THESIS TRACK
Of the 45 required credits, 32 must be in anthropology and must include:
- Anth 511 Core Seminar in Social and Cultural Anthropology (4)
- Anth 550 Core Seminar in Archaeology (4)
- Anth 570 Core Seminar in Physical Anthropology (4)
- Graduate-level Anthropology electives (2 courses - 8)
- Approved graduate-level electives (Anth, non-Anth - 9)
- An adviser-approved, graduate-level course in research methods (4)
- Anth 501 Thesis Research (4)
- Anth 503 Thesis (8)
Anth 511, Anth 550, Anth 570: Students may substitute an additional elective course for one of the core courses, with the approval of their adviser.
Graduate-level Electives: At least two of these courses (8 credits) must be in formally numbered graduate-level courses (i.e. courses numbered between Anth 510 - Anth 597 or Anth 610 - Anth 697). With graduate adviser approval, the remaining 9 credits may be in courses numbered 504 or 505 (i.e. Internship, Reading and Conference).
Adviser-approved Research Methods course: This course must be formally numbered and described in the PSU Bulletin. It may not be a course numbered 501/601, 502/602, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607, 508/608, 509/609.
Total Credit Hours: 45
Internship Track
Of the 45 required credits, 32 must be in anthropology and must include:
- Anth 511 Core Seminar in Social and Cultural Anthropology (4)
- Anth 550 Core Seminar in Archaeology (4)
- Anth 570 Core Seminar in Physical Anthropology (4)
- Anth 515 Applied Anthropology (4)
- Graduate-level Anthropology electives (2 courses - 8)
- Approved graduate-level electives (Anth, non-Anth - 9)
- An adviser-approved, graduate-level course in research methods (4)
- Anth 503 Thesis Internship Track (6)
- Anth 504 Cooperative Education/Internship (2)
Anth 511, Anth 550, Anth 570: Students may substitute an additional elective course for one of the core courses, with the approval of their adviser.
Graduate-level Electives: At least two of these courses (8 credits) must be in formally numbered graduate-level courses (i.e. courses numbered between 510-597 or 610-697). With graduate adviser approval, the remaining 9 credits may be in courses numbered 504 or 505 (i.e. Internship, Reading and Conference).
Adviser-approved Research Methods course: This course must be formally numbered and described in the PSU Bulletin. It may not be a course numbered 501/601, 502/602, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607, 508/608, 509/609.
Total Credit Hours: 45
Skills Track (Comprehensive Exams + Portfolio)
Of the 52 required credits, 32 must be in anthropology and must include:
- Anth 511 Core Seminar in Social and Cultural Anthropology (4)
- Anth 550 Core Seminar in Archaeology (4)
- Anth 570 Core Seminar in Physical Anthropology (4)
- Graduate-level Anthropology electives (3 courses - 12)
- Adviser-approved, graduate-level methods electives (3 courses - 12)
- Graduate-level Non-Anthropology electives (2 courses - 8)
- Special Projects (Comprehensive Exams + Portfolio - 8)
Anth 511, Anth 550, Anth 570: Students may substitute an additional elective course for one of the core courses, with the approval of their adviser.
Graduate-level Electives: At least two of these courses (8 credits) must be in formally numbered graduate-level courses (i.e. courses numbered between 510-597 or 610-697). With graduate adviser approval, the remaining course (4 credits) may be in courses numbered 501-505 and 507-509).
Adviser-approved Research Methods course: This course must be formally numbered and described in the PSU Bulletin. It may not be a course numbered 501/601, 502/602, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607, 508/608, 509/609.
Total Credit Hours: 52
TIME TO DEGREE
For students who hold an undergraduate degree in general anthropology or its equivalent, the master's degree may be completed in two to three years. Graduate applicants who lack an undergraduate major in anthropology may be admitted to the program, but completion of the degree may require a more extended period of study. Four calendar years from the term of admission will be the maximum time allowed to complete all requirements for a master’s degree. Terms on approved leave of absence will be charged against the four-year limitation.
OTHER DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to formal course requirements, the following are also necessary:
- Candidates for an MA degree must fulfill the second language requirement. Options for meeting the graduate foreign language requirement for MA students include: A) Passing a course equivalent to PSU level 203 or higher. The Department of World Languages and Literatures will verify completion of the requirement upon evaluation of the student's academic record. B) Students who do not meet the course equivalent should contact the Department of World Languages and Literatures during the first term after their admission to schedule an oral proficiency interview or a written test. Ordinarily the examination is taken in French, Spanish, or German. Other languages may, upon departmental approval, be substituted. Students must complete the foreign language requirement no later than one calendar year following entrance to the program. Foreign Language Requirement Verification Request Forms should be submitted for completion to the Department of World Languages and Literatures and a copy should be given to the Anthropology Department.
- Candidates for an MS degree are strongly encouraged to discuss with their advisers the selection of appropriate courses in science, math, and technical skills that would complement their course of study.
- Advancement to candidacy involves successful passing (a minimum grade of B-) of the core seminars (Anth 511, Anth 550, Anth 570). Advancement to candidacy can only be accomplished before the close of the next-to-the-final term of work.
- For the thesis track, approval of a thesis topic and the appointment of the graduate committee. Students develop a thesis proposal and submit it to the department faculty for approval and for the formal appointment of the graduate committee. Students in the thesis track should have a master’s thesis proposal submitted to and approved by the department faculty as soon as possible following admission to the program, but in no case later than the end of the seventh term (excluding Summer Session) following admission to the program. For students on the thesis track, presentation and approval of thesis and passing of an oral defense of thesis.
- For the internship track, approval of an internship contract (including deliverables), a final paper topic and format, and the appointment of the graduate committee. Students develop an internship contract and final paper score and submit it to the department faculty for approval and for the formal appointment of the graduate committee. Students in the internship track should have an approved internship contract as soon as possible following admission into the program, but in no case later than the end of the fifth term (excluding Summer Session). For students on the internship track, submission of internship deliverable to partnership organization and presentation and approval of the final internship paper.
- For the skills track, approval of a course plan, portfolio content, and the appointment of the graduate committee. Students develop a coursework/portfolio plan and submit it to the department faculty for approval and for the formal appointment of the graduate committee. Students in the skills track should have an approved course plan by the end of their first quarter in the program. For students on the skills track, passing comprehensive exams, submitting and presenting an approved portfolio that demonstrates the skills obtained during the program.
Contact
If you have questions, contact Charles Klein, graduate program coordinator, chklein@pdx.edu.