Portland-State-University 2014-2015 Bulletin

Anthropology M.A./M.S.

Thesis track

Of the 48 required credits, 36 must be in anthropology and must include:

Courses

Anth 511Core Seminar in Social and Cultural Anthropology

4
Anth 550Core Seminar in Archaeology

4
Anth 570Core Seminar in Physical Anthropology

4
Graduate-level Anthropology Electives (3 courses)

12
Approved graduate-level electives (Anth, non-Anth)

8
An adviser-approved, graduate-level course in research methods

4
Anth 501Thesis Research

4
Anth 503Thesis

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 three of these courses (12 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 two courses (8 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: 48

Applied/Policy track

Of the 52 required credits, 36 must be in anthropology and must include:

Courses

Anth 511Core Seminar in Social and Cultural Anthropology

4
Anth 550Core Seminar in Archaeology

4
Anth 570Core Seminar in Physical Anthropology

4
Anth 515Applied Anthropology

4
Graduate-level Anthropology Electives (2 courses)

8
Approved graduate-level electives (4 courses at least 2 non-Anth)

16
An adviser-approved, graduate-level course in research methods

4
Anth 504Internship

4
Anth 520Policy Paper

4

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 three of these courses (12 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 two courses (8 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: 52

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.

In addition to formal course requirements, the following are also necessary:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Approval of a thesis topic or internship and the appointment of the graduate committee. The student develops a thesis or policy paper proposal and submits it to the department faculty for approval and for the formal appointment of the graduate committee. Students should have a master’s thesis or policy paper 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.
  5. Presentation and approval of thesis or policy paper.
  6. Passing of an oral defense of thesis or policy paper.