The Master of Arts program in Anthropology at CSUN prepares students to enter the profession as trained anthropologists, and is recommended only for those who wish to seriously pursue a career specialization in Anthropology. It requires a higher level of achievement, and places greater emphasis upon independent study and research, than does the BA. Our program emphasizes broad training in three fields of anthropology (archeology, biological anthropology and human evolution, and cultural anthropology) while offering students some flexibility in degree planning and requirements. Department evaluation and approval is required for admission to either classified or unclassified graduate standing. The deadline for admission to the Fall semester is usually in mid-March of the preceding Spring semester. Applicants are urged to submit their application packets to both Admissions & Records and the Department well before the deadline.
Students may be admitted as either classified or unclassified. Classified students are considered to have completed all the prerequisites to graduate coursework, and may take 600-level classes. Unclassified students have one academic year to complete all requirements for classification in order to remain in the program. For a preliminary list of prerequisites for admission, see below. Our MA program offers two tracks: one emphasizing general anthropology, and the other public archeology.
THE GENERAL ANTHROPOLOGY TRACK
The General Anthropology Track offers two alternatives. The terminal MA degree emphasizes a generalist approach, prepares students to teach anthropology at the community college level, and culminates in a series of comprehensive examinations in each of the three fields covered by the department. A more specialized degree option prepares students to enter a Ph.D. program; this path culminates in a thesis under the direction of the faculty. The latter option is designed for students who plan to enter a Ph.D. program in anthropology, but may not have the background or foundational knowledge to enter such a program directly. All students in the General Anthropology track are required to take seminars in each of four areas of anthropology: socio-cultural anthropology, archeology, physical anthropology, and anthropological theory. In addition, students take elective courses to fit with their area of specialization.
THE OPTION IN PUBLIC ARCHEOLOGY
The Public Archeology track prepares students to become cultural resource managers. Public Archeology students are required to take five seminars plus a range of elective courses with an archeological focus, and to complete a research project under the supervision of the Director of the Center for Public Archeology. The Department offers computer facilities, media support, an archeology lab, and physical anthropology labs with extensive collections of bone casts for study. The members of the Anthropology faculty represent a wide range of interests and approaches to the discipline. Information on individual faculty members, their backgrounds and interests is available on the faculty page of this website, or from the department office 818 677-3331. Prospective graduate applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the website and the department to compare their interests with those of existing faculty, to contact the Graduate Advisor as well as faculty they are interested in working with before completing the application process.
Overview of Course Requirements for MA in Anthropology
I. Classification: students who are admitted without Classified Status will have an individual set of requirements to meet. If you are not certain what you need to take in order to be Classified, consult with the Graduate Advisor. Students are required to achieve Classified Status within their first year of graduate work.
II. Once classified (X=required):
General Option
Public Archaeology
Anthro Course
Comprehensive Exams
Thesis
518
(can be taken as an elective)
(can be taken as an elective)
X
601
X
X
X
602
X
X
(can be taken as an elective)
603
X
X
(can be taken as an elective)
606
X
X
X
607
(can be taken as an elective)
(can be taken as an elective)
X
694
X
696A
prepare for comp exam subject #1
prepare annotated bibliography
prepare annotated bibliography
696B
prepare for comp exam subject #2
prepare thesis proposal
prepare thesis proposal
696C
prepare for comp exam subject #3
697
enroll in this during semester take exams (no units given)
698
research and write thesis; 6 units maximum
research and write thesis; 6 units maximum
Electives
Students must take at least 12 units of electives. At least 3 of these units must be at the 500 or 600 level. The other 9 units can be at the 400, 500, or 600 level. With the consent of the Advisor, 6 of these units can be in a department other than Anthropology. See the Catalog for a complete listing. Some restrictions apply to Public Archaeology students.
Research Skill
The research skill requirement can be fulfilled by passing the MA Language test in the appropriate language or by taking an approved course in statistics, GIS, or computer skills. Students should consult with the Graduate Advisor and/or their Thesis Advisor. Please note that students entering the program beginning Fall 2006 are required to have Anthro 475 (or its equivalent) as a condition of classification, so this course will no longer count for the research skill requirement.
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY
FOR THE GENERAL MA TRACK:
CLASSIFIED STATUS
- General university requirements for Classified Status. For those whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, the department requires a minimum score within the 50th percentile on at least 2 sections of the GRE.
- BA degree with a major in Anthropology.
- Students without a major in Anthropology who meet university requirements for admission to Graduate Studies must fulfill certain prerequisites in Anthropology. These may be determined in consultation with the Graduate Advisor, but include the following:
- Math 140 (Introduction to Statistics) or equivalent
- ANTH, 151, ANTH 152 and ANTH 153 or equivalents
- ANTH 303 (Anthropological Thought) or equivalent
- ANTH 473 or ANTH 475 or equivalent
- Completion of Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam.
FOR THE PUBLIC ARCHEOLOGY TRACK:
CLASSIFIED STATUS
- General university requirements for Classified Status. For those whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, the department requires a minimum score within the 50th percentile on at least 2 sections of the GRE.
- BA degree with a major in Anthropology.
- Students without a major in Anthropology who meet university requirements for admission to Graduate Studies must fulfill certain prerequisites in Anthropology. These may be determined in consultation with the Graduate Advisor, but include the following:
- Math 140 (Introduction to Statistics) or equivalent
- ANTH 303 (Anthropological Thought) or equivalent 6. ANTH 427 (Archeology of North America) or equivalent
- ANTH 473 (Archeological Theory and Methods) or equivalent
- ANTH 476A (Field Study in Archeology: Excavation and Survey) or equivalent.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ANTHROPOLOGY
Students who complete the MA program in Anthropology at CSUN are expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of how anthropologists develop and use the concept of culture as a fundamental organizing principle of the discipline (Theoretical Appreciation of the Culture Concept)
2. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of anthropological explanations for social and cultural diversity (Social and Cultural Diversity)
3. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the common heritage, evolutionary processes and biological diversity that produced humankind (Origins of Humans)
4. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the theory and data used to explain the critical processes of social change that produce and reproduce human cultures over time (Social Change Over Time)
5. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of how anthropologists collect, describe, analyze and interpret anthropological data, and how these elements of anthropological research have changed over time (Anthropological Methods and Theories)
6. Demonstrate an understanding of how Anthropology may be used to solve contemporary social problems and enhance the stewardship of cultural resources and heritage (Applied and Public Anthropology)
7. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of current issues and debates in the subfields of Anthropology (Current Issues and Debates)
8. Demonstrate the ability to collect, describe, analyze and interpret anthropological data according to generally accepted anthropological practice (Research Skills)
Graduate Program Application (.pdf)
Experimental Programs/Special Topic Courses
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