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.  We reserve the right not to admit otherwise qualified students whose interests do not fit the strengths of the department.  The departmental deadline for submitting applications for admission is March 15 of the preceding Spring semester. Applicants must submit their application packets to Admissions & Records at least two months before the departmental deadline –no later than January 15.  The department cannot consider applicants for admission unless both the CSUN and departmental portions of the application have been received.

Students may be admitted as either classified or unclassified. “Classified” means students have completed all the prerequisites to graduate coursework, and may take 600-level classes. Unclassified students have not yet completed all their prerequisites, and 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

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	X	X	X
696B	X	X	X
697	Enroll in this during semester you take exams
698		Research and write thesis; enroll the semester you plan to complete thesis. 3 units maximum	Research and write thesis; enroll the semester you plan to complete thesis. 3 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 may be fulfilled by passing the MA Language test in an appropriate field research language.  The alternative option of taking a suite of approved courses in statistics, GIS, film editing, etc..., must be formally approved, in writing, by both the graduate coordinator and the student’s thesis advisor.  Please note that students entering the program beginning Fall 2008 and later are required to have Anthro 475 or Anthro 473 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 completing the Master's degree program in Anthropology should be able to:

1. Analyze characteristics of human diversity across space and time from an anthropological perspective
2. Analyze the evolutionary process particularly as it relates to primate and specifically hominin evolution
3. Analyze biological and behavioral variation among human and non-human primates in context
4. Analyze the concept of culture as a fundamental principle in anthropology
5. Analyze the causes and consequences of cultural diversity, social inequalities and change in human societies
6. Analyze anthropological theories and paradigms, how they have changed over time and how they are applied to explain fundamental aspects of the human condition such as cultural diversity and social change
7. Independently conceptualize, collect, describe, analyze and interpret anthropological evidence according to generally accepted professional practice
8. Analyze ethics as they pertain to 21st century anthropology
9. Examine how anthropology may be used to engage in contemporary issues
10. Communicate effectively using anthropological standards
11. Synthesize and evaluate current issues and debates in the subfields of anthropology

 

Graduate Program Application (.pdf)

Undergraduate Program

Experimental Programs/Special Topic Courses

Extended Education

 

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