The CSULB Department of Anthropology offers two forms of an MA in Anthropology. 1) a Master of Arts (M.A.) Option in Applied (socio-cultural) Anthropology (http://www.csulb.edu/programs/applied-anthro/), and 2) a general Anthropology Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
The program is designed to meet the needs of students who are seeking to expand their knowledge and increase their competence in Anthropology, or those who wish to pursue applied anthropological work locally or globally, or for those who are preparing for advanced academic careers such as doctoral programs.
DEADLINES:
APRIL 15, 2009 - DEPARTMENT DEADLINE (be sure to send in two applications - the university application, and the department application. Read below for more information)
November 1st - The University application period for the next Fall Semester begins on November 1 and until capacity is reached;
April 15 - the Department of Anthropology application deadline is April 15.
February 1 - Consideration for early admission starts February 1st. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
See below for admissions and application requirements.
Graduate Advisor, Dr. Ron Loewe (rloewe@csulb.edu)
ADMISSION
Applicants normally must fulfill the following prerequisites:
1. Satisfy the requirements for admission to the University as a graduate student (see http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/html/graduate_programs.html
2. (a) A bachelor’s degree in anthropology; or
(b) bachelor’s degree with 24 units of upper division courses
in anthropology, comparable to those required of anthropology
majors at this University; or
(c) hold a B. A. in another field, either a social science, humanity, education or medical science one [depending on which concentration they are applying for], with fewer than 24 units of upper-division course work in anthropology and show evidence of strong potential skills in anthropology. Students under category (c) should submit a petition together with whatever supporting materials recommended by the Graduate Advisor, in addition to those normally required for admission [see below]. Applicants in this category may also be required to complete prerequisite courses after conditional admission.
Domestic Students (International students see special instructions on following pages). In addition to their application to the University via the Office of Admissions, including the Student Aid Application for California (SCACC) all prospective graduate students must submit an application directly to the Department of Anthropology. NOTE: Students must apply separately to both the University and the Department of Anthropology for admission to the Graduate Anthropology Program. The University application period for the next Fall Semester begins on November 1 and until capacity is reached; the Department of Anthropology application deadline is April 15. Consideration for early admission starts February 1st. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
The application to the Department must include:
1. A properly completed Department of Anthropology Graduate Student Application Form (available from the Department Office or download the department application form, and reference form).
2. A formal statement of purpose (of about 2 pages), detailing the reasons why you want to conduct graduate work in the Anthropology Program, what you hope to gain professionally from the Program, and a discussion of your short/long term goals.
3. Official transcripts of ALL college or university work to date (including transcripts of course work taken at CSULB). CSULB Admissions Office requires a set in addition to the Department of Anthropology.
4. A research paper or technical report that you feel is representative of your analytical/critical thinking and writing capabilities.
5. Three letters of recommendation from persons well acquainted with your work (recommendation forms are available from the Anthropology Department office or download the document).
6. Evaluation of applications will be on the basis of the above materials. In general, the applicant should have a good overall academic record, favorable recommendations, demonstrated ability to carry out research and to write effectively, and a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 if recently a student.
International Students: All international students should include in their Department application all of the information required for the domestic students (given above). In addition, instead of applying directly to the Office of Admissions, which is required of the domestic students, international students should apply to the Center for International Education (forms are available from CIE, http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/grad_undergrad/cie/). Please note that all information required in this application, such as the Graduate Application Form (along with the required educational documents, and the Affidavit of Support, should be sent directly to the CIE. NOTE: Students should apply to both the Center for International Education and the Department of Anthropology for admission to the Graduate Anthropology Program. The CIE application filing period for the next Fall Semester is November 1-30 (the document completion deadline is May 1), and the Department of Anthropology application deadline is April 15. Consideration for early admission starts February 1st. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
PROGRAM - See the University Catalog for more details.
GENERAL ANTHROPOLOGY MA DEGREE (ANTHMA01)
Requirements:
1. A minimum of 33 units of 400-level upper division and graduate courses, of which 21 units must be at the 500-600 level in a program approved by the Graduate Advisor. These 33 units must include the following courses: ANTH 501, 510, and either 560 or 561 for a total of 9 core units. 6 units of the 33 must be Anth 698 thesis units.
2. Up to 6 units of course work outside the Depratment of Anthropology may be included in the 33 unit total;
3. Competence in appropriate research skills. These may include: familiarity with computer languages and use of computers, or statistical training and facility, or a reading knowledge of a foreign language;
4. A thesis. (We do currently offer a comprehensive examination.)
THESIS
All candidates for the master’s degree in our general Anthropology M.A. degree program must undertake and satisfactorily complete a thesis under the supervision of their Chair and thesis committee. The thesis problem is to be developed by the candidate in consultation with the thesis Chair.
OPTION IN APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY (ANTHMA02)
PLAN 1 - Thesis
The student must complete a minimum of 39 units of 400 upper level upper division and graduate courses in a program approved by the Graduate Advisor. Note: Students may substitue other courses for those normally required, but only with the approval of the Graduate Advisor.
1. ANTH 501, 503, 505, 510, 517, 560, 561, 675 and six units of 698;
2. Three upper division/graduate elective courses related to the students research interest;
3. Satisfy the language requirement. Each student will be consisdered individually in relation to this requirement which may be satisfied by ANTH 570 (if appropriate and recommended by the Graduate Advisor -note, student must have taken Anth 170 before attempting ANTH 570). This requirement must be satisfied before he or she begins work on the thesis;
4. Undertake and satisfactorily complete, under the supervision of the committee, a Thesis. The thesis problem is to be developed by the candidate in consultation with the thesis Chair.
PLAN 2 - Project
The student must complete a minimum of 42 units of 400 upper division and graduate courses in a program approved by the Graduate Advisor. Note: Students may substitute other courses for those normally required, but only with the approval of the Graduate Advisor.
1. ANTH 501, 503, 505, 510, 517, 560, 675.
2. Fifteen upper division/graduate units of courses related to the students' main research interest.
3. Satisfy the language requirement. Each student will be consisdered individually in relation to this requirement which may be satisfied by ANTH 570 (if appropriate and recommended by the Graduate Advisor -note, student must have taken Anth 170 before attempting ANTH 570). This requirement must be satisfied before he or she begins work on the project;
4. Undertake and satsifactorily complete, under the supervision of an advisor, a Project, a written report on the project, and completion of three units of ANTH 698.
INTERNSHIP - ANTH 675
As a special component of the Applied Anthropology program, all applied graduate students are required to enroll in Anthropology 675, ideally in the Fall Semester of their second year, after they have advanced to candidacy. To be supervised by their thesis advisor, the internships must be set up by the individual students to be undertaken. This procedure must include a written contract approved and signed by the sponsoring individual/institution. While the faculty chairing the thesis or project of the student will provide guidance and or suggestions, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to establish the necessary contact leading to and actually establishing the internship. As a means of promoting professionalism, as well as providing remuneration, students are encouraged to select internships that are paid positions. Again, the internship should lead directly to the student’s Master’s Thesis or Project and should be selected accordingly.
For additional information, contact us at:
Department of Anthropology
Dr Ron Loewe, Graduate Advisor
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840-1003
Telephone: (562)985-5171
Email: rloewe@csulb.edu
