Program Overview

Master of Arts in Material Culture (Human Ecology)

The Department of Human Ecology offers a PhD in Human Ecology, and masters degrees in Textiles and Clothing, Material Culture, Family Ecology and Practice, and Aging. Students come from a variety of academic backgrounds and upon graduation have taken employment in a wide range of careers in social service agencies, museums and cultural agencies, government, research and teaching.

Why Study This Program?

The Master of Arts in Material Culture (Human Ecology) program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of material culture and its significance in human ecology. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in social service agencies, museums and cultural agencies, government, research, and teaching.

Entrance Requirements

For the PhD program, the Departments minimum admission requirements are a thesis-based masters degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

• Applicants who have the equivalent of an honors baccalaureate degree in a related field from a recognized institution, and who present a minimum admission GPA of 3.7 on a 4-point scale, or its equivalent, may also be considered for admission to the doctoral program.
• Applicants also will be required to provide evidence of research potential as demonstrated by previous scholarly work.

For the MSc or MA degrees, the Departments minimum admission requirements are a four-year bachelors degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

• An applicant proceeding from either a three-year program in a related field, or a four-year program in a different field, may be admitted as a qualifying student.
• Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency.
• Any one of the following is acceptable:
  • A minimum TOEFL score of 92 (Internet-based) or equivalent.
  • A minimum IELTS overall band score of 6.5.

Applicants to all programs are also required to submit:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Goals and Objectives Form
• Three letters of reference from individuals knowledgeable about their academic and research capabilities
• PhD applicants must also submit a writing sample

In addition, all graduate students must have a faculty member agree to supervise their program before admission is approved.

Program Requirements

Thesis-based MA

• Students are required to complete a minimum of 20 units in coursework and a thesis.
• Coursework (20 units):
  • HECOL 661
  • HECOL 662
  • HECOL 691
  • HECOL 692
  • 6 units in qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and/or statistics
  • A minimum of 6 units in additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation.
• Thesis:
  • Registration in 900-level THES. All candidates are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral.

Course-based MA

• Students are required to complete a minimum of 26 units in coursework including a 6-unit capping exercise.
• Coursework (20 units):
  • HECOL 661
  • HECOL 662
  • HECOL 691
  • HECOL 692
  • A minimum of 12 units in additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping exercise.
    • For students who choose a practicum capping exercise, HECOL 508 is recommended
• Capping Exercise (6 units):
  • The capping exercise may be an applied project or a practicum.
  • HECOL 900 - Directed Research Project
  • OR
  • HECOL 613 - Graduate Practicum in Human Ecology

Ethics Requirement

• Students must meet the GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 (for both masters and doctoral students) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Professional Development Requirement

• Students may use some of the HECOL Professional Seminars to count towards their GPS Professional Development Requirement. See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information. The Professional Development Requirement may also be fulfilled through registration in HECOL 508.

Academic Standing Requirement

• Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with no grade less than B- throughout the course of their program.
• Failure to maintain the required academic standing will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Chair Graduate Program to GPS that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.

Residence Requirement

• For students in the thesis-based program, there is a residence requirement of two, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
• For students in the course-based program, there is no residence requirement.

Length of Program

• The time to complete the masters degree will vary with the individual candidate; however, a minimum of two years is normally required for the thesis route and a minimum of one year of full-time study for the course-based degree.
• The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.
• The maximum time to complete the course-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

Courses

• Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the subject heading Human Ecology (HECOL).

Tuition and Fees

• A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available for well-qualified students.
• For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies site.

Scholarships and Financial Support

• The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising.
• Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.