Program Overview

Introduction to the Applied Anthropology Graduate Major

The Applied Anthropology Graduate Major offers advanced education in anthropology, preparing students to practice their skills in various occupations in both public and private sectors at local, national, and international levels. The MA, MS, and PhD degrees integrate anthropological theory and practice within a specific concentration chosen by the student.

Program Requirements

The program requirements for the MA and MS degrees include:

• Core Requirements:
  • ANTH 575: Theory of Culture (4 credits)
  • ANTH 593: Statistical Applications in Anthropology (1 credit)
  • ANTH 595: Anthropological Research Design (4 credits)
• Major Specialization: Select 12 credits in one of the following options:
  • Archaeology
    • ANTH 531: Archaeological Theory
    • ANTH 535: Cultural Resources: Policy and Procedures
    • ANTH 543: Human Osteology Lab
  • Biocultural Anthropology
    • ANTH 583: Advanced Medical Anthropology
    • ANTH 585: Uses of Anthropology
    • ANTH 591: Ethnographic Methods
  • Cultural/Linguistic Anthropology
    • ANTH 576: Advanced Anthropological Theory Seminar
    • ANTH 585: Uses of Anthropology
    • ANTH 591: Ethnographic Methods
• Supporting Courses in Anthropology: Any combination of 500-level courses as approved by the advisor/committee (12 credits)
• Outside Skills/Minor: Any combination of 500-level courses in another discipline that facilitate student's mastery of knowledge and skills needed to carry out original research as approved by the advisor/committee (15 credits)
• Internship: Select 6-12 credits
• Thesis: Select 6-12 credits
• Seminar: ANTH 507: Seminar (1 credit) or equivalent course

Degree Type Proficiencies

For the Master of Arts degree, the student must show second language proficiency equivalent to that attained at the end of a second-year university course in that language with a grade of "C" (2.00) or better. The Master of Science degree is an option for students specializing in archaeology and biocultural anthropology, where appropriate, pending approval of the major professor. The student must show technical proficiency in areas that emphasize scientific methodological skills.

MAIS Degree

The school also participates in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree program. In other advanced degree programs, anthropology may be used as a minor.

PhD Requirements

Students must have an MA or MS in Anthropology or a related discipline (34 credits). Students must bring in graduate credits to cover the equivalent of the courses central to the MA/MS in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University (20 credits) plus 14 credits of graduate-level Anthropology courses or graduate courses in relevant disciplines as agreed upon by the major professor.

Central Courses of the MA/MS in Applied Anthropology

• Two courses in Anthropological Theory (8 credits)
• Statistics (4 credits)
• Methods (such as Ethnographic Methods or Osteology or Archaeological Methods, etc.) (4 credits)
• Course in Applied Anthropology or Uses of Anthropology (4 credits)
• Total Credits: 20

Specialization Courses

Specialization courses are those that enable students to develop their knowledge in order to do effective comprehensive exams and dissertation work in their particular field of expertise. Students work with their major professor and their Committee to determine what courses will be most helpful for them. Specialization courses must include:

• ANTH 695: Developing their dissertation research project
• Two courses in Anthropology
• 2 credits of "Tan Sack" (ANTH 607)
• All other specialization courses may be within or outside of Anthropology

Second Language Proficiency

Evidenced by passing two years of university-level second language study or by passing the proficiency exam. Must be completed before Comprehensive Exams are taken. A substitution of skill sets is possible for archaeology students in consultation with the major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Minor

Optional

Residency

6 credits: ANTH 610

Comprehensive Exams

9 credits: ANTH 699 Comprehensive Review

Dissertation

36 credits: ANTH 603