2024-2025 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog
Applied Anthropology, M.A.
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The MA in Applied Anthropology is a relevant and flexible program focused on building competitive, marketable skills. Applied anthropology is the application of anthropological perspectives, methods, theories, and practices to human and environmental problems in academic, professional, and global contexts. Applied anthropology crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries and is relevant to students with backgrounds in the sciences, the humanities, and professional studies. Students prepare for a variety of careers in today’s academic, non-academic, and increasingly global job market.
The program begins with an on-campus/online orientation around the first week of the semester, during which students build camaraderie and are introduced to the program, department, and institutional resources. The program core courses are online, and students choose between online and on-campus electives. There are three options for culminating experience: a comprehensive exam (default), project, or thesis.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing this program will:
- Communicate substantive knowledge of the field of applied anthropology, and adeptly apply disciplinary principles, theories, methods and approaches to address complex issues within academic and non-academic settings.
- Demonstrate expertise in a focus area; evaluate, design, and apply relevant research in that area.
- Employ a wide range of graduate level academic and professional skills enabling one to function effectively in academic and non-academic settings.
- Demonstrate professional ethics and social responsibility in anthropological practice.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of our globalized world and recognize multiculturalism and diversity as fundamental characteristics.
Program Admission Requirements
The MA in Applied Anthropology at Humboldt is applicable to students with a variety of interests and background experiences. Students are encouraged to contact the graduate coordinator and Anthropology faculty to discuss their interests prior to applying to the program. The following prerequisites have been set for eligibility to apply to the program:
- Met general Humboldt Graduate Admissions requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree completed prior to beginning the program. Bachelor’s or minor in Anthropology or Archaeology, or coursework/experience that demonstrates familiarity with the discipline and sufficient preparation to pursue the intended area of study in the MA program.
- GPA: Minimum 2.5 required by Cal Poly Humboldt. In addition, this program requires a minimum 3.0 overall, or in undergraduate major, or in last 60 attempted units of bachelor’s degree. Exceptions may be possible on a case-by-case basis if an applicant can demonstrate potential for maintaining the minimum 3.0 GPA required for graduate students, for example through excellent performance in postgraduate coursework.
- GRE scores are not required, but applicants may submit them if they desire.
- Relevant field/research/applied experience in focus area preferred but not required.
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Requirements for the Master’s Degree (33 units)
For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below, please see, “Master’s Degree Requirements ”.
Core Courses (21-24 Units)
Elective Courses (9-12 Units)
- Students who choose the comprehensive exam option (ANTH 691 ) are required to complete 12 units of approved elective courses.
- Students who choose to complete a thesis or project (ANTH 690 ) are required to complete 9 units of approved elective courses.
- All electives must be advisor-approved as relevant to emphasis or career trajectory. If emphasis changes, alternate electives may be required, at the discretion of the advisor. Electives must be graduate level or upper division undergraduate level and may be taken at Cal Poly Humboldt or other universities where credits are transferable. Graduate level courses taken prior to the program, may be used to fulfill elective requirements, if not counted toward any other degree, and taken within seven years of completion of the MA degree.
- The following are Anthropology graduate level electives that may fulfill elective requirements with advisor approval. Students may also select other courses with advisor approval.
Internship/Field Placement Requirement (ANTH 682)
Students are required to complete 135 hours of advisor-approved field placement (internship) that is focused on gaining hands-on applied experience in the emphasis area. Field school(s) may fulfill some but not all internship hours, at the discretion of the advisor, but only if such hours are in excess of any hours for which academic credit (units) are earned and applied to meet program requirements.
Culminating Experience Options
All students enter the program on track to complete a comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam consists of three areas chosen in consultation with the advisor, writing of annotated bibliographies in these areas, then taking a written and/or practical exam covering the three areas.
Students wishing to complete a thesis or project must submit a proposal, receive approval, and meet the following requirements: completed at least 15 units of coursework toward the MA degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above; and demonstrated proficiency in research and writing skills. Exceptions to the requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis if the student can otherwise document sufficient preparation to successfully complete a thesis/project. Any such exceptions must be approved by the advisor, committee, graduate coordinator, and anthropology department chair.
There is a required oral defense of the thesis/project, either in-person or via video conferencing.
Skills
In addition to other requirements, students are expected to evince a mastery of subjects /skills pertinent to their culminating experience and career trajectories. This may include taking specific elective courses, participating in workshops/trainings/fieldwork, and/or demonstrating practical skills. Any such requirements will be set by the advisor with approval from the graduate coordinator.
Grade and Progress Requirements, Continuous Enrollment Requirements, and Leave of Absences
Each semester students are expected to maintain at least a B (3.0) average and pass all courses with a B- or better. If the culminating experience is not expected to be completed on schedule, students are required to enroll in at least one unit each fall and spring until work is complete. Extension of culminating experience completion deadlines must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator. Students must file a formal “leave of absence” application if they are unable to continue enrollment. The department reserves the right to dismiss from the program a student who does not make academically adequate and timely progress in moving through degree requirements.
Conduct Requirements
Students are expected to maintain professional conduct and abide by ethical standards, in all aspects of and activities related to the program, in anthropological research and activities, and in all situations where they represent, or their behavior/actions reflect upon, the program and/or the discipline. The department reserves the right to dismiss from the program a student who does not abide by these rules.
Semester 1: Fall (9 Units)
Semester 2: Spring (9 Units)
Semester 3: Fall (9 Units)
Semester 4: Spring (6 Units)
*Note: Take ANTH 682 for a total of 3 units, and electives for other units. Take a total of 12+ units of electives if on exam track, and 9+ units of electives if on thesis/project track.
Part-Time Timeline (can be modified)
Semester 1: Fall (3-6 units)
Semester 2: Spring (3-6 units)
Semester 3: Fall (3-6 units)
Semester 4: Spring (3-6 units)
Semester 5 Fall (3-6 units)
Semester 6: Spring (3-6 units)
*Take ANTH 671 once, take ANTH 676 once, take ANTH 682 for a total of 3 units. For electives, take 12+ units electives if on exam track and 9+ units electives if on thesis/project track. It is recommended that you distribute these evenly - which means taking a total of 6 units per semester for most semesters.
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