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Home » Graduate Program
»  Masters Program

Masters Program

MA Degree

Students may enter the MA program without plans to continue on for the PhD in Anthropology at Penn. Such students are only accepted as MA students when they are admitted to the program. After completing the MA degree they may petition to continue for the PhD; however, such continuation is not automatic.

Students formally accepted into candidacy for the PhD may bypass the MA. However, some students opt to take an MA on the way to the PhD. Possible reasons for doing this (even though it may delay progress towards the PhD) are: 1) the MA is accepted as a qualification for various positions, and therefore enhances possibilities for part‑time employment before completion of the PhD, and 2) an MA project can be a useful trial run for the PhD, allowing the opportunity to make the first step in the proposed PhD research and affording experience in analysis, interpretation, and writing.

Terminal MA

PhD Students whose combined performance in the examination and in the first year's coursework is below standard may be passed only at the level of a terminal MA. In this case they will be advised to complete the ten-course unit requirement and write an acceptable research paper or thesis in order to receive the MA degree. They may then wish to seek advice from members of the GG about other programs that may be more suited to their interests. (Students may enroll for no more than two semesters on Master's Tuition while writing their thesis or research paper.)

Note on readmission following terminal MA: In exceptional circumstances a student who has completed a MA may petition to be readmitted to the Program. Such petitions have in the past been granted only on the basis of an unusually promising MA thesis.

MA First year. All first‑year MA and PhD students must take the following courses:

ANTH 600 Fundamentals of Archaeology

ANTH 602 Fundamentals of Physical Anthropology

ANTH 603 Language and Culture

ANTH 617 Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Culture

This leaves an additional four courses to be taken in the first year. These other courses should be selected in consultation with one's advisor, such that students will be able to move into advanced graduate work in an expeditious manner.

The Comprehensive Examination ("Comps"). MA students must pass a Comprehensive Examination in May of the first year. The Comprehensive Examination is a two-day (four hours each day) examination in general anthropology, based on Core Program courses. Comps is a “closed-book” examination, and Penn’s Code of Academic Integrity applies. There are three possible outcomes of the Comp. Exam: A student may pass at the PhD level, pass at the MA level, or fail the exam.

Note: Comps must be taken at the end of the first year and may be taken only once. Only in rare circumstances does the GG consent to a delay, but never to a re‑take.

MA Thesis or Research Paper. Besides ten course units, the MA requires either a research paper or a thesis. The difference is important. A research paper may be an expanded or improved version of a paper initially written for a course, in which case the criterion for acceptance would be that it demonstrates that the student is capable of independent research. It is normally article length (about 25‑60 pages). After being accepted by the GG the paper remains in the Department's archive. A thesis may also begin in the framework of a course, but it is work that has grown beyond the point of demonstrating the student's research ability and constitutes a recognizable contribution to knowledge. In this case it is bound according to the normal regulations for a dissertation and transmitted to GAS for the final version approval and deposited in the University Library.

Approval of MA Thesis/Research Paper. In either case, to be accepted by the GG the work must be approved by the student's Advisor (Committee Chair) and by a reader (chosen by the Advisor or the GGC). Once approved, the student's advisor notifies the GGC and GPA, who then notify the GG and make the paper available in the Conference Room ("tabling") for comments. If at the end of one week there are no objections GAS is informed that all requirements for the MA have been satisfactorily met. If there are objections, the procedures detailed below for PhD dissertations are followed.

Master's Thesis Style Guide.
http://www.upenn.edu/VPGE/masters.html

Statute of limitations for the MA. Six years is the maximum time allowed by GAS for completion of all requirements for the MA, except for a thesis, for which an extra year may be taken.

MS DEGREE - This program has been closed and we are no longer accepting applications for this degree as of November 2009

 

Submatriculation for MA  Degree.

Material taken from the College website:

http://www.college.upenn.edu/degree/submatric/policies/application.php

http://www.college.upenn.edu/degree/submatric/policies/index.php

Submatriculation Application

Students are encouraged to apply for submatriculation during the fall semester of the junior year. They may apply during the spring semester of the sophomore year. Under no circumstances will a student be admitted to the program after the end of the seventh semester. Applications may be obtained from the department GPA.

The application for all submatriculation programs except the Law School must be approved by the student's major advisor, the graduate chair of the proposed program, and Dr. Srilata Gangulee in the College Office. In addition, the student must file an application for admission to the relevant graduate program and comply with the procedures involved in the graduate admission process.

Choosing a Graduate Program

The choice to apply to a graduate program in Arts and Sciences or to another school's graduate program need not coincide with the current major, though for many this is the case. For instance, an International Relations major may choose to take an M.A. in Regional Science, or an English major may choose to take an M.S. in Secondary Education in the Graduate School of Education. Since criteria for admission into the graduate programs are different for each school and department, the student's decision-making process should include inquiries into these admission requirements.

Continuing for a Ph.D.

Most Ph.D. programs require a minimum of 12 courses beyond a master's program, giving advanced standing for 8 graduate courses completed for the master's degree. However, some schools and programs may have different policies governing coursework taken in a submatriculation program. Some doctoral research funding agencies may actually disqualify students from receiving certain kinds of support because of their advanced standing. If students are likely to pursue a Ph.D., they are strongly encouraged to apply directly for the doctoral program rather than submatriculating into a master's program.

Financial Aid

Submatriculation programs are intended to be completed within the prescribed four undergraduate years. If a student is currently a financial aid recipient, the master's degree may be entirely covered by undergraduate aid. If studies extend beyond the four years, however, students must consult with Student Financial Services and the relevant graduate school and department for further information regarding financial assistance.

Policies Governing Submatriculation.

The minimum course requirement for the master's degree is 10 course units. Courses earning credit for the master's degree must be at the graduate level as specified by the graduate program, usually at the 400 level and above.

In any submatriculation program, a maximum of 4 course units at the graduate level may be included in both the B.A. and the M.A. degrees. These four courses may be part of the major requirements or the electives of the undergraduate program, but may not include courses in independent study.

Graduate courses taken prior to admission into a submatriculation program in Arts and Sciences cannot be applied toward a master's degree.

Independent study courses applied to the master's degree in the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences may not be taken as part of the B.A. degree requirements, must be numbered at the 600 level and above, and must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

College students submatriculating in sas graduate programs are expected to complete both degrees in four years. They may not extend their
undergraduate program without special permision. If permission is granted, the student must notify the GPA who will have the student’s status changes, after receiving their Bachelor of Arts degree, to be considered solely graduate students.

The submatriculating student should go to the graduate school office in November of the student’s senior year to ensure that papers for the m.a. are in order.
See see www.college.upenn.edu/degree/submatric/policies/ for additional policies for specific submatriculation programs.

Residency

All coursework for a master’s degree from Arts and Sciences must be completed at Penn. No transfer, study abroad, or study away courses will be accepted. Requirements for non-Arts and Sciences programs may vary.