• University Requirements

Master's Degree

The Department of Anthropology offers the thesis type master of arts and master of science degrees. Acceptance into the degree programs is based on a satisfactory Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score (minimum 1000), an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, the applicant's statement of interest and career objectives, three letters of recommendation, and available space within the program.

Depending upon the student's background and the type of program selected, a minimum of thirty one (31) semester hours of course credits are required, of which at least eighteen (18) must be taken on a letter grade basis. Individual programs are planned by the student and the student's faculty adviser.

Effective fall semester 1989, all candidates for the master's degree in anthropology must meet the same University wide foreign language requirement as described specifically for the master of arts degree at The Florida State University. Students working toward the master of arts degree also must complete a University wide humanities requirement.

Both requirements are described in the Graduate Bulletin. The master of science degree must also satisfy the foreign language requirement but not the humanities requirement. Special regulations outlining the several programs offered are available from the department.

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Doctoral Degree

The Department of Anthropology at Florida State University has recently (2000) initiated a Doctoral Degree program.

Upon admission, the doctoral student's Master's degree program will be evaluated by the departmental doctoral studies committee. Recommendations will be made regarding major field area selections, sufficiency of the Master's program, elective course work at the doctoral level, and appropriate language proficiency.

To be eligible for admission, an applicant must have an M.A. or M.S. degree in anthropology from an accredited college or university. Each student will declare a major field within anthropology: in sociocultural anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, or archaeological anthropology.

General Ph.D. Requirements

Language Requirement: The doctoral studies committee will evaluate the student's language preparation and make recommendations regarding the appropriate level of language proficiency. Students must demonstrate reading competency of anthropological literature in at least one foreign language.

A qualifying examination, with both written and oral components, will be taken when at least 30 credit hours of course work have been completed by the student. The student, with the advice of his or her committee, will identify three areas within the major field. The written exam will be tailored to the student's program of studies. The oral examination will concentrate on the major field areas and the dissertation topic. The written examination will be prepared by the members of the student's committee and one member of the departmental doctoral studies committee.

A dissertation prospectus is due within six weeks of passing the qualifying examination. It is expected that the full dissertation committee will meet for the defense of the prospectus. The dissertation committee is composed of at least three eligible members of the Department of Anthropology faculty and one outside member of the Florida State University graduate faculty.

A dissertation and oral defense of dissertation. Dissertation credit hours are anticipated to include fieldwork, data collection and analysis, synthesis, and writing. An oral defense of the dissertation will be held by the dissertation committee and candidate on completion of the dissertation. The dissertation must be available to the committee members at least one month before the defense may be scheduled.

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Doctoral Degree in Humanities

The Florida State University offers an interdepartmental doctoral program in humanities. Some areas of anthropological interest, e.g., historical archaeology, may be appropriate for this program. Students interested in this program should contact the director of the Program in Humanities for further information.