DEGREE PROGRAMS

Master of Arts Degree
Master of Science Degree
Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Anthropology seeks to understand the nature and origins of human biological variability, cultural diversity, and social formations through systematic exploration, scientific examination, and the application of theory to human populations and their artifacts, including their social configurations, past and present.

Although anthropology has historically been most successful in the analysis of small sociocultural systems, its current challenge is to situate the direct objects of study in their global contexts in both space and time. The discipline draws freely on various fields of study in the humanities and in the social and natural sciences, and its diversity today is such that no single central mission earns a wide consensus. While training in the traditional four subfields of archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and social/cultural anthropology are offered in the Department, students are encouraged to specialize along tracks that cross these sub-disciplinary boundaries.

A central objective of graduate training in anthropology is the ability to develop an original research design and to communicate the research findings in a research paper, thesis, or dissertation of publishable quality. To this end, all recipients of graduate degrees submit and defend formal written demonstration of their ability to apply appropriate analysis to an original research project, except for the MS degree for which an oral demonstration of ability is required.

The Master of Arts Degree

The Master of Arts degree in anthropology is awarded to students who demonstrate a substantial command of the subject matter of the discipline and an ability to engage in the professional pursuits of anthropologists as defined above.

Admission to the Masters Degree Program: A baccalaureate degree - not necessarily in the discipline of anthropology - or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university, is required for admission. All applicants must submit recent GRE scores and a statement of career goals along with the application. Students from countries in which English is not the primary language must also submit TOEFL scores; additionally, all foreign students must provide immigration forms guaranteeing financial support.

Degree Requirements for the Masters Degree: For the masters degree in anthropology, a student must: (effective for all students entering the program from Fall 1999)

1. pass with a B- or better four 4-credit courses from the identified subfield distribution lists (see list below), including at least one course in Sociocultural Anthropology and in each of two additional subfields. Specific courses selected must be approved by the student's principal adviser.

2. pass with a B- or better at least six (6) additional credits (exclusive of ANTH 580, 590, 591 (or equivalent) and including no more than 4 credits of ANTH 597 and/or ANTH 599); these may be chosen from the identified subfield distribution courses, or from other courses offered within or outside of the Department (but no more than four credits taken outside of Anthropology may be counted). Specific courses selected must be approved by the student's principal adviser.

3. pass ANTH 501 (History of Anthropological Thought) and ANTH 504 (Current Issues and Debates in Anthropology) with grades of B- or better.

4. complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale, where A = 4). Additional credits beyond this minimum may be required in order to meet the academic goals established in consultation with the student's principal adviser.

5. present a colloquium to their advisor and reader in the third semester of full-time registration in which the research plans for the master's thesis or two-paper option are presented. For part-time students, the colloquium must be presented prior to the completion of thirty graduate credits.

6. satisfy the foreign language requirement (see below).

7. submit an acceptable masters thesis; or, in lieu of the thesis, and with the approval of the instructors to whom the papers were originally submitted, offer two research papers (the "two-paper option") to fulfill the final requirement for the masters degree. The choice between these options must be approved by the student's principal adviser. (See appendix 1 in "Guidelines to Graduate Study").

Foreign Language Requirement: Students are required to demonstrate an ability to read research literature in a major language of scholarship other than English. This language requirement may be fulfilled in a number of ways. Students may undertake to translate, or to read and be examined on, a journal article of about 10 pages selected with the advice and consent of the principal adviser. Alternatively, students may take a translation exam, supervised within the Department or through the Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP); exam passages are typically about 500 words long and the student, using a dictionary, is given 2 hours in which to complete a working translation. Students who need to acquire reading knowledge of an appropriate foreign language are encouraged to register for TRIP 707 "Foreign Language Research Proficiency," a variable-credit course designed to bring the student to reading competence by the end of one semester.

Distribution Requirement: The following courses are applicable toward the subfield distribution requirement:

Archaeology

ANTH 551 Strategies of Archaeology
ANTH 552 History of Archaeological Theory and Practice
ANTH 554 Archaeological Study of Cultural Systems
ANTH 576 Problems in Archaeological Area Studies

Biological Anthropology

ANTH 515 Evolutionary Theory
ANTH 540 Human Skeletal Biology
ANTH 543 Human Biological Variation
ANTH 547 Anthropological Genetics
ANTH 549 Medical Anthropology
ANTH 572G Reproductive Ecology
ANTH 572N Molecular Lab

Linguistics

ANTH 517 Linguistic Anthropology
ANTH 521 Descriptive Linguistics
ANTH 524 Topics in Linguistic Anthropology (524A-M)
ANTH 568 Language & Development

Sociocultural Anthropology

All courses listed for sociocultural fulfill requirement except ANTH 518, ANTH 519, ANTH 530, or ANTH 531.

Independent Studies: Independent study provides a means for students to build upon a foundation of regular offerings/instruction. It serves to expand the curriculum in the form of guided readings and research. Independent study credits will normally be accumulated beyond the minimum degree requirements by students concerned to build depth in topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses. Independent studies are generally available only to students who have completed 24 credit hours of regular graduate instruction. Further, independent study credit is usually not counted toward the minimum 30 credit hours required for the MA degree.

For further information, be certain to consult the most recent Graduate School Student Handbook.

Guidelines for Graduate Study in Anthropology: Students are advised to consult the Department's "Guidelines for Graduate Study" for additional information regarding graduate orientation, funding, time-to-degree expectations, and degree requirements.

The Master of Science Degree

The Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Anthropology is awarded to students who demonstrate a command of subject matter and applied professional competency in biomedical anthropology to allow them to move into a variety of health-related professions that require interdisciplinary, innovative and versatile professionals. It is expected that such a program will give each student the necessary fundamental knowledge and methods with which to further develop professionally in an era when available biomedical dollars and positions are skyrocketing.

Admission to the Master of Science Degree Program: Applicants to the program holding a baccalaureate degree in anthropology, biology, nursing, pre-medicine, public and international health, psychology and other sciences and social sciences are invited to apply. All applicants must submit recent GRE scores and a "statement of career goals". International students, particularly those in the medical and public health professions, will find this program of benefit. Students from countries in which English is not the primary language must submit TOEFL scores; all foreign students must provide immigration forms guaranteeing financial support.

Degree Requirements for the Master of Science Degree: For the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Anthropology, a student must:

1. pass ANTH 501 (History of Anthropological Thought) with a grade of B- or better.

2. pass with a grade of B- or better 38 additional course credits.

3. satisfactorily complete a one-credit summer internship.

4. successfully complete an oral examination administered by program faculty at the completion of the second year of study. (There is no thesis requirement.)

Required Courses:

Anth 540 Human Skeletal Biology
Anth 543 Human Biological Variation
Anth 544 Forensic Anthropology
Anth 559 Molecular Anthropology/Genetics
Anth 572S Multivariate Statistics: Multivariate
Anth 572B Methods in Biological/Biomedical Anthropology
Anth 572K International Health
Anth 572L Laboratory Practicum
Scientific Integrity/Ethics (or similar 1 credit)

Similar courses, which have been successfully completed by the student, may be waived by the committee and an elective or more advanced course substituted.

Foreign Language Requirement: There is no foreign language requirement for the M.S. degree.

Financial Aid: Several Graduate Assistantships are available through the Program, and through specific professors who have ongoing laboratory and field research. Students should apply directly to the Program Director or to individual professors. Generally, assistantships are not available for the first semester. Students may also apply for financial aid consideration directly to the Student Financial Aid and Employment Office , Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

Prospective students are advised to consult the program website: http://anthro.binghamton.edu or http://biomedical.binghamton.edu for detailed information about the M.S. program. Further inquiries or requests for copies of the prospectus may be addressed to Professor Ralph M. Garruto (rgarruto@binghamton.edu).

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology is awarded to students who have shown mastery of the general materials of anthropology and a substantial command of the specialized subject matter of one or more of the four subfields, and who have successfully carried out and formally presented research judged to constitute an original contribution to the discipline.

Admission to the Doctoral Program:
Students without substantial experience beyond the BA are not normally admitted directly to the PhD program. Although an MA is required neither for admission nor for the completion of the PhD, most students complete an MA in the course of their doctoral studies, either by submitting a thesis or through the two-paper option (see MA requirements). Continuing students must receive a grade of Pass or High Pass on the MA Comprehensive Exam in order to be admitted to the doctoral program.

Applicants with graduate work in other universities are required to submit GRE aptitude test scores along with their applications, TOEFL where applicable (see MA Program admission requirements).

Course Requirements for the Doctoral Degree in Anthropology
Minimum credits satisfying masters requirements
	(subfields, ANTH 501 and 504, and electives)	30
	Electives (exclusive of ANTH 580, 590, 591, 599, 698, 699, and including no more than 8 credits of ANTH 597, and not more than 8 credits of course work outside of anthropology) to be chosen with the advice of the student's guidance committee and the written approval of its chair.	26
	ANTH 699, Dissertation, as required to maintain registration after admission to candidacy
Total minimum credit hours		56

Students who have completed an MA at another university or in another discipline may request credit for up to 30 credit hours toward the PhD, and they may request exemption from one or more of the subfield distribution requirements on the basis of previous graduate coursework in the relevant area. Students should address such requests to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Foreign Language and Research Skill:
See language requirement for the masters degree. Students having completed an MA at another university that required a language examination may submit evidence of having satisfied this requirement. In some instances, the choice of research area by the student may require demonstration of additional language proficiency (e.g. due to a lack of relevance of the language competence previously demonstrated). Students should seek the advice of the members of their doctoral committee regarding appropriate language and research skills for the pursuit of their individualized programs of study.

Admission to Candidacy:
To be admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in anthropology, a student must have satisfied at least the minimal course credits requirement (at least 56 hours, exclusive of courses graded below B-, with a GPA of 3.5 or better) and language requirements as determined by the student's doctoral committee. In addition, a student must (1) pass a written examination covering three literature areas (one of which may be a regional competency examination), (2) propose a dissertation research project in colloquium before the Department, and (3) pass an oral examination administered by the guidance committee in which questions address both the written exam and the colloquium. Within six months after admission to candidacy, a student must (4) submit a dissertation prospectus approved by the student's doctoral committee.

Granting the Degree:
Each doctoral candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete an original research project and submit the findings in a dissertation acceptable to the student's dissertation committee. Upon approval by this committee, the dissertation must be defended in a public defense attended by the candidate's committee, an outside reader appointed by and representing the Dean of the Graduate School, and any others who wish to attend. A successful defense and submission of the dissertation to the Graduate School complete the requirements for awarding the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in anthropology.

Guidelines for Graduate Study in Anthropology:
Students are advised to consult the Department's "Guidelines for Graduate Study" for additional information regarding graduate orientation, mentoring, funding, time-to-degree expectations, and degree requirements.

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