While some students seek a Master’s degree in preparation for continued doctoral study, students may also be admitted for a Terminal Master’s degree with the intent of earning one of the department’s graduate certificates, such as the Certificate in Public Archaeology. Students seeking a Master’s degree rather than a Ph.D. should indicate their intention on their application for admission.
Click here to download the current Graduate Program and Policies document. The policies that apply to you depend on the semester in which you matriculated into the program.
Application Requirements
The application requirements are the same as for students ultimately seeking the Ph.D. degree, with the exception of the application deadline.
Application Deadline
Applications for students seeking the Terminal Master’s Degree are due March 15 for matriculation in the following Fall semester.
Requirements for the Terminal Master’s with Certificate
Most of the stated requirements for the general Master’s degree apply to Terminal Master’s students, including 30 credit hours of courses taken with a minimal GPA of 3.0 (3.5 for Anthropology coursework), the formation of a supervisory committee consisting minimally of a Chair and two Members, and adequate progress towards earning the degree.
Where requirements differ is that students in this degree program are expected to do the following to demonstrate progress:
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- complete the requirements for a graduate certificate
- choose the non-thesis option, producing a publishable-quality paper, technical report, management plan, public outreach media, or similar product related to the student’s career interests as reflected in internship experience, if any, and subject to approval of the supervisory committee
- take a comprehensive exam. Exams may be standardized for all students in a cohort seeking a particular graduate certificate.
Terminal Master’s students are not expected do the following to demonstrate progress:
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- apply for department funding
- teach courses as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate
- obtain their own grants
- publish their work
Certification for the Ph.D. Degree
Students who complete the Terminal Master’s degree may not be certified for the Ph.D. by their supervisory committee. If they seek the Ph.D. degree, they must apply again to the department in the usual manner, fulfilling all admission requirements and deadlines.