Sample Schedule: M.A. Forensic Anthropology

Thesis or Professional Paper Plan Option

30 Credits

Year 1: Autumn Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Meet with advisor to develop a study plan
  • Take ANTH 500
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Take Anthropology Graduate Seminar

Year 1: Spring Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Take ANTH 512
  • Take a physical anthropology graduate seminar
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Develop a detailed M.A. Project Proposal
  • Develop a M.A. Project committee

Year 2: Autumn Semester (minimum 6 credits)

  • Take ANTH 593: Professional Project or 599 Thesis (3cr)
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • File application for graduation with Grad School
  • Do M.A. project research

Year 2: Spring Semester (minimum 6 credits)

  • Take ANTH 593 or 599 (3cr)
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Write thesis or professional paper. (Turn in first draft before spring break if you intend to finish by May)
  • Defend thesis or professional paper (Don't wait until finals week)
  • File final draft of thesis of professional paper at Grad School

Non-Thesis Plan Option

36 Credits

Year 1: Autumn Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Meet with advisor to develop a study plan
  • Take ANTH 500
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Take Anthropology Graduate Seminar

Year 1: Spring Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Take ANTH 512
  • Take a physical anthropology graduate seminar
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Develop a detailed proposal for a scholarly work or portfolio of scholarly works as the M.A. project
  • Develop a M.A. Project committee
  • Pass comprehensive evaluation administered by project committee

Year 2: Autumn Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Take ANTH 597: Research (3cr)
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Take Anthropology Graduate Seminar
  • File application for graduation with Grad School
  • Do M.A. scholarly work

Year 2: Spring Semester (minimum 9 credits)

  • Take ANTH 597 (3cr)
  • Take forensic Anthropology background classes if needed, otherwise take remedial classes or electives.
  • Finalize M.A. scholarly
  • File final draft of scholarly work at Anthropology Department Office

Notes

  • Forensic Anthropology Background Classes. You may have taken these classes as an undergraduate. Here are the equivalences: ANTH 310: Human Variation: Any class on human variation. Grad students may not take ANTH 310 and should take ANTH 510 instead. ANTH 314: Prin of Forensic Anth: Any lecture-only class on forensic anthropology. Grad students may not take ANTH 314, if you have not taken this class as an undergraduate enroll in ANTH 496 with Skelton and attend ANTH 314 (extra work beyond that required for undergraduates will be required). ANTH 401: Anth Data Analysis: Any class on statistics. ANTH 412: Osteology: Any lab or lecture + lab class covering human skeletal anatomy. ANTH 413: Forensic Mortuary Archaeology or ANTH 466: Archaeological Survey. Any field archaeology class or project ANTH 450: Archaeology Theory: Any class on Archaeological Theory ANTH 488: Forensic Sci Tech: Any class on general forensic science
  • To appoint a thesis or professional paper committee round up 3 UM faculty members (the chair must be from anthropology and one member must be from another department) then discuss your choices with the Department Administrative Assistant, who will do the rest.
  • ANTH grad seminars are classes numbered ANTH 500-589, 595, or 600-694. Also note that ANTH 512 (Advanced Forensic Anthropology) may be taken twice.
  • Remedial classes. One class in each of the four subfields of anthropology is required, either taken as an undergraduate or taken before graduating with the M.A. degree.
  • The appropriate Physical Anthropology Graduate Seminars are courses numbered 510 through 519, excluding ANTH 512. 
  • This form requires a fee to be paid to the Graduate School. Be sure to save your receipt

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