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Department of Anthropology College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

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Graduate Program

Graduate students enter the program knowing which subdiscipline (physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics) they wish to emphasize. Students are then expected to demonstrate mastery of their chosen subfield by preparing a thesis of original scholarly research.

Anthropology Program Admission Requirements and Application

Explore the Anthropology Degree Options

ANTHROPOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Admission Requirements

Admission to classified graduate standing in Anthropology requires:

  • A baccalaureate degree;
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 units attempted.

Application Process and Deadlines

Graduate students are considered for admission for the Fall and Spring semester. Be sure to check our application deadlines. To ensure consideration for admission, applicants must submit the following.

1. University Application requirements

  • Auniversity application through CAL STATE APPLY. You will need to create an account.

  • Submit TWO complete sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universitites attended, other than Sacramento State to the Office of Graduate Studies.

MAILING ADDRESS: CSUS Sacramento, Office of Graduate Studies; River Front Center, Room 215, MS 6112, 6000 J Street; Sacramento, CA 95819
2. Departmental Supplemental Application requirements:

Approximately 3 business days after submitting your application, you will receive instructions from the Office of Graduate Studies regarding the process to create a SacLink account and a link to a website where you will need to upload the following department supplemental application requirements.

  • A departmental supplemental application by the posted application deadline for the term applying.
  • Statement of Intent: A letter describing academic background and present interests.
  • Two signed professional letters of recommendation on official letterhead from individuals who can assess the applicant's potential for graduate study.

Current Graduate Students

Resources & Thesis/Dissertation Deadlines

Graduate Student Forms

  • Form A - Newly accepted graduate sutdent must meet with the Graduate Faculty Advisor early in their first semester of starting the program and complete form A.
  • Form B - Newly accepted graduate studenst must meeth with faculty advisors by the end of the first semester to establish a thesis committee and complete form B.
  • Form C - Complete form C after meeting with thesis/project advisor and submit with a copy of approved thesis prospectus and all required signatures.
  • Thesis Add Permit (ANTH 500) - After advancement to candidacy, student may enroll in Anth 500 Master Thesis. Submit completed form to the Anthropology Department Office.

Advancement to Candidacy

Application for Advancement to Candidacy form
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure may begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
  • removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
  • completed at least 12 units of 200-level Anthropology courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
  • completed a Thesis Prospectus Review; and
  • taken the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento or secured approval for a WPG waiver.

Preliminary Examination: Passing the Preliminary Examination is a prerequisite to Advancement to Candidacy.

Note: Students may not enroll in ANTH 500 until Advanced to Candidacy. The student fills out the form after planning a program of study in consultation with his/her Anthropology faculty advisors. The completed Advancement to Candidacy form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Continuous Enrollment

Continuous Enrollment Form - ANTH 599
Classified graduate students normally retain rights to the catalog under which they were classified providing they retain continuous enrollment as defined by the University. Students not maintaining continuous enrollment lose classified graduate standing and will therefore be required to apply for readmission.

Students who have been advanced to candidacy and who have completed all coursework can maintain the required active degree program status without additional University registration by submitting a Continuous Enrollment Form and paying a 'Continuous Enrollment' fee through CCE.* There are no units associated with this enrollment. Continuous enrollment is only valid for as long as the student is within the time period allowed for the completion of the culminating experience requirement (Thesis).

Students who do not finish the thesis or project within the semester of original enrollment in ANTH 500 will receive a grade of Report in Progress (RP) in their thesis course. Provided adequate progress has been made the following three semesters and continuous enrollment is maintained, the 'RP' grade will stand until the thesis or project is completed. If the student does not complete the culminating experience within the 4 semester time limit, he or she will receive a No Credit (N/C) grade for these units. Such students are then required to re-enroll in the culminating requirement (ANTH 500) units before continuing their programs through the Anthropology Department Office by re-submitting a Thesis Add Permit (ANTH 500) form with required approvals.