Concurrent BA/MA Program in Anthropology

The program leading to concurrent B.A. and M.A. degrees in anthropology is intended as an option for highly qualified undergraduates who have demonstrated a clear commitment to advanced study in anthropology or related fields, and who desire intensive preparation for professional careers without sacrificing the benefits of a liberal education. The department expects that only a very few students will be accepted for participation in this program during any one year.

The concurrent degree option will normally take five years to complete, of which nine semesters will be spent at Wesleyan and a semester, plus one summer, will be devoted to field research. If a student decides to withdraw from the program at the end of four years of study, the B.A. will be granted if the normal requirements for that degree have been completed.

Application for the concurrent degree must be made to, and approved by the department before the end of the junior year. In accordance with university requirements, all M.A. candidates must complete seven units of graduate study. For the concurrent degree program, the department requires the completion of a total of seventeen courses in anthropology. Of these, five must be taken for graduate credit, ten for undergraduate credit, and two for both undergraduate and graduate credit. Within the 17 courses the following are required:
 

History of Anthropological Thought
A linguistic analysis course
Problems in Anthropological Field Research
Advanced Seminar in Anthropological Theory
Graduate Field Research
Advanced Research (Thesis Tutorial 591, 592)

In addition, M.A./B.A. programs of study must include at least one advanced course (200 level or above) taken with each member of the department. Candidates will be expected to participate in department seminars.

One thesis of the length and quality normally expected for an M.A. degree must be submitted. It must be based on at least nine months of field research (normally a semester and the following summer).

The thesis requirement for the B.A. degree will be satisfied when the candidate submits a thesis judged acceptable by his/her advisor. The M.A. degree, however, is contingent upon both a successful defense of the thesis and a demonstration of competence in general anthropology at an oral examination.

Students admitted to the B.A./M.A. degree program can apply for tuition remission for the fifth year of study. However, such awards are highly competitive due to a limited number of available grants. Consequently, the department cannot guarantee all B.A./M.A. students will be awarded a tuition remission grant.

Time Table

Declaration of major by the spring of the sophomore year.
Application for admission to the concurrent degree program by the end of the junior year.
Field work for current degree candidates during the spring semester of the fourth year and following summer.
Course work, thesis tutorials, and oral examination in the fifth year.