Letter from the Chair to Prospective Applicants

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in our graduate program in Anthropology. Detailed information about The Graduate School at Michigan State University and application procedures can be found online. More information about the Anthropology graduate program and possible degree specializations within The College of Social Science is located on the College website.

The MSU Graduate School application form can be completed online. The Department of Anthropology requires completion of some additional materials, such as letters of recommendation. Click here for information about applying for graduate admission to the Department of Anthropology. The application deadline for receipt of all materials is December 20 th.

Some of our policies and procedures may be of importance to you as you prepare an application for admission. These include:

ADMISSIONS AND THE PROGRAM:

Students are admitted to the graduate program ONLY in the Fall semester. Applicants to the graduate program need not have an undergraduate degree in anthropology. However, a minimum of 12 credits of undergraduate course work (or four courses) in anthropology is required for admission to the graduate program.

1. Regular M.A./Ph.D.

When a student is admitted to our graduate program, she or he is admitted as an M.A. student, even if the individual already has a Master’s degree. After three semesters in the graduate program, the student is evaluated by the entire faculty. At this point, a student may be advanced directly into the Ph.D. program; in this case, the student will complete a Plan B master’s degree (without thesis) as part of the doctoral program. In other cases, the student is directed to the Plan A master’s degree program (with thesis). A student may also choose to write a master’s thesis. Some students use the Plan A option to obtain a terminal master’s degree; other students use the master’s thesis to obtain research experience to prepare for later dissertation research.

2. Lifelong Education Status

If a student has an inadequate background in anthropology, we recommend that they take the necessary courses here in our Lifelong Education Program, or at another accredited university. Upon completion of all deficiencies, Lifelong Education students must apply along with other applicants for regular admission. Please note that successful completion of Lifelong Education courses here or elsewhere does not commit the Department of Anthropology to admit a student to the graduate program at a later date.

FINANCIAL AID

Each year, a limited number of teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships are offered to incoming graduate students. These may include renewable graduate assistantships, which include a monthly stipend, nine (9) credits of tuition per semester, plus a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition. Because of the uncertainty and limited extent of departmental funding, we also encourage students to apply for financial aid from other MSU sources, as well as from government funding agencies and foundations. In general, most students do find support and funding, although such support can be limited in the first year.

The Department tries to fund students for multiple years, assuming their progress in the program is satisfactory. All financial aid is, of course, dependent upon the availability of funding.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Prospective graduate students must apply for admission to the MSU Graduate School and also to the Department.

1. Applying to the Graduate School. The application form for the Graduate School must be completed online. You must also pay the University application fee online.

2. Applying for admission to the Anthropology program. The Department requires some additional forms and supporting documents that should be sent directly to the Department of Anthropology. Click here to find the required forms and detailed information about application procedures. Please send your formal application and transcript(s), along with all other required materials to: Michigan State University, Department of Anthropology, Attn: Graduate Secretary, 350 Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1118. If you wish to apply for financial aid, you should note this in the appropriate space on the application form.

If we can be of further assistance, please write or call the Department at 517-432-1445 (fax 517-432-2363). Our graduate secretary can be reached via e-mail at anthropology@ssc.msu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you again in the near future.

We think we have a terrific program at Michigan State, and we hope you agree.

Robert Hitchcock
Professor and Chairperson