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Department of Anthropology

The Coursework-based MA Program in Anthropology

Program Overview

The coursework-based MA program in Anthropology is designed to be one calendar year in duration. During that period, students are required to complete: (a) at least five semester-length graduate courses during the first two semesters of the program; and (b) Anthropology 6440, which requires the completion of a major research paper that will be reviewed by an external reader.

(a) Coursework

Graduate-level courses in anthropology are taught as seminars, rarely exceeding ten students. This provides ample opportunity for faculty-student interaction. They are meant to broaden and deepen the candidates’ knowledge of the discipline and to assist them in beginning to focus on their thesis research. Depending on one’s level of background preparation, full-time MA students enrolled in the coursework stream are normally required to complete between five and six courses during the first two semesters of the program.

(b) Major Research Paper

Students enrolled in the coursework stream must also complete ANTH 6440, which requires them to write a major research paper based on library and/or archival research.

The research paper should normally be completed by before the end of the summer semester. In order to ensure that this goal is achieved, students should develop a timetable of work with their supervisor. Because of the condensed nature of the program, it is very important that students remain in residence at the St. John's campus for the entirety of their program.

The final evaluation of the research paper is determined by the supervisor and one internal reviewer.

Applying to the Program

Students wishing to apply to the program should submit a completed application form (link to the form), all university transcripts, an updated curriculum vitae, two letters of reference from previous university professors, a statement of interest, and a relevant example of your writing.

Your statement of interest will help us to make a preliminary assessment of how your interests fit with those of potential instructors and thesis supervisors. It should include, as far as possible, reference to:

  1. Your general experience to date in anthropology and other disciplinary areas you consider relevant, in both academic and non-academic settings;

  2. Special areas and fields of interest;

  3. Interests and directions you would hope to pursue in a graduate program, including possible major research paper topics if you have developed any ideas along that line;

  4. Reasons, either academic or other, for wishing to undertake graduate studies at Memorial.

The example of your written work may have been done for some other purpose, such as a term paper or a published article. Choose a piece that is relatively short, but which best reflects your scholarly capabilities.

All application materials must be received by the university by no later than January 15th of each year. Students will be notified of the status of their applications in May and would be expected to begin coursework in the following September.

Financial Aid and Research Funding

Memorial University offers competitive funding packages to eligible full-time graduate students, both Canadian and international, in eligible programs.

Primary financial aid from the university consists of fellowships, which vary in size from year to year. All applicants to the program are automatically considered for these awards. Students will also be considered for research and teaching assistantships. If possible, students should submit an fellowship application to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in the October before they apply to the program. If this application is unsuccessful, they may apply again in the first year of the program.

MA candidates may be able to apply for research funds to cover their research expenses from such sources as: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; The Wenner-Gren Foundation; the Fulbright Institute; Memorial University's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER); the Smallwood Foundation for Newfoundland Studies; The Northern Science Training Grants; and/or the Newfoundland Museum. Additional support may be available from faculty research grants.

Graduate students should determine whether their research falls within the mandates of these various funding agencies. When preparing a research grant application, candidates should work in close collaboration with their supervisor(s) and keep them informed at each stage of the process.

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