Graduate Student Handbook, School of Anthropology
Graduate Program Timelines
Please be aware that the timelines outlined below are general overviews of the MA and PhD Programs. Each individual graduate student’s program timeline will vary depending on multiple factors such as: changes in study, research completion, thesis/dissertation writing, life changes, funding options etc.
Timeline for MA Students
Semester one
Select an advisor.
An academic advisor/committee chair will be key in helping you navigate through the policies put forth by the Graduate School and your department. Check with your prospective department chair or the faculty Web pages to find an advisor whose research interests match your own. Begin working with your chair to develop a program of study.
Begin to Select Your Committee.
By now, you’re probably settled in and have some idea of the type of research you would like to conduct. But first, you should select your M.A. committee, which will help guide you through the research. A master’s committee consists of three WSU faculty members: two must be graduate faculty from your department. One member is identified as the committee chair and is your primary contact.
Establish ties in Washington.
Since graduate tuition at WSU is considerably less expensive for Washington residents than for out-of-state graduate students, you should establish residency at the beginning of your second year. Non-resident waivers are only guaranteed for one (1) year. To learn more about establishing residency, please see the Policies and Procedures section.
Semester two
Finalize Your Committee.
The graduate committee of each student shall have a minimum of three members for MA and three members for Ph.D. A majority of committee members shall be active Anthropology Graduate Faculty members. Additionally, a minimum of two members of MA and two members of Ph.D. committees must be both permanent WSU tenured or tenure-track faculty and Graduate Faculty in Anthropology. Only Anthropology Graduate Faculty members who hold current tenure track appointments within Washington State University may chair or co-chair a graduate student committee.
File a program of study. (This should be submitted online in by the end of January)
Your committee chair, in conjunction with other members, should aid you in developing your proposed program of study. This includes an official list of classes you have taken, those you intend to take, and your research interest. After the proposed program is signed by each committee member, it should be submitted online to Jo Bonner in the Anthropology Office. Each stream will meet to evaluate the proposed programs and ensure that they meet Department and Graduate School requirements.
Hold Your Thesis Committee Meeting.
The student is responsible for organizing a meeting of the thesis committee before the degree project is fully initiated, for example, before field work or data collection occurs. In most instances, this would occur during the student’s second semester. The purpose of the meeting is to provide all committee members with the specifics of a proposed research project early in the student’s program so that they are aware of the scope and aims of the planned study, and so that they can provide feedback and advice at the planning and implementation stage, when it is most likely to be useful. In advance of the meeting, the committee must be provided a written proposal outlining the research plan (ca. 3-4 pages). This plan should include the aim(s) of the study, the research question(s), field or research methods, the plan for data acquisition and analysis, the project’s significance, and a general timeline for completion. The faculty acknowledges that projects evolve, but the point of this meeting is to ensure the student and their committee members are operating from the same set of premises at the outset of the degree project.
Seek IRB Approval. (if applicable)
The University requires approval for use of human subjects or animals in research, so before you begin your research you must seek approval from the University’s Institutional Review Board. You will also need to provide verification that you have received approval to use human subjects or animals in your research prior to scheduling your final examination. For more information about IRB approval and The Office of Research Support and Operations, please refer to the IRB section of the Policies and Procedures page.
Semester three
Apply for residency.
After you have proof that you have lived in Washington for twelve months, you should apply for residency. This will allow you to be charged the lower in-state graduate tuition rate as you continue your studies. To learn more about establishing residency, please refer to the Policies and Procedures page.
File an application for master’s degree.
You should submit an application for degree online (Graduate School forms website) at least one semester before your final exam in scheduled. The Graduate School will then notify you of any final graduation requirements before enrolling for your last semester. Search for “graduation application” at the Graduate School Forms website.
Apply for Degree/Graduation, pay the graduation fee.
You must use the online application for degree and graduation application. It is online under the Graduate School website. The graduation fee is currently $60 (may be subject to change).
Semester four
Schedule your final oral exam.
After your thesis is complete, you should submit online the final examination scheduling form signed by your committee to Jo Bonner. It is submitted to the Graduate School, which will then schedule your final examination.
Graduation and diplomas.
The Bookie begins accepting orders for graduate regalia approximately 6 to 8 weeks prior to commencement. MA students place order online or through the Grad Fair. Order graduation regalia.
Submit Your Thesis to Your Committee.
If you are planning to defend during a Fall Semester you must submit a complete draft copy of your thesis to your committee for review by October 10th or at least one month before your defense date. If you are planning to defend during a Spring Semester you must submit a complete draft copy of your thesis to your committee by March 10th or at least one month before your defense date. Students should be submitting individual chapters of their theses to their Chairs for approval before this deadline. Speak with your Chair at the beginning of the semester to ensure you are aware of his/her expectations and submission requirements.
Submit your thesis to the Graduate School and schedule your defense
To avoid any delays, be sure that your thesis is formatted in accordance with the Graduate School formatting guidelines. These guidelines can be found on the Graduate School Forms website (search for “Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guidelines”). Coordinate with Jo Bonner in the Anthropology Office to reserve the conference room, a laptop and other materials you may need to defend.
After Defense
After the successful defense of your thesis you will have five business days to submit the final version of your thesis to both the Graduate School and the Anthropology Department. Submission to the Graduate School is done electronically. You must hand in a hard copy of your thesis to the Anthropology Office and submit a pdf copy of your thesis to Jo Bonner by email. At this time you will also have to hand in your building and office keys. Please make sure your office has been cleaned out. Any items left behind will be donated or thrown out.
Update your mailing address.
Diplomas are mailed approximately eight weeks after commencement. If you move during that time, be sure to enter your new mailing address in myWSU.
Timeline for PhD Students
Semester one
Select an academic advisor.
This person will be key in helping you navigate through the department and Graduate School policies. If you have not already been assigned an academic advisor, check with your stream coordinator or the faculty web pages to select one whose research fits your interests.
Begin to Select Your Committee.
By now, you’re probably settled in and have some idea of the type of research you would like to conduct. But first, you should select your PhD committee, which will help guide you through the research. Please note most dissertation committees have four members (and at least one member from your minor department if applicable).
Establish ties in Washington.
If you’ve relocated from another state, you should become a Washington resident as soon as possible. Graduate tuition is considerably less for residents than for out-of-state students. Establishing residency can significantly reduce the cost of your graduate education. Non-resident waivers are only guaranteed for one (1) year. To learn more about establishing residency, please refer to the Policies and Procedures page.
Semester two
Finalize Your Committee.
The graduate committee of each student shall have a minimum of three members for MA and three members for PhD. A majority of committee members shall be active Anthropology Graduate Faculty members. Additionally, a minimum of two members of MA and two members of PhD committees must be both permanent WSU tenured or tenure-track faculty and Graduate Faculty in Anthropology. Only Anthropology Graduate Faculty members who hold current tenure track appointments within Washington State University may chair or co-chair a graduate student committee.
For more information consult the Academic Policies listed online at the Graduate School’s Policies and Procedures page.
Seek IRB approval.
The University requires approval for the use of human or animal subjects in research, so before you begin you must seek approval from the Institutional Review Board. You will need to provide proof or said approval in order to use human or animal subjects in your research prior to scheduling your final examination. For more information about IRB approval and The Office of Research Support and Operations, please refer to the IRB section of the Policies and Procedures page.
File a program of study. (This should be handed in by the end of January.)
Your committee chair, in conjunction with other members, should aid you in developing your proposed program of study. This includes an official list of classes you have taken, those you intend to take, and your research interest. After the proposed program is signed by each committee member, it should be submitted online to Jo Bonner in the Anthropology Office. Each stream will meet to evaluate the proposed programs and ensure that they meet Department and Graduate School requirements.
Semester three
Apply for residency.
After you have proof that you’ve lived in Washington for twelve straight months, you may apply for residency, which enables you to be receive the lower in-state graduate tuition rate.
Semester four
Hold Your Dissertation Committee Meeting.
The student is responsible for organizing a meeting of the dissertation committee before the degree project is fully initiated, for example, before field work or data collection occurs. In most instances, this would occur during the student’s fourth semester, but could be somewhat earlier or later; however, it should occur before the student takes preliminary exams. The purpose of the meeting is to provide all committee members with the specifics of a proposed research project early in the student’s program so that they are aware of the scope and aims of the planned study, and so that they can provide feedback and advice at the planning and implementation stage, when it is most likely to be useful. In advance of the meeting, the committee must be provided a written proposal outlining the research plan (ca. 5 pages). This plan should include the aim(s) of the study, the research question(s), field or research methods, the plan for data acquisition and analysis, the project’s significance, and a general timeline for completion. The faculty acknowledges that projects evolve, but the point of this meeting is to ensure the student and their committee members are operating from the same set of premises at the outset of the degree project.
Schedule and pass your preliminary examination (this may also be scheduled during a later semester depending upon your degree progress).
Consult with your department and the Graduate School academic policies and procedures for more information about preliminary exams go to Graduate School Forms and search for “schedule exams.” Be sure to complete and submit the Preliminary Examination Scheduling Form at least ten working days prior to your exam date.
Your Second to Last Semester
File an application for doctoral degree.
You should submit an application for degree online (Graduate School forms website) at least one semester before your final exam in scheduled. The Graduate School will then notify you of any final graduation requirements before enrolling for your last semester. This can be done online at the Graduate School website: Graduation Application.
Apply for Degree/Graduation, pay the graduation fee.
You must use the online application for degree and graduation application. It is online under the Graduate School website: Graduation Application instructions. The graduation fee is currently $60, this fee may be subject to change.
Your Final Semester
Submit Your Dissertation to Your Committee.
If you are planning to defend during a Fall Semester you must submit a complete draft copy of your dissertation to your committee for review by October 10th or at least one month before your defense date. If you are planning to defend during a Spring Semester you must submit a complete draft copy of your dissertation to your committee by March 10th or at least one month before your defense date. Students should be submitting individual chapters of their dissertations to their Chairs for approval before this deadline. Speak with your Chair at the beginning of the semester to ensure you are aware of his/her expectations and submission requirements.
Schedule your final oral exam and submit your dissertation to the Graduate School.
After you complete your dissertation, be sure to complete the final examination scheduling form online (Graduate School Forms website), so they are able to schedule your final examination (search for “schedule exams”). These guidelines and other forms you will need such as: Copyright Acknowledgement, Dissertation Agreement Form, and Survey of Earned Doctorates can also be found at the Graduate School Forms page. Coordinate with Jo Bonner in the Anthropology Office to reserve the conference room, a laptop and other materials you may need to defend.
Order your cap and gown.
The Bookie begins accepting orders for graduation regalia approximately two months prior to commencement. PhD students place order through the Bookie. You may place your order by calling 509-332-2537 or by ordering graduation regalia online.
After Defense
After the successful defense of your dissertation you will have five business days to submit the final version of your dissertation to both the Graduate School and the Anthropology Department.
Submission to the Graduate School is done electronically. You must hand in a hard copy of your dissertation to the Anthropology Office and submit a pdf copy to Jo Bonner by email. At this time you will also have to hand in your building and office keys. Please make sure your office has been cleaned out. Any items left behind will be donated or thrown out.
Update your mailing address.
Diplomas are mailed approximately eight weeks after commencement. If you move during that time, be sure to update your new mailing address in myWSU.
Process for Immediately Entering the PhD Program Upon Completion of an MA Degree in Anthropology
At Washington State University
Admission Procedures:
- All policies regarding admission into the graduate school at WSU shall be followed and shall not be influenced by the procedures listed below. The procedures listed below refer only to admission into the PhD program for students completing MA degrees in the Department of Anthropology and who wish to continue into the PhD program in the Department of Anthropology.
- The student must apply for admission to the PhD program with a letter addressed to the Anthropology Chair.
- At minimum, the letter must include the student’s proposed MA defense date, proposed dissertation research topic, proposed PhD dissertation chair, and a Curriculum Vitae.
- Students applying for entrance into the PhD program immediately upon successful completion of the MA shall apply when they have scheduled their defense or when they will soon be scheduling their defense.
- The student’s application is evaluated by the faculty of the respective stream and the stream faculty makes their recommendation to the Anthropology Chair.
- The Anthropology Chair formally notifies the applicant regarding the admission decision. Every effort will be made to inform the applicant of his/her status by the end of the semester in which they defend.
- A student can only be accepted into the PhD program after formal application but acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of all the MA program requirements. If a period of one calendar year or more passes after the originally proposed defense date the student is required to reapply to the PhD program.
- Any awards or funding for PhD level students made prior to completion of the MA are contingent upon the completion of the MA at the agreed upon time.
- Upon a successful MA defense and positive admission notification from the Department Chair, the student must complete an Add an Academic Program Degree Level form. This form can be found on the Graduate School website and must be signed by the student, the Committee Chair, and the Department Chair. This form must be filled out and returned to the Program Coordinator to file with the Graduate School immediately following the defense.
PhD Preliminary Examination Procedures
Students develop a reading list in consultation with their committee and prepare for and schedule the preliminary exam. The preliminary exam consists of a written component, followed by an oral examination. The student will be presented all questions at the beginning of the written component and their completed answers are due 14 days later. Answers to all questions are limited to a maximum of 40 double-spaced pages using 1” margins and Times New Roman 12 point font; references cited, figures and tables are not part of this 40 page total and should appear after the answers. The student chooses how to allocate both their time and the number of pages dedicated to each response—however, the page limit is absolute and no more than 40 pages are permitted. Committee members will grade each question using a 1-5 scale (1=extremely unsatisfactory, 2=unsatisfactory, 3=satisfactory, 4=high pass, 5=extremely high pass) or may abstain from voting on a question they feel unqualified to evaluate, and send their scores to the anthropology program coordinator for tabulation. The program coordinator will create a report for the committee that is advisory; the report will anonymously list all scores by question number and the average of the scores for each question. The oral portion of the preliminary exam should be scheduled to occur approximately 10 days after the written exam has been completed. The Graduate School indicates that all aspects of the examination must be completed within 30 days. Passage of the preliminary exam results in being advanced to candidacy. In the event of a failed examination, a student will be re-examined for a second and final attempt. At least three months must lapse between a failed examination and a re-examination. Preliminary exam questions will be posted when the student’s responses have been received by the anthropology program coordinator, and the questions will also become part of the open file of preliminary exam questions available to other students.
WSU Department of Anthropology Policy for Three-Paper Dissertation
With approval from their dissertation committee, doctoral students may choose to write a dissertation whose core is three published papers. As with the standard dissertation, the three-paper option requires clear committee communication and feedback along the way. Students are advised to develop a publication plan as soon as is practical.
For the three-paper dissertation, the Department requires that the candidate have published, or submitted for publication, three academic papers on which the candidate is the sole or first author. If any of the three papers is based on work done for the Masters’ thesis, it must not be a “duplicate publication.” That is, it must represent a substantial, new and original contribution to the scientific literature beyond the contribution of the MA thesis. Acceptable dissertation papers based on work done for the MA would involve collection of new data or significant new analyses of data collected for the MA. The three papers must be on a related theme and be approved by the student’s committee. At the time of dissertation defense, two of the three papers must have been accepted for publication or be published. A third submitted (but as-yet-unaccepted paper) may, for expediency’s sake, be accepted if the committee evaluates it to be equal in quality to the other two and to be publishable in a peer-reviewed venue. The submitted dissertation will include a title, abstract, introduction and a conclusion that connect and contextualize the three papers.
The Department of Anthropology’s general criteria for approved publication outlets are the following. The publication must be clearly peer-reviewed and may not be a student journal. No more than one of the publications may be a book chapter, and the book itself must be subject to external peer review. At least one of the articles must be in a major anthropology journal, including the cross-subfield, or prominent subfield journals. Students must consult with their committees and receive approval on proposed publication venues for publications that will constitute the dissertation.