These are general requirements across years. For up-to-date requirements for specific incoming (catalog) years, please see the University Catalog under Master’s Degree Requirements and Applied Anthropology MA.

See also planning form

The program begins with an orientation during the first instructional week of the fall semester, typically Thursday and Friday of the third week of August (see Academic Calendar). The orientation typically is in hyflex mode, which means that students can choose to attend in-person on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus or virtually. On-campus is recommended. Incoming students will be provided with specific dates and details after being accepted into the program.

Final Semester Milestones (all timelines)

• Keep close track of deadlines and requirements, such as final deadlines for submitting your Advancement to Candidacy & Graduation forms, any variations/waivers, your final thesis, and registration for graduation.
• If on exam track: Complete annotated bibliographies and take exam.
• If on thesis/project track:
• Complete thesis or have progress approved by thesis committee. Submit well-organized thesis chapters (at least introduction, background, methods, and some results) to advisor/chair starting at the beginning of the semester if you have not done so already – your advisor will return your chapters within a 3-week turnaround with comments and requested changes. Plan for multiple rounds of edits before submitting final (advisor-approved) thesis to entire committee at least 3 weeks prior to your scheduled defense (see below). Plan for at least one final round of approval after comments from your entire committee prior to submitting the final version to Graduate Studies. See additional details on the Thesis page
• Schedule a 1.5 hour in-person/online oral defense of thesis before final thesis submission to Graduate Studies. Start by contacting your committee with options for times (do this several weeks in advance). See additional details in the Thesis page
• If thesis completion is not expected this semester, students are advised to sign up for fewer than 6 thesis units, and distribute the remaining units over (typically no more than 2) subsequent semesters to maintain continuous enrollment of at least one unit per semester. Many students find that adding one additional semester to the standard timelines is beneficial. If students complete all 6 thesis units before the thesis is completed, students shall enroll in one unit (x693) per semester to maintain Graduate Continuous Enrollment.