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Anthropology

Surviving Grad School: FAQs

Your Advisor/Committee Chair

How is my advisor chosen when I enter the program?

When you are first admitted, you are assigned an advisor. This may be someone who you have expressed a wish to work with, or who has said they would particularly like to work with you because of common interests. However, if there is no obvious fit, the Graduate Director may assign you to an advisor after looking at such things as the numbers of students already advised by each faculty member.

What is expected of the relationship between student and advisor?

Your advisor is your first point of contact with the faculty. You should meet with her/him at least once a semester, to discuss which courses you need to be taking, and progress generally. However, many students meet with their advisor more often. If you have any questions about requirements, courses, planning, and so on, your advisor should be able to help. Make a point of getting to know him/her; s/he can be your advocate and mentor as you progress through the program, but you must make the effort to keep the relationship going. Check with your advisor regularly to make sure you are taking the right courses to keep you on track.

Can I switch advisors?

Yes, at any time. After entering the program, you may develop a good professional relationship with another faculty member, and both of you may agree that this would be a better fit. If everyone agrees, the change can be formalized using a simple departmental form.

Will switching cause bad feelings?

Highly unlikely! If you feel another advisor would best suit you goals, simply inform your current advisor, and there should be no problem.

What's the difference between an advisor and a thesis/dissertation Major Professor?

Once you are ready to begin research for your thesis/dissertation, you will need to put together a faculty supervisory committee - for specific details see Handbook on Advising and Program Issues. Your advisor does often become your Major Professor, but not necessarily; your chair should be the person who can work with you most effectively on your research.

How is the committee formed?

You will need to fill out a Thesis/dissertation committee form, and have it signed by everyone on your committee, and have it filed with the Graduate School. Changes in your committee will have to be formally noted through a Change of Committee form. The department office staff and Graduate Director can help you with all these forms.

When is the committee formed?

Your committee must be in place before you start your internship/research.

Why?

Because the entire committee must approve your research proposal before you begin. Ideally, the committee should meet with you once you have completed a proposal, and will be able to share ideas and suggestions with you about the direction of your study. Your advisor will work with you to develop a proposal that will be acceptable to your committee.

How many faculty members should be on my committee?

M.A. students need a minimum of three committee members, who must all be in the department. You may add additional members if their specific expertise would be valuable, including one member from outside the department.

Ph.D. students need a minimum of five committee members, three of whom must be in the department. In addition, you will need two outside members.

Can my committee include faculty from other universities?

Yes, but there are certain conditions. Outside members must provide documentation of credentials that will be reviewed by Graduate Studies. The department does not allow more than one member from outside the university except in very unusual circumstances; the approval of the Graduate Director must be obtained in advance.

For all questions about the thesis/dissertation committee, visit: http://catalog.grad.usf.edu/2001-2003/section10.asp#thesis%20committee

Must M.A. students defend their thesis in a public meeting?

No, there is no formal thesis defense comparable to the Ph.D. defense, although a final committee meeting is often appropriate. However, before graduating, all students (including doctoral students) must participate in the annual Colloquium, in which students present summaries of their research findings to the whole department.

What is the Colloquium?

It is an annual, day-long event, currently held in the Fall semester, in which students make a brief (10-15 minute) presentation of their research. The format resembles a professional conference, with presentations grouped in themes, with an invited discussant commenting on the papers. The Colloquium is an important departmental event, which all faculty and students should try to attend, whether presenting or not.

When would I expect to participate in the Colloquium?

In most cases, students present after completing their internship research, and while writing their theses. However, since the colloquium is held only once a year (currently in the Fall), students may be at various stages of their programs. Thus, some may be presenting after the thesis is almost complete. Occasionally, students may even present their internship plans prior to doing the research, if it is considered likely they might graduate before the next colloquium opportunity. Consult with your advisor about the best time to participate.

Graduate Assistantships

When can I apply for an Assistantship?

You may apply at any time. When first applying for admission to the program, you should indicate that you wish to be considered for an assistantship. Find the application form on the department web site, and include it with your application. Continuing students may fill out an application at any time, and these will be considered on a rolling basis.

What are the criteria used to assign assistantships?

These are fully described on the web site. Don’t hesitate to contact your advisor or the Graduate Director if you have other questions.

What sort of tasks might I be assigned as a GA?

If you have a departmentally-funded assistantship, you will either be a Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant. As a TA, you will usually begin by assisting a faculty member in a course - perhaps grading, organizing Blackboard, facilitating discussions, coordinating A-V needs, and so on. Depending on experience, you may be asked to teach a segment of a particular class, or an entire class session. Later, you may be able to take on an entire course yourself, as "Instructor of Record." As an RA, you may assist a faculty supervisor with her/his research - e.g. doing bibliographic research, helping design and draft research materials, work on lab-based tasks and so on.

How does a TA qualify to teach a course alone, as Instructor of Record?

University accreditation regulations require that any instructor must have a Masters degree in Anthropology, OR a Masters in another discipline combined with at least 18 credits of Graduate Anthropology courses. Until you have those qualifications, you may only assist a faculty member or other senior TA.

I am assisting a faculty member in a class. I would like to teach an occasional class, but my faculty supervisor hasn't suggested it. What can I do?

Ask! Many faculty members want to be sure that a TA is comfortable alone in front of a class, and may be hesitant to pressure you. If you would like to teach a particular class, or part of a class, let your supervisor know, and s/he is likely to be happy to facilitate this.

Are there things I shouldn't be asked to do as a GA?

Any tasks you are doing should be related in some way to the academic mission of the department and/or your faculty supervisor. You should not be asked to perform personal tasks, such as baby-sitting, nor should your supervisor make unreasonable demands on your time, such as requiring you to work nights and weekends, or to work more than your assigned hours.

What do I do if I am uncomfortable with my assignment?

If at all possible, bring it up with your supervisor, who may be able to correct things immediately. For instance, s/he may not realize that your GA tasks are overloading you. If you are not comfortable raising issues with your supervisor, meet as soon as possible with the Graduate Director or Chair. You also have contractual rights if you are a member of the Graduate Assistants United union, and you may contact them if you believe these rights have been violated.

Is there a standard pay rate for GA's?

There is standard rate for departmentally-funded assistants; MA students are paid less than Ph.D. students, and you will be informed of your pay rate when offered the assistantship. Assistantships funded elsewhere on campus, or through grants, may vary, depending upon circumstances; sometimes these pay more than department rates, other times less. Be sure to confirm your pay rate before accepting a position.

Why do some assistantships not offer a tuition waiver?

The state of Florida is unusual in that universities cannot literally waive tuition. Tuition for GA's has to be paid by someone. All department-funded GA's receive "waivers," funded through the College. Grant-funded assistantships may not, perhaps because the grant funding body does not allow funding for tuition, or because there is not enough money in the grant. Sometimes, the faculty member with the grant may be able to offer a higher pay rate, in effect covering the cost of tuition without specifically being a tuition payment. Again, make sure you understand what is covered when you accept an appointment.

Why is it important to establish Florida residency?

There are two very important reasons:

  • Starting Fall 2007, the University will not pay the out-of-state tuition for students in their second year of funding, since it is assumed that they should have established residency. There may be certain exceptions that can be appealed, but this will be the rule. Thus it is crucial to establish residency as soon as you arrive in Florida, since you must be resident for a full 12 months before classes start the following year.
  • While department assistantships pay both in-state and out-of-state tuition, many grants cannot cover out-of-state tuition costs, which are much higher. If you remain an out of- state resident, you will be at a disadvantage when you apply for assistantships that are grant-funded.
  • The procedures for establishing residency are described at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/9596/FLRES.HTM

Can international students become Florida residents for tuition purposes?

Unfortunately, no. Florida law does not allow this.

Moving from the M.A. program into the Ph.D. program

Are departmental M.A. graduates automatically accepted to the Ph.D. program?

No. If you have done well in the M.A. program, you are likely to be regarded favorably, and you have the advantage of being known by the faculty. But you will still be competing with others from outside for a limited number of vacancies, so there is no guarantee. You will enhance your chances by moving efficiently through the program, and showing that you can complete your thesis effectively.

Must I finish my M.A. before being accepted into the doctoral program?

Yes. USF and departmental regulations require those beginning a doctoral program to have the M.A. in hand when they enter. See http://anthropology.usf.edu/graduate/apply/ for details of conditional and provisional acceptance. In some cases, an applicant may be conditionally accepted, but s/he must then finish the M.A. degree by the end of the first semester of enrollment. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

Can I begin taking doctoral coursework while completing my M.A. thesis?

Yes, but no more than 12 credits of that coursework can then be applied to the doctoral program. Credits earned through independent study cannot be applied. We strongly advise that while you are still writing your M.A. thesis, you enroll in thesis credits only, and complete the thesis as quickly as possible.

If I move from the M.A. to the Ph.D. program, do I have to take the required courses again?

No. Some courses (e.g. Foundations) are required of both M.A. and Ph.D. students. However, if you recently (within the last five years) took such a course, you do not need to take it again, and may substitute an elective. Consult with your advisor carefully to make sure you are taking the correct requirements.

What if I graduated with my USF M.A. more than five years before entering the Ph.D. program?

In this case, you should take all the required courses, just as if you were entering the program with an M.A. from another institution.

Deadlines

Are there official deadlines for submission of theses/dissertations?

Yes. Each semester the Graduate School posts deadlines for submission of final copies of theses/dissertations. These are typically three weeks before the end of the semester.

What about departmental expectations?

Graduate School dates are final deadlines for the finished thesis, not approximate deadlines for you to submit drafts for feedback from your committee, accompanied by requests to read these drafts within a day or two. The academic year schedule is such that work piles up heavily a couple of weeks before the end of the semester. So it is very hard to accommodate late students in November or April.

Your thesis/dissertation must be read and approved by your entire committee, and all members must have the opportunity to read it thoroughly and request changes, revisions, and so on. Do not assume that because your committee chair has approved your draft, that the other members are "rubber stamps." They may suggest substantial revisions, and you will need time to respond. Thus, the Department has a policy about time-lines and expectations, which will be followed. Please adhere to this time-line when you plan your thesis/dissertation writing.

If you follow these deadlines, you will get timely response from faculty, and you will be able to graduate on time. In many cases, committee members will be able to respond more quickly than this. However, if you do not follow this time-line, there is no guarantee; faculty members cannot be expected to drop everything because you have not planned well, or because you "must" graduate in order to get a job, move, get married, or any other reason. In most cases, faculty will do their very best to move as fast as possible, but, as the saying goes, poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for your committee chair and members.

What are the guidelines for MA Theses?

  • Weeks 1-6: Work with committee chair on drafts of thesis
  • End of Week 6: Complete draft, approved by your committee chair for sending on to the entire committee.
  • End of Week 10: Members of your committee will have comments/required revisions etc. back to you (or your chair).
  • End of Week 12: Final version complete and sent to Committee Chairs and Committee (unless it has been agreed that revisions were very minor and did not need to be reviewed by entire committee).
  • Week 13: Submit final thesis by Graduate School deadline, with all necessary signatures.

What are the guidelines for Ph.D. dissertations?

You will schedule your defense not later than the end of Week 11 in the semester. However, you should assume that your entire committee should have the final draft at least 4 weeks before the scheduled defense.

  • Weeks 1-5: Work with committee chair to polish the dissertation.
  • End of Week 5: Complete draft, approved by your committee chair for sending on to the entire committee.
  • End of Week 9: Members of your committee will have comments/required revisions etc. back to you (or your chair).
  • By end of Week 11: Ph.D. Defense. Members of your committee may have final comments/required revisions etc. back to you (or your chair).
  • Week 12: Final version complete and sent to Committee Chairs and Committee (unless it has been agreed that revisions were very minor and did not need to be reviewed by entire committee). Submit final dissertation by Graduate School deadline, with all necessary signatures.

Miscellaneous

My paper has been accepted by a professional association for presentation at a conference. Is there any way I can receive funding for travel to attend?

There are several sources of possible funding. The department sometimes has money for which you can apply, although this is limited. When funds are available, a notice will be posted on the ANT listserv. The Department Graduate Student Organization and the Anthropology Club may also have funds available: Contact them directly.

The university wide Graduate and Professional Student Organization has funds earmarked for travel; check their website and contact them to learn more. Other on-campus entities, such as the Institute for Latin American and Caribbean Studies may have competitively funded opportunities; these are posted on their web site and usually on ANT list.

Is there a limit on the number of credits of Independent Study/Directed Research etc. I can count toward the elective course requirement?

Yes. You may count no more than one course (3 credits) toward you total (internal and external) elective requirements for the M.A. and no more than two courses (6 credits) for the Ph.D.

Is it really important to subscribe to the ANT list?

Yes! This is by far the most reliable way to keep up to date with everything from new courses to job and funding opportunities. Many assistantships and other jobs are announced on the list. Whenever the department wishes to notify all students of something, we always use the list. To subscribe:

  • In the to: area, type: lyris@lists.cas.usf.edu
  • In the message area, type: Subscribe USF-ANT First name Last name
  • Wait for confirmation and instructions

Are all departmental requirements/regulations "written in stone?"

In almost all cases, you must follow the regulations. If you don't, you may find yourself in a bad situation - e.g. about to graduate, but with requirements still unmet. There are always unique circumstances, which may be handled through a departmental or Graduate School petition. If you have any doubts, check with the Graduate Director - and don't leave it until the last minute!