Anthropology is not simple.
Anthropology Departments are now different depending on the University. Ours was still a 4-sub-field school, and we had to do PhD quals/Comprehensive exams (which incoming PhD students had to pass), oral defense, and thesis preceded by a research design.
The comps were in all four sub-fields of Anthropology (Archaeo, Ethno, Anthro Ling, and Phys Anthro). As you know, some departments concentrate on only one aspect of Anthropology, now (and then, but I hear moreso now [too much work? Too much data?]).
I started graduate school in art history having a BA in Art History, then switched to Anthro with Archaeo emphasis (more science, more math, more complex reconstruction and research required -- more geared toward the wiring in my brain) and they are totally different with regards to research, intellectual organization, and standards of evidence and lines of evidence! A good MA program in Anthropology produces a dang good researcher and just as comptetent as PhDs in other fields (and some PhDs in Anthro), in my opinion (but a competent person is usually a competent person). You really wanna think? Go to a 4-sub-field school and incorporate all of the fields into your research. Not sure that helps Museum studies, though, because processual in Anthro is different from the emphasis, I see, on procedure in the Museum/Archives arenas, to me (unless research oriented?).
The frameworks used in the traditional 4 sub-fields (mind-numbing, truly, but so exciting!!, especially evolutionary ecology) are quite different from those in Art History and Museum Studies unless one is interested in Ethnology, then they cross-link somewhat more (if I remember -- theoretical frameworks and levels of theory).
I cannot imagine a certificate even duplicating what we went through, and only for a masters (nor being enough to make you up to speed for the PhD program at UNR or other PhD programs in other Anthro Departments). We were expected to at least take 45 units (15 classes including the 5 core 700 level required ones; the degree was 31 or 33, I think, but we all end up with 45 and more). Of course, 9 or 12 of those, if at a high enough level, could go towards the PhD (I think).
We were a theoretical program (and yes, we could out think and analyse and reconstruct, and write on diverse and multiple lines of evidence and disciplines very well-- was a great program with awesome scholars/teachers). Oregon (forget which one) was well-known for putting out good field people (back then, in Archaeology). We had to be very very competent in the literature of all four-sub-fields. You could tell the co-horts that just did their comps... they were brain fried!!! (as was I after I did mine! =D).
With all due respect, a certificate in Museum studies whether graduate or no would not prepare you to pass the PhD quals necessary to get into the UNR PhD program in Anthropolgy (unless they have a general degree now like the others are doing?). In Museum studies PhD programs, I would not know. You become a super expert in your area of emphasis with a PhD (you gained the more general and somewhat specific with your Master's; and in our Master's program, you were definitely qualified researchers with a specific area of expertise within the general competency of Great Basin anthropology from Paleoindian, thus still expected to make an original contribution).
I say get the full Master's if you want to get into an Anthropology PhD program.
Signa Pendegraft, RPA
Robert M. Lee Trust
Archives
970 Icehouse Ave.
Sparks, NV 89431
PH: (775)331-7600
Fax:(775)331-3412
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list on behalf of Lesley Langa
Sent: Thu 7/28/2011 11:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Graduate Certificate accepted as a sustitute for Masters Degree?
Hi Melanie,
Based on your interest in going into a PhD program eventually, I think it
would be in your best interest to go into an Anthropology department where
you start out towards your doctorate. The reason being that a master's
degree is really helpful primer for research work, but will not get you to
the end goal of getting jobs or having the research skills that are expected
of PhDs. And, depending on the type of master's program you would be
interested in (Anthropology is good example of this), you will have to go on
to the PhD for the degree to be of use to you in the future.
Just for background, I have a master's degree in Art History, and am
currently working towards my PhD in information studies at the with a focus
on cultural heritage institutions & policy. My master's degree really wasn't
marketable for museum jobs or even teaching jobs at community colleges. Most
of those positions want PhDs. I'm not sure that a master's degree in Anthro
would be much different.
Also, a certificate, though I do not have one, is geared towards
professionals often, and will not prime you for research work in museums.
But many universities have them, so if you went to a school where you began
your PhD, you could likely pick up the certificate on the side, as Megan
noted.
Hope this is helpful.
Best,
Lesley
On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:46 PM, Melanie C King <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> Hey everyone,
>
> I am about to graduate with a B.A. in Anthropology and I'm looking towards
> what I'm wanting to do in terms of grad school and such and after talking
> with someone I decided I'm probably gonna get either a Masters or Grad.
> Certificate in Museum Studies then go onto a Ph.D. in Anthropology. I'm
> wanting to do curatorial work in a research museum.
>
> I was wondering if any of you knew if getting the certificate is a valid
> substitue for the Masters or if it would be best to get a Masters since I'm
> planning on going onto a Ph.D.
>
> Hopefully that wasn't too confusing.
> -Melanie King
>
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