FULL-TIME / PART-TIME CONSIDERATIONS FOR MAA STUDENTS

Full-Time Students (9 or more credit hours per semester)

The University of Maryland's Graduate Program in Anthropology program accepts new students for Fall term only because core courses are offered only once per year. Full-time student schedules are therefore dictated by course offerings. After the Internship is completed, MAA students may pursue the remaining course work at their own pace because it consists primarily of electives in an area of specialization. Full-time MAA students generally complete their internship over the summer between semesters or during the Fall semester of their second year in the program. Most full-time MAA students will complete their degree within two years of entry into the program.

Part-Time Students (less than 9 credit hours per semester)

Students who wish to pursue the MAA on a part-time basis must keep in mind that students must complete their first two standard semesters of core courses before moving on to the Internship; it may therefore be advisable to attend full-time for at least the first year, then pursue the second two standard semesters of course work part-time. To retain program continuity, part-time students should enroll in ANTH 601 (Applied Anthropology), offered Fall term only, during their first semester in the program. ANTH 701 (Internship Preparation), offered Spring term only, should not be taken until the student is prepared to begin an internship during the following Summer or Fall semester. All other courses in the core sequence may be taken in whatever order fits each student's schedule, with the approval of the Advisory Committee and the Graduate Director. Most part-time students will complete their MAA degree within 3 years of their entry into the program and must do so within the five-year limit set by the Graduate School. (See Time Limits, below.)

REQUIREMENT FOR CONTINOUS REGISTRATION

The Graduate School requires that students remain enrolled in each semester.

According to Graduate School policy, degree-seeking students who have not enrolled in graduate courses in every semester and have not filed for waiver of continuous registration will be terminated from the graduate program. Waivers are available on a semester-by-semester basis depending on specific need and must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Dean of the Graduate School. Details of the terms of these waivers can be found on the Graduate School web site.

TIME LIMITS

According to Graduate School policy, all requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a five-year period (five years from their formal acceptance into the MAA program). This time limit also applies to any transfer work from other institutions to be included in a student's program. Students seeking more time to complete the program must apply to the Graduate School for a one-year extension, which must be supported by the department. Students who fail to complete all requirements for the degree following the granting of a one-year time extension may seek an additional extension by petitioning the Graduate School. If the department supports the request, the Administrator of Graduate Admissions and Records may grant up to one additional year's extension. For more information, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

GRADUATION ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT

Students must be enrolled for at least one credit hour during the semester in which they expect to graduate. At the beginning of the graduating semester the student must file three forms with the Graduate School (See Appendix E, Form Nos. 8, 9, and 10.) :

1. Application for Graduation
2. Approved Program Form
3. Form Certifying Non-Thesis Option

Graduation forms for Ph.D. students ?

Each form has its own department deadline, which is generally about one week earlier than the official university deadline. This arrangement allows for graduate staff to double check the entries and obtain the signature of the Graduate Director. Late filing of any of these forms may delay graduation and result in unnecessary extra charges. Students should get in touch with the Graduate Coordinator with any questions or concerns.

STUDENT RECORDS

Federal and State laws govern access to student records (see FERPA policy). The Department of Anthropology maintains a permanent file on each student admitted to its graduate program. These records allow the faculty and staff to document student progress through the program and provide substantial information which may be used when faculty are asked to write letters of recommendation. All Graduate Faculty are permitted to review student files.

During their tenure in the program, students have access to all materials contained in their file, with the exception of confidential letters of recommendation submitted with their application. Upon graduation, the student no longer has free access to the file. In order to examine the contents of their departmental file, a student should make an oral or written request, directed to the Graduate Director, to examine the contents of their file. The student and the Graduate Director or the student's Faculty Advisor will then review the record together. The student may then make a statement in writing explaining and / or disagreeing with any part of the record, and such statements become part of the student's record. Letters of recommendation in support of a student's application for admission will often be specified as confidential on the application; in such cases, students would not have access to these letters of recommendation. (For more detailed information on student records, please consult the Graduate Catalog and the Schedule of Classes.)

Change of Address

Since many University communications to students are handled through the mail, it is imperative that accurate, up-to-date addresses be maintained at all times. During the academic year we will mail grade reports, registration schedules, and bills to your permanent address. All other mailings will go to the local address on file. If you wish your address to be kept confidential, contact the Registration Center on the main floor of the Mitchell Building. Forms for address changes can be obtained at the Bursar's Office, the Registration Center, or the Dean's Office. The department must also have current local addresses and phone numbers for all students. Please keep your information up to date with the department office staff.

WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION

A graduate student wishing to withdraw from the program and the university  may do so by discussing the issues with his or her Faculty Advisor, the Graduate Director, or the department Chair. A letter of notification should be sent to the Graduate School (with copies to the Graduate Director, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Department Chair) indicating the reasons for the resignation. Students who have received departmental assistantships must also indicate return of their awards. The Graduate School will cancel the student's admitted status, and the Records Office will be asked to withdraw the student effective the date of the resignation. Payment for fellowships and assistantships will cease. Any student then seeking to return to the University of Maryland or to the Anthropology graduate program must reapply for admission and will be subject to all departmental and Graduate School procedures.

According to the Graduate Catalog, a student's admission terminates when the time limits for completion of the degree have been exceeded or when the student is no longer in "good standing."  Students must maintain an average grade of B or better in all graduate courses taken and must otherwise satisfy all additional departmental and Graduate School program requirements. Both degree and non-degree students may  continue only at the discretion of the Faculty Advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Official reasons for termination include:

• failure to maintain 3.0 GPA
• failure to maintain academic standards
• failure to satisfy conditions of provisional admission
• failure to meet the continuous registration requirement
• unsatisfactory progress toward degree
• failure to comply with program requirements
• failed Internship Committee Meeting
• time limits expired

GRADUATE OMBUDS OFFICER

When faced with a situation that seems unfair, students have access to the University Ombuds Officer. Because the University is a large and complex institution, misunderstandings and conflicts can occur easily. The Ombuds Office provides confidential and informal assistance in resolving these conflicts and promotes fair and equitable treatment within the University. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the Ombuds Office website. You can reach the Graduate Ombuds Officer at 301-405-3132.