Master of Arts in Material Culture (Human Ecology)

Both thesis-based and course-based master’s programs are offered by the Department of Human Ecology.

The MA in Material Culture focuses on the ways in which people contribute to, and are affected by, the production, mediation, and consumption of clothing, objects, buildings, and environments.

Program Requirements

Thesis-based MA

Students are required to complete a minimum of 20 units in coursework and a thesis.

Coursework (20 units)

HECOL 661
HECOL 662
HECOL 691
HECOL 692
6 units in qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and/or statistics
A minimum of 6 units in additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. All candidates are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral.

Course-based MA

Students are required to complete a minimum of 26 units in coursework including a 6-unit capping exercise.

Coursework (20 units)

HECOL 661
HECOL 662
HECOL 691
HECOL 692
A minimum of 12 units in additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping exercise.
- For students who choose a practicum capping exercise, HECOL 508 is recommended

Capping Exercise (6 units)

The capping exercise may be an applied project or a practicum.

Ethics Requirement

Students must meet the FGSR Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 (for both master’s and doctoral students) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Professional Development Requirement

Students may use some of the HECOL Professional Seminars to count towards their FGSR Professional Development Requirement . See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information. The Professional Development Requirement may also be fulfilled through registration in HECOL 508 .

Academic Standing Requirement

Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with no grade less than B-throughout the course of their program.

Failure to maintain the required academic standing will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Chair – Graduate Program to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.

Residence Requirement

For students in the thesis-based program, there is a residence requirement of two, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. For students in the course-based program there is no residence requirement.

Length of Program

The time to complete the master’s degree will vary with the individual candidate; however, a minimum of two years is normally required for the thesis route and a minimum of one year of full-time study for the course-based degree.

The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is four years.

The maximum time to complete the course-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is six years.