Material Culture

In the Department of Human Ecology we study social meaning related to the creation, use and circulation of objects today and in the past, with an emphasis on clothing and textiles. In studying material culture we seek to understand people, improve their surroundings, and preserve and exhibit artifacts. Come work with leaders of the Material Culture Institute as they explore the meaning of material goods of all sorts in urban and rural, local, national, and international, and historic contexts.

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. 

Our graduates do very well on the job market and have gone on to many different exciting and fulfilling careers. In fact, there’s no limit to the possibilities – except perhaps your own imagination. 

Thesis-based MA Program Requirements

• A minimum of 20 course credits, including:
• 2 credits HECOL 691 and 692 Graduate Professional Seminar
• 3 credits HECOL 661 Perspectives on Material Culture
• 3 credits HECOL 662 Themes in Material Culture
• 6 credits qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and/or statistics
• Minimum 6 credits additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation.

Course-based Master’s degree Requirements

• A minimum of 26 credits and a capping exercise including:
• 2 credits HECOL 691 and 692 Graduate Professional Seminar
• 3 credits HECOL 661 Perspectives on Material Culture
• 3 credits HECOL 662 Themes in Material Culture
• Minimum 12 credits additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping project to be undertaken.
• 6 credits capping exercise

Length of Program 
The time to complete the thesis-based master’s degree will vary with the individual candidate; however for those entering the program with a background in a related discipline, it normally takes two years of full time study to complete the program. The course-based program is designed to be completed in 12 months of full-time study. Our program welcomes and accommodates part-time students.

Minimum Requirements

• 4-year undergraduate degree or its academic equivalent, from a recognized institution.
• Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last two years (approximately 60 credits) of post-secondary study.

International Applicants

GPA Equivalencies

An admission grade point average of 3 on most 4-point grading systems or B on most letter grading systems, based on your most recent two years of full time study (or equivalent) is required.

English Language Requirements

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the U of A. All applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Applicants with scores lower than these cut-offs will not be considered for acceptance to graduate programs in Human Ecology:

TOEFL

• Internet-Based: Minimum Total Score of 92.
• Paper-Based: Minimum score of 580.
• Computer-Based: Minimum score of 237.

IELTS

Minimum overall band score of 6.5

Corresponding with Faculty Members

All graduate students must have a faculty member agree to supervise their program before admission is approved.  We strongly recommend that you review the faculty members’ web pages and contact those whose research interests match your own to discuss the possibility of joining Human Ecology under their supervision.

Items to include in your email:

• A description of your research interests (Why are you interested in their work and why do you feel you would be a good fit?)
• Attach your Curriculum Vitae, including any publications
• Attach a scanned copy of your transcripts
• If applicable, attach a scanned copy of English language proficiency

Department of Human Ecology Graduate Student Research Grant

The Department will award graduate students small grants (maximum $500.00 for Master's students and $1000.00 for Doctoral students) for research expenses associated with theses, course-based applied research projects, or for travel expenses in accordance with the Human Ecology Graduate Student Research and Travel Fund Policy. 

Human Ecology Graduate Awards 

Graduate students in the department of Human Ecology are automatically eligible for the following awards.  Students will be considered for these awards by the Graduate Program Committee based on each award's specifications.  No applications are required from graduate students.

Program related awards:

• Doris Badir Graduate Research Fellowship in Human Ecology 
• Helen Desilva Buchanan Memorial Scholarship in Clothing & Textiles
• Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Fellowship 
• Myer Horowitz Graduate Scholarship  
• Ivy A Thomson and William A Thomson Graduate Scholarship 

International Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for international students are set by the department delivering the program.  Deadlines may be as early as 12 months before the program begins.

Applicants should contact the department well in advance because:

• department deadlines are often tied to funding and award consideration, and
• international applicants generally need plenty of time (up to six months in some cases) to make arrangements to enter Canada.

Visiting and Visiting Exchange Applications

Visiting graduate students are those registered in a graduate degree program at another university or institution, who have permission from their home university and the UAlberta department to take one or more graduate courses for transfer of credit toward that degree program.

This includes students who are part of a formal exchange agreement (including the Western Deans’ Agreement) as well as students not on a formal exchange.

An admission is valid for one calendar year from the student’s start date. Visiting graduate students must apply to the department and be admitted each year in which they take courses. Visiting and Exchange students are not required to pay the $100 application fee.