About PhD Program,
The PhD program in Anthropology at the University of Virginia is designed to lead students from a common and broad acquaintance with fundamental issues of anthropological theory to their own individually tailored agenda of original scholarly research and writing. The accent throughout is on preparation to make a valuable contribution to knowledge through field research, analysis, and writing.
For a more detailed description of the specific requirements of the PhD program in Anthropology at the University of Virginia, please visit Program Description.
For more information on the program contact the Director of Graduate Studies.
All incoming students for the PhD are supported with a six-year funding package as well as additional grants for foreign language study, conference travel, and preparatory research during summers. The first year of our PhD program is devoted primarily to achieving a solid grounding in social theory through a set of “common” and elective courses emphasizing critical engagement with the history of anthropology and contemporary anthropological theory. In the second year, students focus on developing mastery of the existing bodies of scholarship on their research topics and areas. Working closely with faculty, they prepare two essays that critically review the “state of the field” in two areas of scholarly literature relevant to their planned dissertation research. During the summers following this first and second years of coursework, most PhD students visit their chosen field areas to assess the feasibility of research on their planned topics, to establish preliminary contacts, and to study local languages. In the third year of study, PhD students complete any remaining coursework and write their dissertation research proposal and grant applications. Students who have passed their proposal and received funding carry out field research for one year or more. After returning from their field research, they write up their dissertation in consultation with the faculty members on their dissertation committee.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
We use test cores as one component of a holistic evaluation of each applicant and are looking for all around excellence. Where scores are not high, we may place special emphasis on evaluating the overall quality of scholarly skills evident in the applicant’s statement of purpose and writing sample.
If your goal is a career of college or university teaching and research, a PhD is necessary. Be advised that PhD studies in Anthropology take five or more years to complete, including at least two years of coursework (depending on whether you enter with an MA), a year of research preparation and grant writing, a year or more of original field research, and finally the writing of the dissertation. If your goal is ultimately to work toward the PhD degree, you should check the PhD box on the online application.
The MA program can be completed in one to two years. If you are sure that the MA is the highest degree you want to pursue in Anthropology, then check the MA box. If you check the MA box now and change your mind after matriculating, you will need to reapply for admission to the PhD degree program.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Graduate aid comes in many forms, including fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, wages and loans. Multiple sources of funding are available for graduate students, from government agencies, employers, and foundations to academic departments and schools. Your first stop for questions about funding should be your degree programs’ website.
The Graduate School offers doctoral students a minimum of five years of financial support upon admission, including twelve-month living support of $31,518 and full remission of tuition, fees and the premium for single-person coverage through the University’s student health insurance plan. As outlined in the Graduate School’s external award policy, doctoral students may combine financial support awarded upon admission with external funds to increase their overall living support, reduce their teaching duties and, in many circumstances, extend their guaranteed support into a sixth-year. Master’s candidates are sometimes admitted with assistantship support or awarded assistantships during their enrollment based on their academic performance and the availability of teaching or research opportunities.
Application Requirement,
Statement of Purpose
Standardized Test Scores
Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation
Writing Samples
Fees
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2025
Application Fee,
A non-refundable fee of $85 is due at the time the application is submitted.
