About PhD Program,
Our doctoral degree program will give you the intensive training you need to become a professional anthropologist or archaeologist, either within the academy or outside it. We emphasize comparative studies, theoretical grounding and ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork. We offer two concentrations: archaeology and sociocultural anthropology.
Whichever area of specialization you choose, a PhD in anthropology will prepare you for work in a variety of fields, including academia, development, nongovernmental organizations and business. Graduates of our program have gone on to become university professors, direct nonprofit organizations, and work as consultants, advisers and researchers.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Flexibility in the curriculum allows doctoral students to organize a program of study around their particular anthropological interests. At the same time, the program is structured so that a broad familiarity with the anthropological discipline is achieved.
Students in the doctoral program must complete the following requirements:
Coursework Stage (Years One and Two)
- Twelve four-credit courses (48 credits), normally taken at a rate of three or four per semester, with a grade of B- or better. Course requirements include:
- ANTH 203b Contemporary Anthropological Theory (taken in the first semester)
- ANTH 201a History of Anthropological Thought
- ANTH 202b Advanced Ethnographic Research Methodsor ANTH 204a Advanced Seminar in Archaeological Theory
- ANTH 206a Anthropological Writing
- Eight elective courses. Students are encouraged but not required to take ANTH 208a Documenting Culture: Visual and Multimodal Ethnography and ANTH 215b Practical Ethnography, if relevant to their interests.
- ANTH 340a Graduate Proseminar is a non-credit requirement taken by doctoral students during their coursework years.
Examination and Proposal Stage (Normally Year Three)
- Two twelve-credit courses (24 credits)
ANTH 399a Comprehensive Exam: The comprehensive examination must be successfully completed before beginning the fourth year in the program. Students may not sit for the examination if they have not completed their 48-credit course requirements or have outstanding incompletes.
- ANTH 399b Dissertation Proposal: Thedissertation proposal should be completed in the third year of the program, or in some circumstances, such as the need for specialized language or other study, by September of Year 4.
Dissertation Stage (Years Four to Six)
- Dissertation Fieldwork
- Write-up
- Dissertation Defense
Please refer to the department’s handbook for additional details.
There are no GPA or standardized test score cutoffs. Applicants are considered holistically on the basis of a number of factors. Successful international applicants, however, are generally at or above certain English-language test scores.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Funding includes a competitive fellowship, a full-tuition scholarship, and health insurance benefits for five years.
Application Requirement,
The requirements vary among programs. All candidates must submit an application form and application fee. The online application requires the candidate to include a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae/resume, and unofficial transcripts of academic work completed to date. Additionally, the online application form will prompt the candidate to submit the names and contact information for recommenders (typically two or three), who will be sent a link to upload their letters of recommendation. Your program may also require standardized test score results, a writing sample, a portfolio, and/or an interview. Please visit your department to see specific requirements by program. All applicants must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent prior to matriculation.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
A $75 application fee is required of all students who apply online. You will be prompted to pay via credit card or electronic check immediately after submitting your application. Applications will not be reviewed by the graduate admission committee until your fee has been received and processed.
