About PhD Program,
The emphasis in the Graduate Program is on training candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This degree certifies that, in addition to having a sound knowledge of anthropology as a whole, the holder has been trained to do independent research at a professional level of competence in at least one of the major subfields of Anthropology (Anthropological Archeology, Biological [Physical] Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology).
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
we do not have a minimum GPA. Our admissions committee reviews all elements of your application to evaluate your potential for success in the program. Grades and test scores provide important information, but we recognize that they are not the whole picture of you as an applicant and future scholar. Writing does weigh quite heavily in our discipline, so be advised that a well-conceived and well-written statement of purpose and writing sample can go a long way in setting you apart from the applicant pool.
The PhD degree requires a minimum of twenty (18) course units (one unit per course); a normal full-time program consists of three to four units per term. Of these units, at least twelve (12) must be taken at this University. Up to eight (8) course units may be transferred from another institution. Students should request credit transfer from the Graduate Group Chair after the first year of residence.
All PhD students must complete successfully a core program of four courses in the first year. The first-year courses cover the four subfields of anthropology and are mandated by the Graduate Group (GG). These courses include ANTH 6000, 6010, 6020, and 6030. Failure to complete the first year core courses with a final grade (i.e., no Incompletes) by the end of the second semester disqualifies a student from continuing in the program. The Graduate Group will determine the action to be taken.
PhD Funding Coverage,
all accepted full time PhD applicants are offered the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship which includes the cost of tuition, fees and health insurance as well as providing an annual stipend. The only exceptions are those who can prove that they do not need any funding. We do not fund dual or joint degree candidates, PhD students housed in another graduate group at Penn; such funding must come from the student’s home graduate group.
Application Requirement,
Following are the required components of the application:
- Personal statement (1,000 words maximum.) In this statement, all Ph.D. applications within the Graduate Division of Arts & Sciences should address the following prompt:
- Please describe how your background and academic experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree and led you to apply to Penn. Your essay should detail your specific research interests and intellectual goals within your chosen field. Please provide information about your educational trajectory, intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions. If you have overcome adversity and/or experienced limited access to resources or opportunities in your field of study, please feel free to share how that has affected the course of your education. We are interested in your lived experiences and how your particular perspective might contribute to the inclusive and dynamic learning community that Penn values and strives to create.
- All undergraduate and graduate transcripts.Scan and upload unofficial versions.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).This is required only for international students who are not native English speakers. The TOEFL/IELTS exam is not required if you are currently enrolled in or have already graduated from a school where English is the language of instruction, or if you are a citizen of a country where English is an official language.
- Writing samples. Though not required, these are highly recommended. They should be no longer than 25 pages and include a bibliography. The bibliography pages do not count towards the 25-page limit.
Please note that GRE scores are optional for all applicants. If a student chooses to submit GRE scores, they will be considered as part of the application package. There is no minimum GRE or TOEFL score requirement. The Institution Code for the University of Pennsylvania is 2926. There is no department/major field code. If you choose to take them, please arrange to take your exams by a date that will guarantee that your scores will be forwarded to the University of Pennsylvania by the January 2nd deadline.*
Application Deadline,
Jan 02, 2025
Application Fee,
The application fee is $90.00. Payments must be made by credit card.
