Learning Outcomes

1. Students will recognize and describe research themes and content area from all sub-fields of anthropology, generalize research findings and approaches across the sub-fields, demonstrate competency in coursework in the four sub-fields of anthropology, and integrate theory and method across at least two sub-fields.
2. Students will be able to describe and evaluate the historical development and contemporary expressions of anthropological theory. They will be able to demonstrate a deeper understanding and more sophisticated use of specific theories related to their dissertation project
3. Students will demonstrate familiarity with theory and/or method of one or more disciplines outside anthropology.
4. Students will engage in the larger community of anthropological professionals by attending conferences, seminars, and other arenas where anthropological theory, methods, and results are presented.
5. Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to engage in professional-level scholarly dialogue, to lead classroom discussions and to present scholarly papers.
6. Students will be able to identify and discuss important ethical issues in anthropology.
7. Students will critically evaluate anthropological research. Through their comprehensive exams and dissertation project, they will demonstrate the skills necessary to design, conduct, analyze, and report the results of a research project.
8. At least 90% of students will find suitable employment in anthropology at the completion of their doctoral degree.  We expect that 80% of anthropology PhD students will complete their dissertations in the median time to degree in the field of anthropology or less (median time to degree post BA: 8-10 yrs.). 

Admissions

Applicants for the doctoral degree must have a baccalaureate degree from an approved college or university. Students who wish to do the PhD but do not have an MA in Anthropology may apply to the PhD program, but will be expected complete our M.A. program before entering the PhD program. Students who have MA degrees that required the production of a thesis in Anthropology may enter the PhD program directly. Applicants must be recommended to the Graduate School for acceptance by the Department of Anthropology. Admission requirements include official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities (whether a degree was earned or not), a personal statement of the student’s interest and intent, a writing sample, and at least two letters of recommendation. A strong applicant should have a 3.50 GPA. Practically speaking, an applicant intending to seek a PhD should be supported by at least two faculty members willing to serve as mentors in order to be admitted into the program.

Degree Requirements (30 Post-masters Hours; 60 Post-baccalaureate hours)

Residence and other basic requirements for the degree in anthropology are set by The Graduate School. Doctoral students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate work beyond the M.A., including 12 hours of dissertation credit (ANTH 899). Additional hours may be specified by their advisor and approved by the graduate faculty. Students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.A. in Anthropology or related field from another university must complete the M.A. requirements or demonstrate they have completed similar course work. The required distribution of the 30 hours beyond the M.A. include:

Post Masters Requirements (30 hours)

Unless taken at the master’s level, in which case additional coursework will be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
ANTH 703	Anthropological Inquiry	3
Disciplinary Pathways
Archaeology - Select one of the following:		3
ANTH 720	Development of Anthropological Archaeology
ANTH 745	Seminar in Historical Archaeology
Biological/Biocultural Anthropology		3
ANTH 762	Biological Anthropology Principles and Theory
Cultural Anthropology		3
ANTH 730	Cultural Theory through Ethnography
Linguistic Anthropology - Select one of the following:		3
ANTH 747	Language as Social Action
ANTH 748	Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
Coursework 700-level or above within another department or discipline, including, but not limited GEOG, SOCY, PSYC, PHIL, RELG, WGST, HIST, AFAM or any other appropriate course chosen in consultation with the advisor.		3
ANTH 899	Dissertation Preparation	12
Total Credit Hours		30

Note: Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program will be admitted to candidacy after completing the following requirements:

1. a written and oral exam;
2. demonstration of two research skills (e.g. competency in a foreign language, statistical application, or visual anthropology methods and techniques, etc.); and
3. writing, presenting, and defending a dissertation prospectus.

This will normally take place at the end of the first or second year after entering the Ph.D. program (third or fourth year of study after entering the department with a bachelor’s degree).

Master’s Degree enroute to or in lieu of the Ph.D.

Students who complete 33 hours of coursework may earn the master’s degree enroute to or in lieu of the Ph.D. This master’s degree requires passing the written admission-to-candidacy examination; in rare cases, the graduate director may approve an alternative comprehensive assessment.