Program Overview

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Anthropology, PhD

The PhD program in Anthropology assumes previous broad anthropological training in the undergraduate major and competence in a special field at the master's level. PhD programs are flexible in content and are constructed individually within the field of specialization by the candidate, in consultation with the appropriate faculty.

Program Overview

Students working toward the PhD degree in anthropology who prefer to pursue a program leading to a specialization in, for example, linguistic anthropology, may elect to take a joint degree. The requirements for such candidates will be determined by the certification committee, which includes members of the participating departments, and must be approved by the Graduate School.

Concentrations

Concentrations within the major are available in:

• Archaeology
• Social and cultural anthropology
• Biological anthropology
• An intersectional degree track

Admissions

• Fall Deadline: December 1
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required but may be considered if available.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Application Materials

• Transcripts: Undergraduate grade point averages (GPA), one transcript (may be unofficial for purposes of departmental review for admissions) from each previously attended university with the application.
• Statement of Purpose: 2-3 pages, double-spaced, explaining why you want to pursue your graduate training in anthropology at the University of Wisconsin.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing Sample: Such as a research-based paper, senior thesis, or published article to which you are the main author. Writing samples should not exceed 6,000 words.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Funding

• A limited number of teaching, research, and project assistantships are available annually, with occasional special research work for qualified individuals in both laboratory and field situations.
• Students who are planning to study a language taught at UWMadison are encouraged to contact the relevant Area Studies Program to explore the possibilities for a (FLAS) Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 51 credits must be completed in graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: A GPA of 3.50. No less than 3.0 during the first year; must have a 3.50 thereafter.
• Other Grade Requirements: Candidates may not have a GPA lower than 3.0 during the first year and must maintain a 3.5 GPA every year thereafter.
• Assessments and Examinations: PhD qualifying examinations must be taken no later than the fourth semester and must be passed no later than the sixth semester.
• Language Requirements: Language requirements are determined on an individual basis with the major professor and will depend on the area concentration within the department.
• Graduate School Breadth Requirement: All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate.

Concentration Requirements

Archaeology Concentration Pathway

• Course List:
  • ANTHRO 942: Seminar-Archaeological Problems
  • Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor
  • Foreign Language: Up to 6 credits of foreign-language courses numbered 300 to 999 can be applied toward the PhD.
  • Non-Concentration Pathway: Students must complete at least 3 credits of graduate coursework numbered 300 or above in one of the other concentration pathways.
  • Breadth: Minimum of 9 credits, some minors or certificates require more
• Total Credits: 51

Biological Concentration Pathway

• Course List:
  • Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor
  • Non-Concentration Pathway: Students must complete at least 3 credits of graduate coursework numbered 300 or above in one of the other concentration pathways.
  • Breadth: Minimum of 9 credits, some minors or certificates require more
• Total Credits: 51

Cultural Concentration Pathway

• Course List:
  • ANTHRO 860: History of Anthropological Theory
  • ANTHRO 900: Fundamentals of Anthropological Theory
  • Seminar: Students must complete the following course: ANTHRO 909: Research Methods and Research Design in Cultural Anthropology
  • Non-Concentration Pathway: Students must complete at least 3 credits of graduate coursework numbered 300 or above in one of the other concentration pathways.
  • Breadth: Minimum of 9 credits, some minors or certificates require more
  • Coursework: Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor
  • Foreign Language: Up to 6 credits of foreign-language instruction can be applied to the PhD.
• Total Credits: 51

Intersectional Concentration Pathway

• Students may pursue an intersectional concentration involving two or more of the sub-disciplines within the department.
• Course List: Determined through consultation with advisor.

Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from an undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.

Probation

• Refer to the Graduate School's policy.

Advisor / Committee

• Every graduate student will be assigned an advisor and a co-advisor.

Credits Per Term Allowed

• 15 credit maximum.

Time Limits

• Approval of a dissertation topic no later than the semester following passage of preliminary examinations is required.

Grievances and Appeals

• These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns.

Professional Development

• Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within in either biological, archaeological or cultural anthropology in seminar papers and preliminary exam.
2. Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge in one of the three subfields above in the preliminary exam and dissertation.
3. Carry out original anthropological research and produce publishable work in the field including the writing of a dissertation; have a command of one or more foreign languages suited to their research when appropriate; actively compete for major intra- and extramural research grants; and teach effectively as assistants to professors in the department.
4. Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
5. Follows ethical principles of the discipline including respect and sensitivity to host cultures and communities, inclusiveness and diversity, civility and colleagiality, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.