Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology program at the University at Albany is designed to provide students with specialized training in archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. Through a program of study tailored to their personal goals and interests, students will acquire expertise in their chosen subdiscipline and prepare for careers in academia, industry, and government.

Program of Study

Phase I

• Proseminar in Physical Anthropology
• Proseminar in Archaeology
• Proseminar in Linguistics
• Proseminar in Ethnology
• One course as advised from two of the subdisciplines Proficiency in any subdiscipline may be demonstrated through departmental examination, and specific course requirements may be waived.

Research Requirement

• Satisfactory completion of a research seminar and one research paper acceptable to the department must be presented.

Teaching Requirement

• Students awarded teaching assistantships (T.A.s) must take Practicum in College Teaching.

Departmental Comprehensive Examination

• You must pass a comprehensive examination in anthropology with distinction before starting the concluding half of the doctoral program of study and research.

Phase 2

• Submit a program proposal defining two special fields, preparation method, research tools, and dissertation proposal
• A minimum of four Anthropology courses at or above the 600 level
• Qualifying examinations in each of the two special fields pertaining to theory, methods, geographical areas, or other substantive issues
• Two courses on anthropological methods
• Demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language, and/or competence in another appropriate research tool
• Submit a written dissertation research proposal
• Full-Time Study in Residence: 9 credits in each of two sessions
• Submit an acceptable dissertation which represents a significant and original research contribution in your area of primary specialization

Subdisciplines

Subdisciplines

Archaeology

• Seminar in Social Archaeology
• Mesoamerican Archaeology
• Seminar in Mesoamerican Writing Systems
• Archaeological Surveys
• Northeast Archaeology
• Museum Research and Curation
• Topics in Archaeology
• Seminar in Archaeology
• Seminar in Archaeological Theory and Method
• Archaeological Research Design
• Seminar in Mesoamerican Archaeology
• Topics in Archaeology and Ethnohistory
• Zooarchaeology
• The Neolithic of the Near East and the Emergence of Complex Society

Biological Anthropology

• Human Osteology
• Human Population Biology
• Human Population Genetics
• Functional Anatomy of the Human Skeleton
• Forensic Anthropology
• Nutritional Anthropology
• Basic Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
• Principles and Methods of Epidemiology II
• Culture, Environment, and Health
• Topics in Biological Anthropology
• Seminar in Physical Anthropology
• Topics in Biomedical Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology

• Topics in Social Anthropology
• Seminar in Anthropology and Folklore
• Seminar in Mesoamerican Ethnology
• Seminar in Native Mesoamerican Texts and Literature
• Seminar in Political Anthropology
• Seminar in Economic Anthropology
• Seminar in Cross-Cultural Comparison
• Seminar in Urban Anthropology
• Seminar in the Ethnology of Religion
• Seminar in Ethnohistory
• Seminar in Ecological Anthropology
• Seminar in Ethnology

Linguistics

• Introduction to Syntactic Theory
• Linguistic Structures
• Language and Culture
• Comparative and Historical Linguistics
• Language Acquisition
• Topics in Anthropological Linguistics
• Mesoamerican Linguistics
• Field Methods in Anthropological Linguistics
• Seminar in Linguistics
• Archaeological Field and Laboratory Techniques

Research

Delve into a subdiscipline through real-world research projects in the U.S. and abroad, including student fieldwork in Mesoamerica and summer archaeological field schools in the Northeast. You will work alongside faculty to contribute to significant advances in human and cultural challenges that affect global populations in areas like local societies and the global economy, the evolution of past societies, and the relationship of human health to the environment.

Career Outcomes

In addition to anthropologists and archaeologists who conduct research in the field all over the globe, you may go on to work in government, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and corporate environments.

In the private sector, you may work with business leaders to conduct market research and identify new ways to engage with consumers. Organizations wishing to better meet the needs of their customers may seek out your help for insights that cannot be derived from statistical analysis alone.

You can also work with law enforcement, national defense stakeholders, charity organizations, environmental protection organizations, and human rights groups.

With a PhD in Anthropology, potential job titles include:

• Archeologist
• Market researcher
• User experience analyst
• Museum curator
• Public relations officer
• Human resources representative
• Forensics investigator
• Humanitarian leader

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Not Available
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: April 15
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE score
• Statement of goals
• Writing Sample

Student Learning Objectives

• Evaluate and conduct new anthropological research.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.

Supplemental programs available with this degree:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Anthropology MA
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics CGS
• International Education Management CGS