phd sociology and anthropology

Ph.D. Program

Grad student, Tamkinat Rauf, with Sociologist, William Julius Wilson, at a CASBS event. Image credit: Jerry Wang, courtesy of CASBS at Stanford

The Ph.D. program is defined by a commitment to highly analytical sociology

The program trains graduate students to use a range of methods – quantitative and qualitative – and data – survey, administrative, experimental, interview, direct observation, and more – to answer pressing empirical questions and to advance important theoretical and policy debates.

The Ph.D. curriculum and degree requirements provide students with the methodological skills, substantive knowledge, and mentorship to make important and impactful contributions to sociological knowledge. The program guides Ph.D. students to work on ambitious, independent research projects about which students are passionate. Graduates finish the program well-positioned to be leaders in the field of sociology.

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PhD Program in Sociology or Anthropology

Simon Fraser University offers an excellent environment for research and graduate studies. The institution is home to a variety of world-class research facilities, innovative programs, and world-renowned scholars.

Here are some reasons to study with us:

• We offer a firm disciplinary foundation in sociology and anthropology. 
• We provide opportunities and support for community-engaged, collaborative research with diverse populations local, nationally and internationally. 
• We provide outstanding supervision and work collaboratively to tailor the program to our student’s unique goals. 

The work from our students is wide-ranging. Our faculty has particular expertise in social theory, research methodologies, social justice and community-based research, gender and sexuality, political economy, and social control. We provide individualized support for student’s research interests.  Please take a look at the research topics of our current graduate students .

The majority of our PhD graduates have gone on to full-time employment in academia, including tenure-track positions at University of Ottawa, University of Alberta and University of Glasgow, and full-time teaching positions at Douglas College and Capilano University. Learn more about our alumni here .

Visit SFU's  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies  website for more information.

Department Requirements

•  Language requirements   

Program Overview    

•  Schedule •  Degree requirements •  Cost •  Funding

Finding a Supervisor

•  Contacting potential supervisors

Application Period

How to apply, important application information, interdepartmental program transfer.

Take a look at SFU’s requirements for Doctoral Programs (1.3.7a)

Our specific departmental requirements are:

• For PhD programs you must have a strong background in the discipline that you are applying to.
• Research interest related to a faculty member who will be willing to supervise you. See below for details.

Are you an international or US student?  Visit Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, International Applicants  to find information regarding English requirements and other topics.

Language Requirements

English is the language of communication at the University and instruction in most programs. Students whose primary language is not English must have a demonstrated command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies.

International applicants will not be required to submit an English-language test if they have completed a degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English, in a country where English is the primary language. Please see  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, International & English Language Requirements  for more information.

Please note that English-language waivers/exemptions are very rarely granted and typically only under exceptional circumstances. The applicant’s overall English-language experience must be demonstrably robust in order to be considered.

The following  may  be considered as valid reasons for an applicant to receive a waiver/exemption. Documentation attesting to the below should be uploaded as additional documents to the applicant's online application. Please note that documents received via email prior to an application being started through the proper channels (i.e. through the online application portal) will not be reviewed.

• Extensive experience working/volunteering/living in a predominantly English-speaking country
• Extensive post-secondary English-language schooling in an English-speaking country, but not a full degree
• Publications where the applicant is the first/primary author in peer-reviewed English-language journals
• Publications (book chapters, whole books, similar) in English where the applicant is the first/primary author
• Evidence of expired but well over-minimum English-language test results, along with any of the above (this alone cannot be used for a waiver)

Program Overview

PhD programs in sociology and anthropology offer students a comprehensive foundation in social theory in each discipline, substantive courses in areas of research interest, and rigorous training in research methodologies. The programs are designed to facilitate and support completion of the PhD within six (6) academic years (18 terms).

The first two years of the program (terms 1-6) are devoted to completion of coursework, qualifying examinations, and dissertation prospectus development and defence. The remaining four years (terms 7-18) are spent conducting research and completing the dissertation.

GRADUATE SEMINAR

All graduate students must attend and actively participate in the Graduate Seminar (SA 840) during the first term of their program.

FULL VS. PART-TIME STATUS

Sociology and anthropology students are considered to be full-time students, and must pay full-time fees, regardless of the number of course units for which they are registered.

CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT

Simon Fraser University requires graduate students to be enrolled every term unless they have applied for and received authorization for a leave of absence.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for completion of the PhD degree program are:

• One (1) term-long required professional development Graduate Seminar (SA 840)
• Two (2) term-long elective courses
• Successful completion of two qualifying examinations (SA 897);
• Preparation and public defence of a dissertation research prospectus; and
• Completion and public defence of an original PhD dissertation (~250-300 pages, inclusive of bibliographies, appendices, and tables).

Elective courses (2) should be chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor and be appropriate to the anticipated dissertation research and the student’s discipline.

Regular full-time tuition fees for the research-based PhD program is $2,066.11   CAD per term for the 2023-2024 academic year. International graduate students pay the same fees as domestic students.

For further details, refer to  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Tuition and Fees.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology has a small budget of funds for entrance awards to assist students during their time in the program. Within the confines of this budget, the department is committed to providing minimum funding ($28,000 per year for four years) towards incoming PhD Students. Scholarships may be available and graduate students may apply to be a TA/TM each term.

The PhD minimum funding policy can be viewed here . Financial commitments are made on an individual basis and the terms of funding support will be set out in the offer or admission letter that student receive.

With respect to financial support, department policy and practice is to make financial awards available to the largest number of students possible. Thus, all students who meet the eligibility critera for an award are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to review the  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Scholarships and Awards  website for additional information.

The following sources of entrance funding are available for eligible incoming students:

SPECIAL GRADUATE ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS (SGES)

A small number of entrance scholarships are available annually for incoming students. These are competitive awards given to the best incoming graduate students for full-time graduate study.

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS (GF)

GFs are one-term grants from Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies that are awarded to qualifying students based on status in the program, availability of other funding, and merit. As a practice, the department tries to ensure that all eligible MA students receive at least one GF over the course of their studies.

TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS (TA)/TUTOR MARKER POSITIONS (TM)

All graduate students in the department are eligible to be employed as TAs and/or TMs. Employment as a teaching assistant is a valuable opportunity for professional development that graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of. PhD students are assured of one TA/TM position during their studies. While many graduate students work as TA/TMs throughout their studies, employment during any particular term is not guaranteed. TA/TM positions are available in the fall and spring terms, however TA/TM positions are limited for summer terms.

For more information, please visit  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Entrance and Scholarships Awards.

PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact faculty members whose research interests align with their own. While you do not have to secure a supervisor prior to applying the program, there must be a faculty member available who has similar research interests and is willing to supervise you as a graduate student.

• Please note that securing a supervisor does not guarantee an offer of admission. Applicants must meet all other university and departmental requirements.
• All applications are assessed individually and offers of admission are based on the strength of each application, faculty expertise and availability, and departmental resources.

Contacting a Potential Supervisor

Once you've identified one or two potential supervisors, you should contact them by email.

Here are some items to include in your initial brief contact email:

• Ask them specifically if they are accepting new graduate students for the coming academic year
• Why you wish to pursue graduate studies
• Academic background (your CGPA must be over 3.25, or equivalent)
• Academic awards or highlights
• Research experience
• Make it clear that you are familiar with their work and how their research interests mesh with your own (if there is a research idea in one of their papers that you would like to explore in your work, explain that briefly)
• A research proposal, if appropriate

goGRAD  is currently closed for applications.  Late applications are not accepted . 

The application deadline for the Fall 2024 cohort is  FEBRUARY 1, 2024 .

goGRAD will open for Fall 2024 applications on October 16th 2023.

*PhD programs in Sociology and Anthropology are designed to be completed within 18 consecutive terms (or six full academic years) commencing in the Fall of each year. Applications to start the PhD program out-of-cycle (i.e. in the spring or summer terms) are not possible.

Ready to Apply?

You will be asked to submit the following information and documents to your online application:

• Your  curriculum vitae  (CV), including scholarly work
• A statement of interest and prospective research topic (~1 page in length, clear and concise)
• An academic writing sample (e.g. an academic paper or article for which you are the first author)
• Contact information for three (3) academic references
• All post-secondary transcripts

Upon receiving an offer of admission: 

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit any official academic transcripts sent directly from the institution to  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies , either by mail or email.

c/o Central Stores Mail Room, for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Maggie Benston Student Services Centre 1100 Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, British Columbia Canada V5A 1S6

SFU's email address for receipt of electronic transcripts is  [email protected]

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Please note that we are unable to provide information as to the “chances” of any potential applicant receiving an offer of admission in the absence of a complete application submitted through the proper channels (i.e. through the online application portal, NOT via email).
• It is the responsiblity of the potential applicant to determine if they meet the admission requirements prior to submitting an application and paying the application fee.

* Requests to have the application fee waived will not be granted.

SFU INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM TRANSFER

SFU students who wish to transfer to the PhD program in sociology and anthropology must:

• Have an SA faculty member who agrees to supervise them;
• Submit a statement of their proposed PhD research (as well as their courses/CGPA in their current programs, if applicable);
• Work with their SA supervisor to develop a study plan.

The supervisor, in consultation with the GPC, will determine if additional courses are required.

The student's time in their current program will count towards the program length in SA. Funding is not guaranteed if extra terms are needed to meet the SA program requirements.

Finally, the transfer requires approval from the GPC and the department.

Transfer Application Form

Want to talk to a current Sociology & Anthropology graduate student? Check out the  SFU Sociology & Anthropology  community on Discord. Connect with other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

If you have any questions that are not answered on our website, please contact the Program Assistant by email at [email protected]. Long distance phone calls will not be returned.

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Social Anthropology

The graduate program in Social Anthropology focuses on issues of globalism, ethnic politics, gender studies, “new” nationalisms, diaspora formation, transnationalism and local experience, medical anthropology, linguistic and semiotic anthropology, and media. Our mission is to develop new methodologies for an anthropology that tracks cultural developments in a global economy increasingly defined by the Internet and related technologies. Our graduate students (drawn from over 30 countries) expect to work in the worlds of academe, government, NGOs, law, medicine, and business.  

Knowing that material culture is a key element in the study of globalism and the new world economy, we work closely with staff from Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, who share our interests in redefining the study of popular culture, art, and the origins of industrial society. Research at the museum also makes it possible for us to maintain close ties to our departmental colleagues in the archaeology program.  

• Admissions Information
• Archaeology
• Coursework - Social Anthropology
• Languages - Social Anthropology
• Fieldwork - Social Anthropology
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• Qualifying Examination - Social Anthropology
• Dissertation Prospectus - Social Anthropology
• Dissertation Committee and Defense - Social Anthropology
• Master of Arts - Social Anthropology
• Media Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• MA Medical Anthropology
• Secondary Fields
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• Program Contacts
• PhD Recipients

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Research degrees: anthropology and sociology.

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Key information

Home student fees (full-time) : £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time) : £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time) : £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time) : £11,245 per year

Please note that fees go up each year.   See  research fees  for further details.

A BA and/or MA degree in Anthropology, with a merit or equivalent in the Masters Degree and a MA dissertation grade of 65% (UK) or higher. Applicants must provide a clear and coherent research proposal of 2000 words, plus one academic reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see  Doctoral School English language requirements.

Course overview

A majority of our PhD graduates have embarked on an academic career, taking up lectureships in universities in the UK as well as abroad, or pursuing further their interests through post-doctoral fellowships and other research-based posts.

At the same time, SOAS anthropology PhD graduates have gone on to a range of occupations in the fields of social and market research, development organisations at home and overseas, international and national government and policy, heritage and museum services, journalism and in advisory services of many kinds.

Social anthropology is widely regarded by employers as an excellent training, equipping holders of the degree with a range of sought after skills. The MPhil/PhD offers graduates the opportunity to enhance their qualitative research skills and advance their expertise in their chosen field of study. Thus equipped, they are valuable not only for generating the empirical data required for reaching certain decisions, but also for providing the necessary critical tools that enable organisations to innovate and address the challenges of a fast changing world.

The SOAS PhD in Social Anthropology is recognized by the ESRC as both a +3 and 1+3 course. (See ESRC Scholarships  and MRes in Social Anthropology )

Research pathways

There are several possible research pathways available to research students in the department. These are:

• The +3 pathway
• The 1+3 pathway
• The 2+3 pathway
• The +4 pathway

The +3 pathway is our standard MPhil/PhD pathway suitable for candidates with an existing Masters-level degree in anthropology. Candidates are initially registered as MPhil students. For full-time students, the first year of registration includes research methods training and project development, culminating in upgrade to PhD registration. Subject to successfully upgrading, the second year is generally spent conducting fieldwork. The third year is spent writing-up.

1+3 pathway

The 1+3 pathway involves one year on our ESRC-recognised MRes Social Anthropology programme followed by three years on the MPhil/PhD programme. This pathway is suitable for candidates with an undergraduate degree in anthropology but no Masters-level training in the discipline. The dissertation for the MRes Social Anthropology constitutes the basis for the research report and fieldwork proposal required for upgrading from MPhil to PhD status. Consequently the upgrade process generally occurs early in the first year of the +3 part of the pathway and the student may expect to leave for fieldwork after about one term.

2+3 pathway

The 2+3 pathway is intended for those with an undergraduate degree in anthropology but who require additional intensive training in a designated African or Asian language in order to undertake fieldwork. It comprises the two-year MRes Social Anthropology and Intensive Language, followed by three years on the MPhil/PhD programme. As with the 1+3 pathway, candidates are able to upgrade and embark on fieldwork earlier in the first year of MPhil/PhD registration than students on the standard +3 pathway.

The +4 pathway is intended for students with an existing Masters-level degree in anthropology who require additional intensive language training in order to undertake fieldwork. The pathway comprises of a two-year fieldwork training period, including intensive language training, and the opportunity, where appropriate, for short pre-fieldwork familiarisation visits to expected fieldwork sites and/or in situ language training. Candidates are expected to upgrade to PhD status at the start of their second year of registration.

The above descriptions are based on full-time registration. Each of these pathways is also available on a part-time basis (e.g. the +3 pathway can be taken part-time over six years). Students on each of these pathways may also be eligible to apply for an additional year of writing up at reduced fee level on ‘continuation’ status.

As described, the expectation is that candidates for the above research degree pathways will already have training in anthropology at undergraduate or postgraduate level (depending on pathway). We recognise, however, that some candidates may have anthropological training without a formal degree in anthropology. Prospective students should contact the Director of Doctoral Studies to discuss their particular circumstances. Where candidates do not have sufficient anthropological foundation, they may be advised first to take one of our taught MA programmes (rather than the MRes Social Anthropology) in order to qualify for the +3 or +4 MPhil/PhD pathways.

For more information, contact the current Director of Doctoral Studies.

In the first year, every MPhil student is appointed a three-person research committee comprising a principal supervisor, a second supervisor and the Research Tutor. MPhil students attend the weekly Research Training Seminar and the Research Methods course, and they take relevant language training. MPhil students may also be required to take additional regional, thematic or theory courses related to their chosen specialisation. Upon successful completion of a 20,000-word research report and fieldwork proposal, MPhil students are upgraded to PhD status and commence fieldwork. The fieldwork experience forms the basis of a 100,000-word dissertation which should demonstrate original thinking and make a significant contribution to the discipline. During the post-fieldwork period, PhD students attend the weekly post-fieldwork seminar and have the opportunity to present their work in progress. MPhil and PhD students are encouraged to attend the variety of seminars and workshops that take place across the School.

Required courses

Students undertaking a PhD have a few requirements in their first year. They are required to take the Research Methods in Anthropology (15Cr) 15PANH091  course and attend the research training seminar each week. They are expected to attend the Departmental Seminar Series events (advertised weekly). They are required to write a Research Report and Fieldwork Proposal. They are required to submit an Ethics form. They will meet their supervisors at regular intervals. Generally, this will be fortnightly for full time students, however it may be appropriate to meet more or less frequently at different stages. Some supervisors may ask doctoral students to take additional modules in the first year of their PhD.

• Research Methods in Anthropology (15Cr) 15PANH091

All students enrolled in their first year of an MPhil/PhD are required to take and pass the assessments for this course.

Statistical methods for research

MPhil students are strongly encouraged to complete a not-for-credit online module, Statistical Methods for Research - Social Sciences run by Epigeum.

Alternatively, MPhil students can enroll for Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Social Research, a module for students with no prior knowledge of quantitative methods used in social research, available at SOAS and offered by the Department of Politics and International Relations.

Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Social Research

Research training seminar

The aim of this seminar is to help students prepare for their upgrade by thinking through what an anthropological research project should be about. The seminar has also the over-arching objective of supporting the students preparing their upgrade documents, fieldwork plan and ethics review. It consists of students’ presentations, workshop-style exercises and invited talks by members of staff as well as returning PhD students. In term 1, students will introduce their research topic and outline the objectives of their PhD research through collaborative work with their colleagues. In these presentations, students are expected to engage with the materials they are reading or viewing with the aim of an discussing the writing and presentation techniques involved. Questions to consider include: what makes good ethnography? What is an effective way of organising and conveying an argument? What are the boundaries of ethnography, and how have they changed, and continue to change? Student presentations in term 2 focus on questions of ethics and the practicalities of and the choices involved in fieldwork.

In addition to supporting the written work students do and the ideas they explore in their individual sessions with supervisors, the Research Training Seminars also aims to introduce and hone transferrable skills. These include the ability to compose and communicate both brief and more sustained seminar presentations, the skill to assess ethnographic writing and each other’s work in a productive manner; and the ability to contribute to discussions and the making of knowledge as a member of a group. The seminar provides a vital forum for students to recognise, discuss and evaluate competing theoretical positions and approaches and to consider different forms, techniques, and styles of ethnographic (re-)presentation and communication. All such aspects are aimed at contributing to the intellectual and organisational development of the upgrade report.

Other required courses

Some first-year research students may be required to register for specific courses and they must complete the coursework set by the teacher. This will have been indicated in their letter of acceptance to the research programme. If you fall into this category, your supervisor will remind you of your commitment and will follow your progress on the course, as will the Director of Doctoral Studies and with the Head of the Doctoral School.

Training needs analysis

All students complete an annual Training Needs Analysis by the end of October, via PhD Manager. The TNA is a conversation between a doctoral researcher and their lead supervisor at the beginning of each academic year, whereby both parties identify skill areas that need further development and make prioritised action plans from that year.

PhD Manager

Doctoral students use PhD Manager to record and request a wide variety of things, supervisors should be able to provide support if you are having any issues; however if they are unable to assist, then the Doctoral School should also be able to help.

Research report and fieldwork proposal

In your first year, as part of your degree, you will write a Research Report and Fieldwork Proposal of 20,000 words on a topic you have chosen and agreed with your supervisor. This is due at the beginning of term 3 of your first year and any late submissions must be supported by your supervisor and approved by the Director of Doctoral Studies. All students are expected to submit this report and be examined in a viva voce by the end of term 3. Late submissions may require delays in examinations and a delay to the upgrade from MPhil to PhD status. No student is granted permission to leave for fieldwork until they have been examined and a decision has been made about upgrading.

Dissertation

In your second year, you are normally expected to do twelve months of fieldwork based on your Fieldwork Proposal. Requests for longer periods of fieldwork must be approved by the Head of the Doctoral School and supported by your supervisor. On return from the field you will be expected to begin work on your PhD dissertation of 100,000 words. This dissertation must adhere to the University of London Regulations for Anthropology Degrees.

Part-time students

If you are a part-time, then, like all first-year research students, you must meet your supervisor at the beginning of the academic year to agree your training needs and define the appropriate mode for supervisory contact. It is normally advised that you take the Ethnographic Research Methods course in your first year; and you are expected to attend the Research Training Seminars in your second year. During the term, supervision will take the form of a mix of face-to-face meetings and email contact; face to face supervision tends to occur during the Christmas, Easter or summer break.

The majority of departmental seminars, and many subject-based seminars, are held throughout the week and in the evenings. Access to the library and computing facilities is possible during normal opening hours. Formal teaching and an increasing amount of subject-based research material is available via electronic resources available through the Library internet connection (including a growing number of specialist search engines by subject/region).

The variety of seminars you might like to attend at SOAS, and across London, is enormous, and you will need to be selective. The Anthropology Departmental Seminar meets on Wednesday afternoon and is a crucial element of the shared intellectual life of staff and postgraduate students. All first year students are expected to attend. Invited speakers will present work in progress, much of which should be at the cutting edge of anthropological research. There is also a regular PhD Post-Fieldwork Seminar given by students returning from fieldwork. While this seminar is primarily aimed at post-fieldwork students (and all post-fieldwork students in residence are expected to attend regularly), MPhil students are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in discussion.

SOAS hosts a variety of public lectures, conferences and seminars which are prominently advertised on the SOAS events page. SOAS staff usually belong to an academic department and a Regional Centre (some also belong to Special Purpose Centres). If you have a regional interest, then make a point early in the year of locating the relevant Regional Centre where you will find an information board displaying forthcoming meetings. Some Regional Centres also publish a Newsletter.

Outside SOAS you might want to explore the facilities of the University of London. The LSE, University College and Goldsmiths College have substantial anthropology departments and also run weekly seminars. Some of you might have specialist interests which make it worthwhile seeking out London University colleges concerned with higher studies in medicine, law, education etc. The possibilities are too extensive and varied to itemize here; if you have particular interests then ask a member of staff who shares your enthusiasms.

You might also consider taking out a Junior Fellowship of the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) which will include a journal subscription to Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute and Anthropology Today. Membership also includes access to the RAI library located in the British Museum, which also hosts seminars and film screenings.

Second and third year (and beyond)

The second year of the PhD involves fieldwork, and the third year involves writing up (100, 000 words). In the third year, it is expected that you will meet with your supervisor around once a month. As a post-fieldwork student, you will also be expected to give two seminar presentations in the post-fieldwork seminar in the third year of your course of study. This is an opportunity to get feedback on your work from other members of the department as well as from your fellow doctoral students. The aim of the third year is to help you complete the work or produce the large part of a first draft of the dissertation. Many students then seek a fourth year of study, or Continuation. All changes in status must be supported by your supervisor and approved by the Director of Doctoral Studies and the Doctoral School. For students to proceed to continuation status, they must submit to their supervisors for their approval a large part of a first draft of the thesis, equivalent to no less than 60,000 words, itself organised in separate chapters of solid ethnographic description and of good potential for making an original contribution to the discipline. During the writing-up period, your supervisor may encourage you to attend conferences and present papers outside of SOAS. In the last year of writing the dissertation, you should also start considering postdoctoral work and applying for fellowships and to job advertisements. Normally, your supervisor will guide you in preparing your applications, but it is your responsibility to identify opportunities and meet application deadlines.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Teaching and learning

MPhil/PhD students are expected to work independently for the most part. There are, however, certain requirements for the first year of the programme which all students are expected to fulfil.

• Fortnightly tutorials with your supervisors are the norm if you are full time, although there will be times when you will see your supervisor more frequently and others when you might need three weeks between appointments. You will also be required to attend and do the coursework for the Research Methods in Anthropology class in term 1 and the Research Training Seminar in both terms .
• In consultation with your supervisor, you may also decide to take a language course and you will be expected to follow classes and do the related coursework.
• Some students may be required to enrol on one or more MA core courses as part of their first year of study and to attend the seminars/tutorials, write essays and take the exams.
• Other students also may decide to audit BA or MA core theory lectures in anthropology, or special interest lectures in other departments which will require attending lectures only.
• Most courses involve a weekly one hour lecture . Please consult the timetable on the SOAS website for days and times. Once again, you will need to seek agreement from the convenor to audit a course.
• Post-fieldwork students (year-three students) are expected to meet regularly with their supervisor to discuss the work and progress of their PhD thesis.
• Following the fieldwork year, all students are required to present two papers in the Post-Fieldwork seminar . Throughout postgraduate studies, many students also participate in the student run workshops, reading groups and seminar series.
• The lectures for any courses you are required to attend or audit serve merely to introduce new topics, theories, and debates. Ideally, lectures serve as a basis and catalyst for your further reading and research into the subject. Please note, therefore, that lectures are not a substitute for your own independent reading and study which will be monitored by your supervisor.

Auditing courses in the Department of Anthropology

Students are strongly recommended to consider auditing some of the lectures for courses offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the Department. Particular mention should be made of:

• Theory in Anthropology (second-year BA core course)
• Concepts in Anthropology (A + B) (third-year BA course)
• Anthropology of Sustainability: Global Challenges and Alternative Futures
• Politics, Place and Mobility
• Diet, Society and Environment
• Medical Anthropology: Global Perspectives
• Medical Anthropology: Bodies and Cultures
• Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches
• African and Asian Diasporas: Culture, Politics, Identities

Students are also welcome to audit other lectures at BA and MA levels within the Department, and are free to audit other lectures within the School with agreement from the course convenor. As a matter of courtesy, please ask the lecturer concerned whether or not your attendance will raise any problem in face of over-subscription or limited room space (especially for small lecture groups). Please note that auditing is possible for lectures but not for tutorial classes. Auditing a language is, therefore, normally precluded. Please also note that students cannot be examined in audited courses, nor is work set or marked.

Auditing courses in the University of London

Please note that auditing other courses at other colleges within the University of London is an option, but this must be recommended by your supervisor and approved. Auditing within the University of London can involve a course fee and, if you are not willing to pay this out of your own pocket, the faculty may elect to do so if an argument can be made for the necessity of the course. SOAS reserves limited funds for this propose, but applications must be supported with a supervisor’s reference.

Language classes

If you wish to apply for funding for separate language tuition offered outside SOAS, then this must be specified at the time of application. When you arrive, your supervisor must give their approval and help you make the application. For more information, please contact the Director of Doctoral Studies .

The precise coursework requirements for each course you take (rather than audit) are indicated on the course cover sheets which accompany reading lists. It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with this information. Reading Lists will be distributed to students in the first week of teaching.

Coursework is an important part of your first year of study, not only because it contributes toward your overall mark for a course, but because it enables tutors to assess your grasp of the key concepts and principles introduced, and your ability to present them in argument. Perhaps more importantly, it is only through concerted study of ideas, developed understanding, and active problem solving, that sustainable (not just measurable) progress in your learning and comprehension can be achieved.

All courses involve at least an element of written coursework which is formally assessed. Essays must be properly referenced: the standard form of anthropological referencing is that used in the 'Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI, previously Man)'.

Fieldwork awards

The Doctoral School has responsibility for Fieldwork Grant Funding from the Santander Mobility Allowance and University of London. A small amount of funding (between £500 - £1,000 per applicant) is available, though this amount will vary by the allocation we receive each year. Please see our  Doctoral School grants  for further details on deadlines and how to apply.

Post-field work seminar and student status

The work of writing the PhD dissertation is yours alone, supported, of course, by regular (normally monthly) meetings with your supervisor. As a post-fieldwork student you will also be expected to give two seminar presentations in the Post-fieldwork seminar in the third year of your course of study. This is an opportunity to get feedback on your work from other members of the department as well as from your fellow PhD students. The aim of the third year is to help you complete the work or produce the large part of a first draft of the dissertation. Many students then seek a fourth year of study, or Continuation. All changes in status must be supported by your supervisor and approved by the Head of the Doctoral School. For students to proceed to continuation status, they must submit to their supervisors for their approval a large part of a first draft of the thesis, equivalent to no less than 60,000 words, itself organised in separate chapters of solid ethnographic description and of good potential for making an original contribution to the discipline.

During the writing-up period, your supervisor may encourage you to attend conferences and present papers outside of SOAS (as noted above, some funding is available from the Doctoral School – please contact the Doctoral School Administrator) . You will also have available to you the various seminars and workshops run by the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching Unit and the English Language Support should you feel that your writing, organisational or language skills have suffered during fieldwork or simply need to be honed. Further skills training will be offered to you via the School (IT for example) or the Bloomsbury group. You may also, if it does not interfere with the writing of the dissertation, be encouraged to prepare at least one journal article for publication. Students, whose work is progressing satisfactorily, may wish to acquire paid teaching experience as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) for undergraduate anthropology courses within the department. The Head of Department organises the GTA teaching each year and will ask your supervisor if your work is progressing before approving your application to do teaching within the department. Students are not allowed to do more than six hours of teaching a week.

In the last year of writing the dissertation, you should also start considering postdoctoral work and applying for fellowships and to job advertisements. Normally, your supervisor will guide you in preparing your applications, but it is your responsibility to identify opportunities and meet application deadlines.

Useful websites to search for postdoctoral funding

• Economic and Social Research Council
• British Academy

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Various sources of funding for training and research are available for Anthropology MPhil/PhD programme applicants, read more on funding your studies

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SOAS Voices

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Annika werner is among the three winners of the first ceu competition for the best master's thesis on the politics of the anthropocene, phd student omar qassis publishes commentary on food and agriculture in the west bank after the events of 7 october 2023, call for expression of interest msca postdoctoral fellowships (2024), claudio sopranzetti wins the society of economic anthropology 2024 kate browne creativity in research award for his latest book the king of bangkok., video highlights, urban anthropology class - squatting in vienna with robert foltin.

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Food, Culture and Politics - Fieldwork on Christmas Markets

Doctoral Degree Program

Anthropology Ph.D. degree requirements include successful enrollment and participation in graduate training seminars, completion of 2 qualifying exams (one for topic and one for area), approval of the dissertation proposal, and the successful defense and oral examination of the dissertation. Students are encouraged to plan for the completion of all work for the Ph.D. within 5-6 years. Anthropology Ph.D. students must take a minimum of 135 quarter units with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The maximum allowable number of transfer units is 45. The Ph.D. degree is conferred upon candidates who have demonstrated substantial scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research and analysis in Anthropology. Through completion of advanced course work and rigorous skills training, the doctoral program prepares students to make original contributions to the knowledge of Anthropology and to interpret and present the results of such research.

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Even in ‘Care Work,’ Women Face Lower Wages if They Have Kids

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Dr. Mia Brantley Named to CCF’s 2024 Early Career Scholars

Congratulations to Dr. Mia Brantley, who was named a 2024 Early Career Scholar for the Council of Contemporary Families (CCF). CCF’s Frank F. Furstenberg Early Career Scholars Program provides processional development opportunities to scholars whose research centers around the American family. https://sites.utexas.edu/contemporaryfamilies/early-career-scholars-program/ “Mia Brantley (@_MiaBrantley) is currently an Assistant Professor of Sociology at North Carolina State… 

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Graduate Program

About our program.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at WVU offers a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Sociology. All students entering the program will be enrolled as doctoral students. Students entering the program with a BA/BS will be dually enrolled in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs until they complete the M.A. requirements.

The doctoral program explores societal connections through four unique specializations

1)      Crime, Law, and Deviance

2)        Inequality, Diversity, and Equity

3)      Social Psychology and Group Processes

4)      Sociology of Religion

The Ph.D. program is designed for students who have a strong interest in working as professional sociologists in teaching, writing, and research, or for students intending to pursue non-academic careers. 

The program emphasizes foundational coursework in sociology, including theory, methods and statistics, as well as courses and independent research in an area related to the department’s research specializations. Each student constructs a rigorous program of study suited to their research. Students are also encouraged to pursue additional certificate programs to complement their studies.

The department is strongly committed to teaching, mentoring, and collaborative research with students. Members of the faculty have received major research grants, won national teaching and research awards, published several books and numerous academic articles, and served as the editor or editorial board members of prestigious journals. In many cases, students have worked as research collaborators with faculty and presented co-authored publications at regional and national academic conferences such as the American Sociological Association, North Central Sociological Association, American Society of Criminology, and Sociologists for Women in Society—to name a few. Students are also engaged in research groups with faculty such as the Religion and Society Research Group , Amish Research Team , West Virginia Social Survey Center , and the Research Center on Violence , which offers assistantships, research, and service opportunities.

• Please check our Sociology Admission Requirements
• To apply for Fall admission, submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing sample and statement of interest by  January 15  through the  WVU application portal .
• International applicants should also visit WVU  graduate admissions for international students.
• Feel free to email for help with additional questions and information

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Our distinguished and award-winning faculty have diverse research and teaching interests - from investigating our earliest human ancestors to studying contemporary societal issues. We aim to educate socially conscious citizens who value diversity, inclusion, and significant research. We offer two B.A.s, a B.S, an M.A., and three minors. Our students benefit from close faculty-student mentorship, meaningful and engaging courses, and opportunities for laboratory-based and experiential learning, research, and internships. Our students have found success in careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

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Course closed:

Social Anthropology is no longer accepting new applications.

The PhD in Social Anthropology is intended for students who already have full training at undergraduate and/or Master's level in the methods and perspectives of Social/Cultural Anthropology. A first class Honours degree or strong High Pass in a Master's degree in Social Anthropology is normally required. The course includes intensive fieldwork training in the first year, a research period of 12 to 18 months, and a further year for writing the thesis (a maximum of four years is allowed in total). The part-time course proceeds in a similar sequence but over a longer duration, with a maximum allowed length of seven years.  Students work under the guidance of a Principal Supervisor and a Faculty Advisor, and are supported also by a general research training curriculum and extensive programme of department seminars and workshops. Students beginning their training through the PhD Pre-Fieldwork Course can expect to leave for field research at the end of their third term (June-July).  Part-time students can expect to leave for field research at the end of their second year.  Those beginning through the closely-related MRes course, who then hope to proceed directly to PhD, can expect to leave for their PhD fieldwork in their fourth term (October-December). 

A Cambridge PhD in Social Anthropology is very highly regarded, both in the UK and overseas. We have some extremely distinguished alumni who have been enormously influential in academic Anthropology globally. The majority of our PhD graduates go on to jobs in academia, while others build very successful careers in the media, civil service, and the development sector, among others. The Cambridge University Department of Social Anthropology is unparalleled as a place to study for a PhD, combining world-class teaching and resources with a friendly but intellectually challenging atmosphere. 

MPhil students at Cambridge wishing to continue to the PhD in Social Anthropology are required to achieve a mark of at least 73 overall in the MPhil in Social Anthropology. 

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of social anthropology, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Social Anthropology MRes
• Data Intensive Science MPhil
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• Mathematics (Applied Mathematics) MASt
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Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

Appreciate | Respect | Transform

PhD Sociology and Anthropology (international program)

2024/2025 application

• complete program's application form
• degree certificate
• English proficiency result
• two recommendation letters
• The proposal must include the applicants' proposed PhD research title, topic, and research methodology. The applicants must also demonstrate how our program will enhance their academic ability and expertise.
• additional documents (if any)
• 350 Baht / 12 USD
• payment process: read more

full admission announcement can be found here .

important dates

• submission deadline : 6 May 2024 (11.59PM ICT)
• announcement of shortlisted candidates for interview : 4 June 2024
• interview date : 13 June 2024
• announcement of interview results : 18 June 2024
• enrolment confirmation dates : 20-21 June 2024
• announcement of successful candidates : 24 June 2024
• [email protected]

Our PhD program aims to produce graduates with strong theoretical and methodological competency for critical social analysis. The program provides candidates with a comprehensive research training, with an option to focus on sociology, anthropology, or museum and cultural heritage studies. Candidates will develop their PhD research that integrates their disciplinary expertises and area specialization with extensive field research in local, regional, and transnational contexts. Graduates of this program will be equipped to pursue a career in higher education and academia, government and private sectors, as well as international organizations. The advantage of international research experience will also enhance their candidacy as lecturers, researchers, policy makers, consultants, curators, creators, and many others in the field of research and development.

• complete curriculum information is available here .
• anthropology
• museum & cultural heritage studies

essential information

• study mode : on campus
• course intensity : full-time (daytime)
• program duration: 3 years
• starting month: August

program outline

Foundational courses (only for those required).

• SAM601 Theory and Method in Sociology and Anthropology
• SAM602 Research Design and Proposal Development

dissertation

• SAM901 Dissertation (48 credits)

admission requirements

• Master's degree in sociology, anthropology or other equivalent fields from an accredited institution.

English proficiency

• TOEFL-ITP 550+ / TOEFL-IBT 79+
• TU-GET PBT 550+ / TU-GET CBT 79+

* The results shall not exceed 2 years at the date of the admission examination. ** Applications with following results will be considered on the condition that the successful candidates must meet the compulsory requirements within the first academic year.

• TOEFL-ITP 500+ / TOEFL-IBT 71+
• TU-GET PBT 500+ / TU-GET CBT 71+

academic achievement

The applicant must have high-quality academic achievements (such as research, published academic papers, academic papers presented at seminars at the level of university or above, etc.) within the past five years.

tuition fees 

Estimated fees to complete the degree are as follows:-

Thai nationals

• 84,000 Baht or
• 97,800 Baht for those required to enrol in foundational courses

international students

• 151,000 Baht or
• 178,000 Baht for those required to enrol in foundational courses

All successful candidates are eligible to apply for tuition fee waiver (excl. personal accident insurance and student status maintenance fee)

Sociology vs Anthropology: 10 Similarities and Differences

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

Anthropology and sociology are both social sciences fields that focus on understanding human behavior, societies, and cultures.

While anthropology focuses on rich and detailed explorations of cultures in the past and present, sociology typically focuses specifically on the social structures of contemporary societies, with a modern emphasis on injustices and social stratification.

Here are two simple definitions:

• Anthropology is the study of human beings in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture (Bernard, 2017; Delaney, 2017). It’s often characterized by extremely detailed and nuanced fieldwork.
• Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture (Park & Burgess, 2019; Tomley et al., 2019).

While these two fields share many similarities, they also have unique elements as a result of their individual foci. However, because each field is so extensive, each of the following examples have obvious exceptions, and the overlaps are significant. In fact, the main difference between the two is their traditions and the central debates within the fields, as I’ll explain as we go.

Anthropology vs Sociology

Anthropology.

Anthropology can be understood as the systematic and scientific study of humans, their evolution, culture, beliefs, and social interactions (Pountney & Maric, 2021).

The term is derived etymologically from Greek, ‘Anthropos’ representing ‘human’ and ‘logy’ implying ‘study’.

It can be viewed as the study of humans in totality, encompassing past, present, and future.

Anthropology is a discipline of extensive scope. It considers humankind from a variety of perspectives: biological, social, cultural, and linguistic, among others.

It believes that the intersection of varying elements of human experiences, including but not limited to society, biology, language, and culture, results in a complex interconnected network (Ingold, 2018).

The discipline not just limits itself to understanding human behavior or tracing their evolution, but expands to include cultural practices, beliefs, societal norms, and languages, amongst the numerous other facets of human societies and cultures (Nanda & Warms, 2019).

Features of anthropology include:

• Study of Human Life: Anthropology strives to examine every aspect of a human being – the way one speaks, dresses, eats, interacts, and thinks (Ingold, 2018). It appreciates humanity in its entirety without focusing on an isolated attribute or specialty.
• Participant Observation: Participant observation involves immersing oneself in the culture or society being studied, offering an intimate understanding of the given subject (Bernard, 2017; Nanda & Warms, 2019). To illustrate, cultural anthropologists often live within communities, adopting their lifestyle to fully understand their customs and norms.
• Comparative Method: This analysis of societies and cultures, comparing one with another, aids in drawing out similarities and variances in human experiences across geographical regions (Pountney & Maric, 2021). For instance, comparing marriage customs across different cultures helps identify their unique characteristics as well as common themes.
• Qualitative Focus: Anthropology is well known for its qualitative research methods , and many of the in-depth qualitative research methodologies, like ethnography and thick description, come straight from anthropological research methods (Bernard, 2017).
• Cross-Disciplinarity and Eclecticism: Anthropology does not focus solely on human culture or societal forms; it interlinks different disciplines like biology, geography, history, and linguistics to present a comprehensive picture of human evolution and society (Bernard, 2017).

Sociology is the scientific examination of behavior, interactions, and collective phenomena within social groups (Little, 2016; Park & Burgess, 2019).

It primarily addresses the analysis of various societal elements such as social behavior , culture, and structure.

Early sociologists focused on social structures and institutions , ranging from the family unit to major institutions such as government bodies, education, and religion, and examined how they helped hold together cohesive societies. Later, conflict theorists pivoted to exploring the power structures inherent in social institutions . Their concern was with how societies distributed privileges and marginalized others (Park & Burgess, 2019; Tomley et al., 2019).

Subsequent sociologists like Max Weber introduced the sociological paradigm of symbolic interactionism , which studies the ways language, symbols, and everyday social interactions structured society and identities.

The main practical implication of sociology is that it gives policy makers a scientific view into how their policies impact their societies. At its best, it gives societies a scientific basis for developing equitable social policies (Plummer, 2021; Hickey & Thompson, 2016).

Features of sociology include:

• Study of Societies: While anthropology may delve deeper into holistic features of ancient and modern cultures, sociology tends to keep its eye on societies and how they are formed.
• Contemporary Focus: Sociology focuses more on modern societies, studying complex social structures such as governments, economies, and families (Tomley et al., 2019).
• Policy Focus: If we were to look at a key outcome of sociological analysis, we would likely identify its impact on policy and politics. This cannot be said to the same extent about anthropology (Little, 2016).
• Clear Theoretical Traditions: A key difference between anthropology and sociology is their theoretical traditions. Sociology emerges from three key paradigms: structural-functionalism , conflict theory , and symbolic interactionism . Anthropology tends to be far more eclectic, borrowing significantly from the humanities .
• Critical Approach: Lastly, sociology is characterized by its critical approach (Park & Burgess, 2019). It does not simply accept societal norms, but rather questions them. In doing so, it encourages individuals to break free from conventional thinking and promotes a broader, more critical view of the world around us.

Sociology and Anthropology Similarities and Differences

Similarities between anthropology and sociology:.

• Study human societies and behavior: Both fields consider how societies form, function, and evolve over time (Panopio & Rolda, 2007). They explore how individuals and groups interact within these societies and the implications of these interactions. In addition, both anthropology and sociology scrutinize various societal roles, statuses, and shared behaviors, and the impact these have on human relations, societal dynamics, and social change (Park & Burgess, 2019).
• Use both qualitative and quantitative methods: These social sciences approach their subjects of study with a mix of methods. Qualitative research, involving detailed observations, interviews, and document analysis, allows anthropologists and sociologists to gain profound insights into human and social behavior. On the other hand, quantitative approaches, like surveys and statistical analyses, measure the breadth of social phenomena and patterns of human behavior (Panopio & Rolda, 2007).
• Analyze culture and social structures: Both anthropology and sociology delve deeply into the study of culture, examining customs, rituals, norms, and the social order that govern societies. Furthermore, they explore how these cultural factors shape, and are shaped by, the structures and systems of societies, with particular interest in power dynamics, role differentiation, and the development of social institutions (Pountney & Maric, 2021). 
• Interested in norms, values, and beliefs: Anthropologists and sociologists show considerable interest in understanding norms (the accepted behaviors), values (what’s deemed important in a society), and beliefs (shared perspectives about the world). Through their lens, these social constructs are not rigid , but rather dynamic and adaptive, changing across time, space, and cultures (Panopio & Rolda, 2007).
• Both disciplines consider individual and collective behaviors: Anthropology and sociology offer unique insights into both the individual’s behavior and collective actions within societies (Panopio & Rolda, 2007). They endeavor to unravel the profound interconnections between personal choices and social contexts while examining the span from individual micro-level behavior to the behavior of larger social aggregates.

Differences Between Anthropology and Sociology:

• Sociology focuses on modern societies: Sociology predominantly centers around contemporary societies, exploring current societal structures, cultural practices, and social behaviors (Plummer, 2021). It also examines the impact of modern institutions like the government, education, and religion have on societies. Emphasis is given to finding solutions to modern-day social issues , such as inequality, discrimination, and conflict.
• Anthropology studies past and present: Anthropology is unique in its propensity to analyze human societies across different time-frames (Nanda & Warms, 2019). It encompasses studying early human societies to understand the evolution of cultural systems, alongside examining contemporary societies. Its focus is broader, spanning the breadth of human existence, offering a long-term perspective on cultural, social, and biological changes.
• Sociology often uses statistical analysis: Sociology frequently incorporates empirical methods and extensive statistical analysis in its research (Thompson, Hickey & Thompson, 2016). Using rigorous data analysis , sociology aims at extrapolating broader tendencies and generalizable patterns from individual cases to better understand social structures, norms, and behaviors on a macro scale.
• Anthropology relies heavily on fieldwork: Anthropology distinguishes itself through its strong emphasis on intensive fieldwork and participant observation (Delaney, 2017). Anthropologists often immerse themselves in cultures and societies under study, living with local communities to get an in-depth perspective and understanding of their customs, practices, and ways of life.
• Anthropology includes biological and archaeological subfields: Anthropology goes beyond just studying human societies and culture to include biological anthropology, focusing on the evolutionary aspects of humans and their ancestors, and archaeology, that uncovers past societies and their artifacts (Bernard, 2017; Delaney, 2017; Pountney & Maric, 2021). This broad reach, encompassing biology and the past, adds a unique dimension to anthropology.

The main distinguishing difference between sociology and anthropology is in their traditions: anthropology has a rich tradition of detailed qualitative fieldwork, and the comparative study of cultures, past and present.

By contrast, sociology has a strong tradition of debating social structures, especially as demonstrated in the ongoing sociological debate about the role of social institutions ( functionalism vs conflict theory ) and between structure and agency (functionalism and conflict theory vs symbolic interactionism).

Bernard, H. R. (2017). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative approaches . London: Rowman & Littlefield.

Delaney, C. (2017). Investigating culture: An experiential introduction to anthropology . New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Ingold, T. (2018). Anthropology: Why it matters . New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Little, W. (2016). Introduction to sociology . Vancouver; BCcampus.

Nanda, S., & Warms, R. L. (2019). Cultural anthropology . London: Sage Publications.

Panopio, I. S., & Rolda, R. S. (2007). Society & Culture . Goodwill Trading Co., Inc..

Park, R. E., & Burgess, E. W. (2019). Introduction to the Science of Sociology . Los Angeles: Good Press.

Plummer, K. (2021). Sociology: the basics . New York: Routledge.

Pountney, L., & Marić, T. (2021). Introducing anthropology: what makes us human? . New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V., & Thompson, M. L. (2016). Society in focus: An introduction to sociology . London: Rowman & Littlefield.

Tomley, S., Hobbs, M., Todd, M. & Weeks, M. (2019) The Sociology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained. London: DK Publishing.

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Graduate Program

Graduate Anthropology Program Overview

Anthropology has been taught at the University of Oklahoma since 1905 and became its own department in 1927. Celebrated faculty like Morris Opler and Robert Bell established the Department as a leader in the scholarly study of Native North America. In addition to a continued focus on Native North America with research specilizations in the southwest, southeast, and plains of North America, the Department maintains a stong emphasis on Latin America, complemented by individual faculty interests in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Graduate students receive rigorous training in the four sub-fields of anthropology: sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic.  

With twenty-seven full-time professors and about fifty graduate students, graduate students receive personalized attention from faculty mentors while benefitting from the resources of a large research university. The program pages below detail specific relationships and opportunities at internal and external institutions. Our graduates have been successful in securing tenure-track academic jobs as well as positions in cultural resource management, museums, and government agencies.  Individual faculty  are happy to provide more information on their research and on the anthropology graduate program as it relates to your subdiscipline of interest.

Financial support usually consists of half-time graduate assistantships, typically as a grader for an undergraduate class or research assistant for a faculty member. Ph.D. and advanced M.A. students may teach their own classes with opportunities for both in-person and online formats. We fund M.A. students for a maximum of two years and doctoral students for a maximum of four years beyond the M.A. degree. Our students have also been successful in obtaining external funding. For information on tuition and fees, visit the  Bursar's Office .

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Degrees & Courses

We offer an M.A. in Anthropology, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Linguistics, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, an M.A. in Applied Medical Anthropology (non-thesis) and an accelerated BA in Anthropology/MA in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. We currently offer a PhD in Anthropology with concentrations in Archaeology, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Human Health and Biology (HHB). Archaeology concentration students without an M.A. and HHB students applying on an M.A. terminal track or as a precursor to a Ph.D. in HHB degree should apply to the M.A. in Anthropology.

  Graduate Degrees

  Graduate Courses

Graduate Student Handbook

The Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook is an invaluable tool for MA and PhD students and their advisors, as well as prospective students. It provides a helpful roadmap for the details and requirements of each degree program.

Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook (pdf)

Graduate Program Requirements

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 30 credit hours

A student must take ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [15-18 credits]
• Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses.

Anthropology Current & Upcoming Courses

Graduate College Bulletin

MA Anthropology Degree Checksheet

Candidacy and Committee Requirements

Admission to candidacy is required the term before a student expects to defend their thesis (the first Monday in October for Spring graduation; the first Monday in April for Fall graduation). Anthropology has specific candidacy forms available at the Graduate College website .

M.A. committees are composed of three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee, keeping in mind that there may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met.

Required courses, [# hours]; minimum total = 30 credit hours

A student must complete these two core classes in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits]
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits]

A student also must take one of the following core classes. Usually the Linguistics core is recommended, but the decision about which core class to take should be done in consultation with the student's Advisor. A minimum of a B is required:

• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology 3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the Research Methods courses:

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]
• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Finally, the student must take

• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [12-15 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology with a Concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, a Research Methods class, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below. 

MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

The accelerated Anthropology B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology is designed for academically successful undergraduate anthropology majors with an interest in sociocultural anthropology. The combined B.A. + M.A. degrees are designed to be finished in five years, with undergraduate coursework completed at the end of year three of the program. Students accepted into the program begin taking graduate-level coursework during their senior year. Requirements for the B.A. are the same as those of the standard B.A. in Anthropology, with 13 “shared” hours counting towards both the B.A. and M.A. degree requirements. The M.A. degree includes a thesis, giving students an opportunity to conduct original in-depth research.

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 137 credit hours (combined degree)

13 shared hours count as both Graduate and Upper-Division credit. 

Undergraduate Major Requirements (Anthropology coursework) [36 credits total]

Some courses required for the major may also fulfill University General Education and/or Dodge College of Arts & Sciences Requirements.

o   ANTH 2203 Global Cultural Diversity [3 credits]

o   ANTH 2303 General Linguistics [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3113 Principles of Archaeology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3011 Anthropology Cornerstone I: Introduction to the Major [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3021 Anthropology Cornerstone II: Research and Writing [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3031 Anthropology Cornerstone III: Professionalization [1 credit]

o   ANTH 4113 Anthropology Capstone [3 credits]

o   Anthropology Electives [18 credits]

Graduate Requirements [30 credits total]

All students must take the following core courses, and receive at least a B:

o   ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology (shared) [1 credit]

o   ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

Research Methods (3 required credit hours)

Choose from:

o   ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Thesis (2-5 credits required)

o   ANTH 5980 Research for Master’s Thesis [2-5 credits]

Electives (12-15 hours required)

Electives coursework is selected in consultation with the student's advisor and committee. No more than 6 hours from outside Anthropology may be applied. (3 hours shared)

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

BA+MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 5053 Morphology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communications [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits] and receive at least a B.
• ANTH 5980 Research for Master's Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Linguistic Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including four required classes, 15-18 hours of elective seminar credits, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Linguistic Anthropology Degree Sheet

* This program is Non-Thesis only

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 34 credit hours

A student must take the following Core classes in Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits] 
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6843 Foundations of Bio and Medical Anthropology [3 credits] 
• Or an alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also take one of the following Ethnographic Methods courses:

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the following Statistical Methods courses:

• ANTH 4713 Statistical Concepts in Anthropology (taken for Graduate Credit) [3 credits]
• BSE 5163 Biostatistical Methods I (HSC course)
• HES 5963 Statistical Applications in Health and Exercise Science [3 credits]
• SOC 5283 Fundamentals of Sociological Statistics [3 credits]
• Or alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also complete one of the following Culture and Health courses:

• ANTH 5323 The Anthropology of Aging [3 credits]
• ANTH 5393 Anthropology and the Health of Indigenous People [3 credits]
• ANTH 5643 Psychiatric Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5823 Medical Anthropology [3 credits]

Finally, a student must complete each of the remaining courses:

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 6310 Internship in Applied Medical Anthropology [6 credits]
• Elective coursework selected in consultation with the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Applied Anthropology Degree Sheet

There are three tracks in the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology: Archaeology, Human Health and Biology, and Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology. Beyond the 30 credits required for the M.A. (including the core classes if they have not been previously taken), these tracks generally require an additional 30 hours of coursework and 30 hours of dissertation research. There are specific additional required courses within each track. Please see the lists below for a summary of this information.

General exams are to be completed in (or immediately following) the last term of formal coursework as detailed on the Advisory Committee Report. Following successful completion of the exams, students complete 30 hours of dissertation research credits.

Ph.D. committees must consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology (with one from outside the student’s primary subfield) and one faculty member from outside the Department but within the University. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee. There may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met. Various forms are also available through the  Graduate College website .  A list of current and upcoming courses and individual degree checksheets can be found below.

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D. 

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
•  ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits] OR ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6223 Community Engaged Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
• ANTH 6980 Dissertation [29 credits]

Convergence Area

• At least 9 hours must be taken in a convergent area outside of Anthropology as approved by the student's committee. [9 credits]

Choose one of the following sets of course options:

Sociocultural Anthropology

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods OR ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

Linguistic Anthropology

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

Other Electives

• Electives as determined by student's committee [27 credits]

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D Degree Checksheet

Archaeology Ph.D.

Required courses [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6803 Advanced Archaeological Theory and Research [3 credits]
•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor (ANTH 5413 Public archaeology is strongly encouraged) [42 credits]
•  Dissertation [29 credits]

Archaeology Ph.D. Degree Sheet

Human Health and Biology Ph.D.

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits] 
•  ANTH 6843 Theoretical Foundations of Biological and Medical Anthropology [3 credits]
•  Two Methods course selected from this list or at advisor’s discretion [6 credits]

Optional Methods classes include: ANTH 5083 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology, ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication, ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods, ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities, ANTH 5343 Anthropological Demography, ANTH 5423 Introduction to Population Genetics, ANTH 5543 Research Design, ANTH 5593 Spatial Methods and Technologies in Anthropology, BSE 5013 Applications of Microcomputers to Data Analysis, BSE 5163 Biostatistics Methods I, BSE 5173 Biostatistics Methods II, BSE 5663 Analysis of Frequency Data, BSE 6643 Survival Data Analysis, COMM 5313 Qualitative Research Methods

•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [25-39 credits]
•  Dissertation [29-43 credits]

Human Health and Biology Ph.D. Degree Checksheet

Funding and Awards

Graduate students in the Anthropology Department can apply for funding through multiple mechanisms. These are described below.

For information on tuition and fees, you may use the Office of the Bursar tuition estimator . Also, please let the department's Graduate Liaison know if you are a McNair scholar , as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than OU's general deadline for applications to the graduate program. For general inquiries about financial aid, please visit the website of OU's Financial Aid Office .

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

The department offers multiple graduate teaching assistantships (GTAships). These are semester-long appointments at 20 hours a week. Some GTAs support faculty who teach large courses; others teach online or face-to-face classes. GTAships are awarded competitively using information from the graduate applications and annual evaluations. The tuition waivers that accompany graduate assistantship awards are described here .

Please contact individual faculty members about the potential for grant funded research assistantships.

Research and Travel Awards

The Anthropology Department offers several awards for graduate student research and travel. These are awarded competitively, with applications due on October 1 and March 1 annually . To apply, download and fill out the Anthropology Scholarship Form. Students can use those funds to support travel that has already occurred. More information about these awards is given below. We expect students who apply for departmental research and travel funds to also apply for funds from one of the following: the Graduate College , the Graduate Student Senate , and/or the College of Arts and Sciences .

Examples of travel or research for which students may apply for support include:

• Travel to present research at a conference;
• Funds for a significant component of a research project, for example, travel or material expenses 
• Funds to seed research or collect pilot data 

Awardees must work with the department staff assistant before any travel is arranged to be certain that university requirements are met.

Morris E. Opler Memorial Scholarships

Graduate students may apply for an Opler scholarship. Lucille Ritter Opler established this endowed fund in memory of her husband, Dr. Morris E. Opler, to provide scholarships to deserving anthropology students at the University of Oklahoma. Morris Opler was a leading scholar of Native North America. A specialist on Apachean people, he authored numerous articles in scholarly journals and wrote several books on the culture and history of the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, and Plains Apache (Kiowa Apache). Dr. Opler was a member of the University of Oklahoma Department of Anthropology faculty for nearly two decades, having served here after a distinguished teaching and research career at Cornell University. Much respected for his knowledge and teaching ability, he retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Oklahoma in 1977 and passed away in 1996. Among his many honors, Dr. Opler was past President of the American Anthropological Association.

Rain Vehik Award

The Rain Vehik Memorial Fund honors archaeologist Dr. Rain Vehik. Dr. Vehik had a long and productive career in Plains archaeology that included positions at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the University of North Dakota, and in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, he served as head of the Archaeological Research and Management Center, worked with the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, and taught for the OU Department of Anthropology. The Rain Vehik Award offers funds to students to participate in scholarly conferences and workshops. Higher priority is given to students attending the annual Plains Anthropological Conference. This award is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Each student is eligible for only one award per academic year.

Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology

The Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology was estalished by Dr. Patricia Gilman and Dr. Paul Minnis. Drs. Gilman and Minnis were faculty in the OU Department of Anthropology for many years, retiring in 2015. This scholarship offers funds to support archaeology graduate students' research projects. Typically, these funds are awarded only in the spring.

Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA)

AGSA (pronounced /ægsə/) brings together Anthropology graduate students for the purpose of aiding in their professional development within the discipline. AGSA's Speakers Bureau invites scholars to give public lectures related to the interests of the department and conducts fundraisers to be able to afford these events. AGSA also coordinates professional development workshops with graduate students and faculty on topics of interest to current graduate students.  To learn more about current graduate students in Anthropology at OU, the organization, and events check out the AGSA website .  If you have any questions about AGSA, please e-mail one of our officers.

Applying to the Anthropology Graduate Program

The Anthropology department welcomes applications from students with bachelor’s degrees in any field. However, we encourage applicants to gain exposure to all of the subfields of anthropology . Students with a master’s degree from another institution may transfer up to 30 credit hours toward a Ph.D. degree. Students are encouraged to use the Office of the Bursar tuition and fee estimator for cost information. Applicants are not required to take the GRE. If you have taken it, please do not send us your scores, as they will be redacted from your application. Please contact the Graduate Liaison, Matthew Pailes ( [email protected] ), with any questions concerning this. Most important in the decisions for admission are the undergraduate transcript, the statement of purpose, and the two letters of recommendation. The department requires a single writing sample, which needs to be sole authored by the applicant. This could be an essay, term paper, seminar paper, thesis, or article, and should be related to anthropology or associated field.

Faculty look for an appropriate fit between the applicants’ intellectual interests and the research strengths of the department. To that end, we require that applicants contact potential faculty advisors before submitting their completed applications. 

Not all faculty members can chair graduate student committees. Graduate students (current and applying) should check faculty members' Graduate Faculty Appointment Status and adhere to Graduate College and department guidelines when assembling their committees.

The University of Oklahoma uses an integrated electronic application, available here , for its graduate programs. The Department admits applicants once a year to start in the Fall Term. Our next deadline is December 15, 2023. If you are a McNair scholar, please let us know promptly, as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than the OU graduate deadline.

Direct any questions to the  Graduate Liaison .

To apply to the graduate program, please visit the Graduate College webpage:

Graduate Degree Application  

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Combined Ph.D. in Anthropology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)

The Department of Anthropology is one of five units at Yale partnering with the Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies to offer new (in 2021) combined training at the doctoral level. Students in this combined program will work with faculty in both units who are committed to feminist and queer inquiry, and to researching gender and sexuality across axes of difference and inequality around the world. The Combined Ph.D. Program in Anthropology and WGSS is open to applicants in any subfield of anthropology (archaeological, biological, or sociocultural/linguistic), and prospective students should refer to those programs as well.

Resources and Common Connections:

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program

WGSS Graduate Colloquium & Working Group

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Program in Race, Ethnicity, and Migration

Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration

MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies

American Studies Program