The PhD program assumes previous broad anthropological training in the undergraduate major and competence in a special field at the master's level (see Graduate Studies in Anthropology). PhD programs are flexible in content and are constructed individually within the field of specialization by the candidate, in consultation with the appropriate faculty.
Students working toward the PhD degree in anthropology who prefer to pursue a program leading to a specialization in, for example, linguistic anthropology, may elect to take a joint degree. The requirements for such candidates will be determined by the certification committee, which includes members of the participating departments, and must be approved by the Graduate School.
Within the doctoral program, students are expected to seek additional training in areas relating to the field of concentration; in most cases, such related subjects may be taken as the required minor program. The archaeologist, for example, should elect course work in surveying, geology, cartography, zoology, history, and so on, depending on special interests. The biological anthropologist is expected to take work in comparative anatomy, human anatomy, genetics, and other biological sciences. The cultural or social anthropologist are encouraged to take further work in area studies, geography, history, history of science, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, and related fields.
The university and vicinity provide many opportunities and facilities for training and research including specialized area and language programs, accessible American Indian reservations, significant archaeological sites, and important archaeological collections. Anthropological fieldwork is conducted in various parts of the world, and there is normally an archaeological field school every second summer. The department has major laboratories for biological anthropology and archaeology, and collaborates with the Center for Climatic Research. The archaeology laboratories maintain comparative collections; microscopes; a thin-section lab; a lab of archaeological chemistry; computerized drafting equipment; and modern drafting, computing, and analytical equipment for research and teaching. Facilities for training and research in biological anthropology include well-equipped laboratories for human and nonhuman primate skeletal biology, wet lab facilities, and computational laboratory with 3D printing and morphometrics, in addition to two large teaching laboratories.
Concentrations within the major are available in archaeology, social and cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or an intersectional degree track (see description below).
All programs assume that candidates have had general undergraduate training in the discipline equivalent to that required of an undergraduate major at UW–Madison. See Anthropology.
Intersectional Degree Track
Occasionally students have special interests that can be pursued only through a combined program involving two or more of the subdisciplines within the program. Examples might include paleoanthropology, ethnoarchaeology, or biocultural anthropology. The department offers an intersectional degree track as an option for these special cases. Interested students should write a carefully prepared statement of intent at the time of application to graduate school. This area of study may take longer to complete, and it is strongly suggested that students who are interested in an intersectional program begin in one of the three major sections prior to making this commitment. Admission to the intersectional program requires prior approval by faculty in each section, and students should contact appropriate faculty before writing their statement.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required but may be considered if available. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program's admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found on the program's website.
Admissions
You may contact the Anthropology Graduate Program Manager at anthrograd@mailplus.wisc.edu for information about the program or the Director of Graduate Studies for information connecting to your specific interests in anthropology. You may also wish to connect with current graduate students to learn about their experience in our program.
Application
All documents and test scores must be complete and submitted by fall deadline for your application to be deemed complete for review and consideration.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
A limited number of teaching, research, and project assistantships are available annually, with occasional special research work for qualified individuals in both laboratory and field situations. Students who are planning to study a language taught at UW–Madison are encouraged to contact the relevant Area Studies Program to explore the possibilities for a (FLAS) Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship.
More information can be found here.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 51 credits must be completed in graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | A GPA of 3.50. No less than 3.0 during the first year; must have a 3.50 thereafter. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Candidates may not have a GPA lower than 3.0 during the first year and must maintain a 3.5 GPA every year thereafter. Candidates may not carry more than 4 credits of Incomplete at any one time; credits of Incomplete over this limit are counted as grades of F for purposes of the GPA until removed. |
| Assessments and Examinations | PhD qualifying examinations must be taken no later than the fourth semester and must be passed no later than the sixth semester. Students must take preliminary examinations no later than the third semester after passage of the qualifying examinations, and pass no later than the fifth semester after qualifying examinations. |
| Language Requirements | Language requirements are determined on an individual basis with the major professor and will depend on the area concentration within the department. |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. Refer to the Graduate School: Breadth Requirement in Doctoral Training policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200. |
Required Courses
Students choose from one of four pathways (also referred to as "sections") in the department. Students earn an MA or MS on the way to the PhD and should refer to the requirements on those pages for information about specific courses required.
All concentrations (archaeology, biological, cultural, intersectional) require one course numbered 300 or above in one of the other concentrations.
Archaeology Concentration Pathway1
21 additional credits to the master's degree, including two seminars in anthropology/archaeology.
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Biological Concentration Pathway1
21 additional credits to the master's degree, including coursework relevant to field of specialization.
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Cultural Concentration Pathway1
21 additional credits to the master's degree, including at least one graduate seminar numbered above 900 in addition to ANTHRO 860 and ANTHRO 900 in the Department of Anthropology. Students must also take ANTHRO 909, which may be taken as a directed study when it is not offered as a course by the department, and it affects a student’s progress. Substitutions for courses numbered 900 can only be made by petition to the Cultural Section.
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Intersectional Concentration Pathway1
There are no specific courses required; students choose courses in consultation with their advisor.
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
No credits from a UW-Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW-Madison University Special student. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
- Good standing (progressing according to standards; any funding guarantee remains in place).
- Probation (not progressing according to standards but permitted to enroll; loss of funding guarantee; specific plan with dates and deadlines in place in regard to removal of probationary status).
- Unsatisfactory progress (not progressing according to standards; not permitted to enroll, dismissal, leave of absence or change of advisor or program).
Progress criteria may be waived in special circumstances which must be stated in writing and approved by the appropriate section and signed by the department chair. Candidates not making satisfactory progress will be dropped from the program.
Advisor / Committee
Every graduate student will be assigned an advisor and a co-advisor. To ensure they are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects that students meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
Approval of a dissertation topic no later than the semester following passage of preliminary examinations is required.
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
Other
We have a limited amount of graduate student support through teaching assistantships and fellowships. These are awarded competitively and are only awarded to those applicants who have all their materials in by the application deadline.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within in either biological, archaeological or cultural anthropology in seminar papers and preliminary exam.
- Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge in one of the three subfields above in the preliminary exam and dissertation.
- Carry out original anthropological research and produce publishable work in the field including the writing of a dissertation; have a command of one or more foreign languages suited to their research when appropriate; actively compete for major intra- and extramural research grants; and teach effectively as assistants to professors in the department.
- Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
- Follows ethical principles of the discipline including respect and sensitivity to host cultures and communities, inclusiveness and diversity, civility and colleagiality, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.