Anthropology

Supported Degree Objectives


  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Master of Science (MS)
  • Non Degree

Required Supporting Documents


  • Transcripts
  • Recommendation Letters
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for degree-seeking applicants. The letters should preferably be from persons who can assess your academic potential such as faculty members or others who have served as advisors; those who have taught courses you have taken or have supervised you in a field-school or research setting. For applied anthropology, you may have letters from employers or supervisors that discuss your academic abilities, related work background, and potential for success in graduate school. Online recommendation providers will receive an email notification with instructions for accessing the recommendation system during the application process once you enter their names in the application.
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Writing Sample
    • An academic paper written in English. The writing sample should be an academic paper written in English and/or research or project report for which the applicant had lead authorship. The sample will be uploaded as part of the application.
  • Provisional PhD Research Topic (PhD applicants only)
    • Please submit a one-page single-spaced summary of your intended PhD research topic. Please include theoretical frameworks, research questions, methods anticipated, and a selected bibliography with key sources. The bibliography does not count toward the one-page limit of the summary. The writing sample and research topic can be uploaded as one document.
  • Curriculum Vitae
    • We request that you list in your CV under the heading "Preparation for Research" any research-related skills and experiences, such as: language competence, technical skills, qualitative and/or quantitative skills, lab experience, practitioner experience, previous research, and any other relevant experience.

English Proficiency Requirements


Non Degree Program Requirements


  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae

Master's Degree Program Requirements


  • Cumulative Grade Point Average from most recently conferred undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree:
    • 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0)

Doctoral Degree Program Requirements


  • Cumulative Grade Point Average from most recently conferred undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree:
    • 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0)
  • Master's Degree Required

Application Deadlines


  • Fall Spring Summer
    December 15 No Entry No Entry U.S. Citizen
    December 15 No Entry No Entry International

Program Contact Information


  • Name Brian Johnson
    Phone 765-496-7428
    Email anthgrad@purdue.edu
    Web Program Website
    Address Department of Anthropology
    Purdue University
    Stone Hall, Suite 219
    700 West State Street
    West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059
    USA

Additional Information


  • Current master's students wishing to be admitted to a doctoral degree program in this same graduate program will need to discuss the process with the Director of Graduate Studies and Academic Program Manager.
Purdue West Lafayette campus