Department Website
Program Description
The Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology offers a holistic approach to the study of humans and exposes students to the traditional subdisciplines of anthropology while ensuring that they also receive intensive training in particular problems within one subfield.
The concentrations available to students are: biological, archaeology, and sociocultural and linguistic. We also offer a Dual Degree Program with PhD in Anthropology and Advanced Certificate in Culture and Media. See Certificate Program in Culture and Media for more information.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
See Anthropology for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| | 20 |
| 52 |
| Total Credits | 72 |
Concentrations
Students must select from one of three concentrations:
Archaeology
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ANTH-GA 2213 | Archaeological Theory | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 2214 | Archaeological Methods & Techniques | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 1202 | Professional Development for Archaeologists | 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| Total Credits | 20 |
Biological Anthropology
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ANTH-GA 1505 | History and Philosophy of Biological Anthropology | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 1506 | Professional Development in Biological Anthropology | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 1507 | Primate Behavior, Ecology and Conservation | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 1508 | | 4 |
| ANTH-GA 1509 | Molecular Anthropology | 4 |
| Total Credits | 20 |
Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology
Additional Program Requirements
PhD Plan of Study
Students are required to create a program plan of study.
Comprehensive Examinations
On completion of at least 60 credits of course work and no later than one year after completion of all Ph.D. course requirements, a student must take the written Ph.D. comprehensive examinations. These examinations cover work in three areas of specialization and are evaluated by the student’s Ph.D. committee. Completion of these requirements as well as an oral defense of the dissertation proposal means that the student has achieved Ph.D. candidacy and is eligible for the M.Phil. and thus may pursue dissertation research.
Matriculated students are required to submit a Degree Completion form and Field Exam Proposal form to the Director of Graduate Studies for approval once completing 32 credits of course work, and by the fourth semester of matriculation.
Dissertation Defense, Approval, and Submission
When the student has completed at least one year in residence and all course and language requirements, passed the qualifying examinations, proposed an acceptable subject for the dissertation, and been recommended by the program, he or she is formally admitted to candidacy for the doctorate, and an advisory committee is appointed. While most committees are comprised of members from the program faculty, students are permitted to work with any appropriate member of the NYU faculty. Approval of the dissertation by the committee and a defense of the dissertation examination complete the requirements for the degree.
Departmental Approval
All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.
Sample Plan of Study
Plan of Study Grid
| 1st Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 2nd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 3rd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 4th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 5th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 6th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| | Total Credits | 72 |
Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Have a flexible, professional knowledge of each of the four fields of our discipline: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology. In their respective doctoral programs, we look for students to:
- Archaeology: Be familiar with the range and variation in material culture, morphology, and/or genetics found in contemporary and prehistoric human populations and in our early hominin relatives.
- Biological Anthropology: Understand the basic principles of evolutionary theory and the relevance of that theory for interpreting variation in human morphology, behavior, sociality, and cultural and linguistic practices.
- Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology: Be familiar with the diversity and plasticity of contemporary human behavior, social systems, and cultural practices.
- Be able to pose sophisticated questions concerning the origins and development of humans and their cultures and divergent systems of thought, belief, and social order in a manner that bridges the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
- Be able to think creatively, critically, and independently in researching and communicating theoretical ideas and research results both orally and in writing.
- Teach undergraduates and demonstrate promise in later graduate-level teaching in order to best train for the job market and to communicate the value of anthropological knowledge to wide audiences.
- Have the robust knowledge, skills, and experience to be competitive applicants for major national research grants, for jobs at top universities, and for jobs in the knowledge economy at large.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.