phd anthropology new york

• University Home
• Parsons School of Design
• Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
• College of Performing Arts
• The New School for Social Research
• Schools of Public Engagement
• Parsons Paris
• Continuing and Professional Education

Anthropology (PhD)

Take the next step.

• How to Apply
• Request Information
• Admission Events
• Check Application Status

General Admission Contact The New School for Social Research Office of Admission 72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor New York, NY 10011 212.229.5600 or 800.523.5411 [email protected]

Admissions Liaison [email protected]

Department of Anthropology 6 East 16th Street, 9th floor New York, NY 10003 Tel: 212.229.5757 x3016 Fax: 212.229.5595

Mailing Address 79 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor New York, NY 10003

Chair  Hugh Raffles

Senior Secretary Charles Whitcroft

Student Advisor Jack Jiang

Anthropology Student Handbook

Admission Links

• Tuition and Fees
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• View Courses
• Read and Download Viewbook
• Download Catalog

The PhD in Anthropology, open to those who have completed the Anthropology MA at The New School for Social Research, prepares students for creative independent research and teaching.

At the PhD level, we encourage students to develop their own theoretical and geographic specializations through participation in a required sequence of three doctoral proseminars and tutorial work with individual faculty.

• Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Credits 60 credits
• Format Full-time or part-time, on campus
• Start Term Fall

View current tuition and fees View fellowship and funding opportunities

A full account of degree requirements and procedures is contained in the  Anthropology student handbook .

PhD candidates must earn 30 credits in addition to the 30 credits taken in the Anthropology MA program, for a total of 60 credits. Students in the Anthropology MA program may apply for entry into the PhD program upon successful completion of the MA written examination and submission to the department of a brief written proposal indicating an area of future research.

To earn the PhD in Anthropology, a student must complete 30 credits beyond the MA, including:

• Three doctoral proseminar courses in the Anthropology department: a course in project conceptualization, a course in ethnographic research methods, and a grant-writing workshop
• At least one course in the history and one course in the ethnography of the area in which they will be working (these area courses may be taken either at The New School or through the Inter-University Consortium)

Department Workshops Doctoral students are required to attend the bimonthly department workshop. The content of the workshop is determined by students in consultation with workshop faculty, and has included presentations by anthropology faculty on such topics as publishing, grant-writing, and job talks; as well as presentations by students of research proposals, dissertation chapters, and reports from the field. The workshop is also often the catalyst for student-organized themed conferences. In addition, doctoral students are required to attend the department colloquia series of invited speakers.

Language Requirement Each PhD student, regardless of specialization, must demonstrate reading knowledge of one language other than English by passing a language examination administered by the department. Some area specializations will require further language study to be determined in consultation with faculty. If further study is recommended, arrangements will be made through The New School's foreign language program or the Inter-University Consortium.

Graduate Minors Students can use elective courses toward completing one of the university’s  graduate minors . These structured pathways of study immerse master's and doctoral students in disciplines outside their primary field and expose them to alternative modes of research and practice. Completed graduate minors are officially recorded on students' transcript.

Qualifying Examination and Dissertation All Anthropology doctoral students are required to pass the Qualifying Examination to advance to candidacy and continue towards the doctoral degree. In general, students are expected to take the exam within two years of entering the doctoral program.

The Qualifying Examination consists of two parts: a written proposal and a three-hour oral examination. The written component has three elements: a detailed prospectus that describes the student's proposed research project and two bibliographic essays on fields selected and developed in consultation with the student's advisor and Qualifying Examination Committee. Following successful completion of this exam, the PhD candidate normally begins an extended period of ethnographic fieldwork. The written dissertation and its defense in front of a committee of four faculty members constitute the remaining requirements for the PhD.

Take The Next Step

• Request Info

Submit your application

Undergraduates.

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Anthropology (PhD)

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.

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the  general application requirements , which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores  (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation , and
• A non-refundable  application fee .

See Anthropology for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Archaeology

Biological anthropology, cultural and linguistic anthropology, phd plan of study, comprehensive examinations, dissertation defense, approval, and submission, departmental approval, program requirements.

Concentrations

Students must select from one of three concentrations:

Additional Program Requirements

Students are required to create a program plan of study.

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.

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.

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

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:

• 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.

NYU Policies

Graduate school of arts and science policies.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page . 

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

• Interesting for you
• My settings

Go to your profile page to get personalised recommendations!

• QUICK LINKS

Anthropology

Anthropologists study people—our diversity, our cultural practices, our social and political relations, our evolutionary history and our changing environments over time.

Anthropology offers a unique perspective on topics from racism and inequality to biodiversity conservation, from climate change to the varied cultures of New York City.

We offer a comprehensive major and several minors in specific areas of anthropology, and are home to the only public college MA program in anthropology in New York City. We teach students to understand contemporary global issues and how they reflect fundamental human concerns.

• Undergraduate Program
• Graduate Program

Upcoming Events

Curious about a career in museums? Join Hunter College's Anthropology and History Departments for the Museum Careers Panel.

Join us to celebrate the launch of Professor Marc Edelman's new book, "Peasant Politics of the Twenty-First Century!"

Doctoral Lecturer in Anthropology Ingrid Lundeen has won a prize from the Journal of Human Evolution for a paper on primate fossils.

Read the Full Paper

Hunter College Anthropology Professor Jonathan Shannon long has served as one of the foremost chroniclers of the rich history of traditional ...

A new doctoral lecturer in Hunter’s Anthropology Department has made an important discovery about starlings.

"With each class, I learned to see the world with a different lens. The study of human culture is an endlessly fascinating endeavor. My mentors and teachers made it all the more enjoyable and rewarding!" Heba Shaaban, anthropology & biochemistry major and Macaulay Honors graduate '18

Faculty & Staff

Our faculty conduct research around the globe, in the field, the laboratory, and the library, using the methods of ethnography, evolutionary science, archaeology and critical cultural studies. Our active research projects invite student engagement.

• Meet the Department
• Learn About Our Research

• Skip to Main
• Master's Programs

Ph.D. Programs

• Global & Online Programs
• Library and Information Science Dual - Degree Program
• Certificate Programs
• Application Resource Center
• Financial Aid
• Admissions Events
• Campus Tours
• Newly-Admitted Students
• Message from the GSAS Dean
• Academic Calendar
• Inter-University Doctoral Consortium
• Submitting Your Dissertation
• Fellowships and Awards
• Fellowships & Awards
• Alumni Features
• Public Humanities Initiative
• New Student Orientation
• GSAS Convocation
• The Master's College
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• OASA Room Reservations
• Graduate Student Council
• Graduate Student Clubs
• Student Resources
• Doctoral Alumni Association
• Senior Administration
• Dean's Office
• Policies and Procedures
• Directors of Graduate Studies & Program Directors
• Standing Committees
• History of GSAS
• Dean's Conference Room
• Administrative Resources
• Dean's Advisory Council
• Research in GSAS
• Give to GSAS
• NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize
• Event Calendar
• TELL GSAS Doctoral Research Days

A doctorate is the pinnacle of an arts and science education. Founded in 1886, the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU is among the oldest schools offering doctoral programs in the United States. Today NYU’s doctoral programs span the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, and students pursue cutting-edge research with the close supervision of NYU’s internationally recognized research faculty. New York City resources complement and enhance our vibrant intellectual communities. Use the links below to explore Doctor of Philosophy and dual advanced degrees at New York University.

Ph.D. Programs Dual Degree Programs

PhD: Anthropology

Anthropology, phd.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology is awarded to students who have shown mastery of the general materials of anthropology and a substantial command of the specialized subject matter of one or more of the four subfields (Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, or Sociocultural Anthropology) and who have successfully carried out and formally presented research judged to constitute an original contribution to the discipline.

We highly recommend that students contact faculty members they are most interested in working with before applying. Applicants are not required to have an MA or MS before admission, though some faculty prefer to admit students with an MA or MS. Students who enter with an MA or MS are required to demonstrate that they have fulfilled our MA requirements, either in their previous institution or here, before they can advance to candidacy.

Students with an MA/MS (or professional equivalent) may apply directly to our PhD program; students with a BA may also apply for admission to our PhD program, and will be required to complete an MA before being considered for advancement in our PhD program.

Applicants are not required to submit GRE aptitude test scores. Students from countries in which English is not the primary language must also submit TOEFL scores; additionally, all foreign students must provide immigration forms guaranteeing financial support.

Admission to candidacy

To be admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology, a student must have satisfied at least the minimal course credit requirement (at least 56 hours, exclusive of courses graded below B-, with a GPA of 3.5 or better), and all MA requirements. In addition, a student must:

pass a written examination covering three literature areas (one of which may be a regional competency examination)

propose a dissertation research project in colloquium before the department

pass an oral examination administered by the guidance committee in which questions address both the written exam and the colloquium

Submit a dissertation prospectus approved by the student's doctoral committee.

Minimum credits satisfying master's requirements (subfields and electives): 30

Electives (exclusive of ANTH 591, 599, 698, 699, and including no more than 8 credits of ANTH 597, and not more than 8 credits of course work outside of anthropology) to be chosen with the advice of the student's guidance committee and the written approval of its chair: 26

ANTH 699, Dissertation, as required to maintain registration after admission to candidacy.

Total minimum credit hours: 56

Students who have completed an MA at another university or in another discipline may request credit for up to 30 credit hours toward the PhD, and they may request exemption from one or more of the subfield distribution or discipline-specific requirements on the basis of previous graduate coursework in the relevant area. Students should address such requests to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Funding is limited, and all students who apply by the Fall deadline (December 15th) are automatically considered for funding as a Teaching or Research Assistant.

Funding covers tuition for the required graduate credits plus a stipend. Students who are eligible for the Clark Fellowship should submit this application at the same time.

See language requirement for the master's degree. Students having completed an MA at another university that required a language examination may submit evidence of having satisfied this requirement. In some instances, the choice of research area by the student may require demonstration of additional language proficiency (e.g. due to a lack of relevance of the language competence previously demonstrated).

Students should seek the advice of the members of their doctoral committee regarding appropriate language and research skills for the pursuit of their individualized programs of study. 

Each doctoral candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete an original research project and submit the findings in a dissertation acceptable to the student's dissertation committee. Upon approval by this committee, the dissertation must be defended in a public defense attended by the candidate's committee, an outside reader appointed by and representing the dean of the Graduate School and any others who wish to attend. A successful defense and submission of the dissertation to the Graduate School complete the requirements for awarding the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share by Email

Last Updated: 7/13/23

Advertisement

What to Know About J.D. Vance, Trump’s Running Mate

The 39-year-old from Ohio was best known as the author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” before his election to the Senate in 2022.

• Share full article

By Maggie Astor

• July 15, 2024

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, the newly announced running mate to former President Donald J. Trump, has gone on a rapid journey over the past eight years from best-selling author and outspoken Trump critic to one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest defenders and, now, his would-be second in command.

Before running for office, Mr. Vance, 39, was known as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a best-selling memoir recounting his upbringing in a poor family that also served as a sort of sociological examination of white working-class Americans. The book was published the summer before Mr. Trump’s election in 2016, and many readers looked to it after his victory as a sort of guide to understanding Mr. Trump’s support among white working-class communities.

Mr. Vance himself harshly denounced Mr. Trump during his 2016 campaign. But by 2022, he had embraced Mr. Trump, winning a crowded Republican Senate primary with his backing and becoming a reliable pro-Trump voice in Congress.

Here is more on Mr. Vance’s background and views.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .