Anthropology

Our educational program is based on the premise that Anthropology more than any other discipline provides insights into who we are, how we became this way, and what our future might be. The more students understand about both the past and current nature of biological and cultural diversity, the better able they are to cope with complex problems and make meaningful contributions to society locally, nationally and internationally. Whether undergraduates choose to pursue graduate training in anthropology or some other field, or move directly into the workforce, we seek to provide them with a broad education by offering large and small lecture classes and a variety of laboratories and field classes across the concentrations of anthropology. Our graduate degrees prepare students to follow either academic or applied careers in Anthropology.

Prior to initiating major research for the dissertation, the student must:

1. demonstrate proficiency in at least two foreign languages and/or other skills as determined by the student’s Committee on Studies;
2. pass a Ph.D. comprehensive examination; and
3. present the major topic of the proposed dissertation and explain the intended content.

Anthropology Concentrations–Required Coursework

Archaeology

The initial Ph.D. degree course work requirement consists of the following courses, which must be completed by the end of the student’s second year in residence:

    
Remaining course work consists of electives defined by the student after consultation with the Archaeology Faculty, Graduate Advisor, and their committee. 

NOTE: All incoming students must meet with the Archaeology Graduate Advisor to discuss program requirements. Students entering the program with an M.A. or M.S. in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology, may petition the faculty to modify the number and content of requirements and electives based on their previous graduate coursework. Students entering the program with a degree in another field may have deficiencies in their background. If the Graduate Advisor identifies deficiencies, the student must take additional course work in general Anthropology (i.e., ANTH 320, 330, 321 and/or 310). The student may request an exception from these courses by petitioning the Archaeology faculty.

Ethnology Anthropology

• ANTH 546 Theory in Ethnology I
• ANTH 547 Theory in Ethnology II
• ANTH 510 Linguistic Pro-Seminar

One methods course such as: ANTH 530 T: Visual Anthropology, ANTH 540 T: Autobiography and Life History in Anthropology, ANTH 530 T: Discourse analysis, ANTH 541 Problems and Practice in Ethnography.

Four additional seminars in Ethnology with at least a 3.67 GPA. If more than four are taken, the four with the highest grades fulfill this requirement.

Coursework completed for a previous master’s degree may be substituted for these required courses with the permission of the Ethnology Graduate Advisor. ANTH 530 T: “Proposal Writing” (can be taken only by post-M.A. students) is encouraged, but not required.

Evolutionary Anthropology

Evolutionary Anthropology students admitted to the Ph.D. program are required to follow the Plan II (Non-Thesis) option for their coursework prior to the Comprehensive Exam. Some Master's level work can be accepted from transfer students when appropriate.

The additional coursework requirements for a Ph.D. include:

1. One of the following: ANTH 663 HEE Research Methods and Design or ANTH 675 Anthropological Research Proposals
2. A course in specialized, quantitative analyses suited for the student's research. Suitable courses include STAT 575 Survival Analysis, or an equivalent with the student's Advisor's permission
3. Completion of further training in skills should be determined by the student in consultation with the advisor and other faculty if needed. These skills can be completed within or outside the department but must be appropriate to the student's dissertation project and career trajectory.

All other coursework consists of electives.

The Anthropology Graduate Application Committee begins reviewing complete graduate applications on the first Friday of January and does not accept any files or additional information after that date. It is up to the student to allow adequate time (6 to 8 weeks prior to the department deadline) for processing and mail delivery of the application. The department does not accept faxed or Xeroxed copies of any information. No exceptions are made.

The following materials must be included to complete the application file: three letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, official transcripts, GRE scores, the University of New Mexico graduate school application, Registration Information Form and application fee. Consult the department for further information.

Applicants to the graduate program in anthropology must identify their particular area of interest and their academic and professional goals in a letter of intent directed to the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. GRE scores (verbal/ analytical/quantitative) and three letters of recommendation also are required as part of the application which is reviewed by the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. Acceptance into the program depends upon: the number of openings available for new graduate students; the applicant’s potential as indicated by the materials submitted with the application; and agreement by an appropriate faculty person to act as advisor to the student. No student is accepted into the program unless he or she can be placed under the direction of a faculty advisor who helps to plan the student’s program. Students admitted to the program may change their advisor, subject to prior approval by the new advisor. Students are admitted to a specific area of concentration and must petition the appropriate concentration faculty for acceptance into another concentration. Continuation in the program requires progress at a rate deemed satisfactory by the appropriate concentration faculty, which reviews progress each year.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• Assistantships