ucla anthropology phd application

• Our PhD Program

Graduate Study in Anthropological Archaeology at UCLA

Our ph.d. program.

The archaeology graduate program in the Department of Anthropology aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the major subfields of anthropology as well as anthropological archaeology. The curriculum combines theoretical and methodological training with a regional foci generally in the Pacific Rim, including east, southeast, and south Asia, western North America, and Mesoamerica. Our students benefit from our close relationship with the Archaeology Interdepartmental Program and the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology , which enables archaeological study and training unlike most programs in North America. Faculty and students engaged in archaeology are located across a wide range of departments at UCLA, yet interact and work together through the Cotsen Institute. The Cotsen Institute supports archaeological research and public outreach, houses archaeological laboratories, and hosts numerous archaeology-focused talks and seminars. Archaeological study at UCLA is unique in its breadth and inclusion of perspectives from anthropology, classics, art history, area studies, conservation, and the material sciences.

The archaeology program at the Department of Anthropology is different from the Archaeology IDP, but students in both programs work closely with each other. In fact, students from both programs take the same Archaeology core series in their first year. Students in the Department of Anthropology also take core seminars in Cultural Anthropology and Biological Anthropology, and also work with their peers and faculty in the larger anthropology graduate program. The remainder of course work is fulfilled through seminars and laboratory/field courses. The faculty place a strong emphasis on students’ independent professional development, encouraging our students to participate in field work in multiple regions, present at regional, national, and international scholarly meetings, and publish their own research.

The Department of Anthropology awards all graduate students offered admission multiple-year funding packages that include a mix of fellowship years and teaching assistantships. Our students regularly secure further support through national programs (NSF, Ford Foundation) and in campus wide competitions for fellowship funding, including Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, Graduate Research Mentorships (both summer and academic year) and Dissertation Year Fellowships. Students are also eligible to apply for department and campus support for conference participation and research.

Application information is available on the Department of Anthropology webpage.

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Application for UCLA Graduate Admissions

• Application

All applicants should familiarize themselves with the “Program” page of this website to gain a detailed understanding of the structure and requirements of the program before applying.

Interested students must be majors or minors and must be on JUNIOR status with two years remaining at UCLA ; that is, expecting to graduate in Spring or Summer quarters of 2025.

Applications will open in the Fall quarter of 2023 . To learn more about the program, please join the Anthropology Undergraduate Student email list to stay updated on information sessions and the application process. You may find the Undergraduate Student Advisor contact information here .

The program contact person is the Lemelson Honors TA: Emilia Rose Holmbeck ( [email protected]  /  [email protected] )

Applications to the Lemelson honors program are due  November 20th, 2023 at 11:59pm. Please submit all application materials  as a single PDF file via Google Forms here.

There will be two information sessions. If you’d like to learn more or have your questions answered, please sign up for one session below:

• Thursday, Oct. 12th from 10am-12pm in the Reading Room (Haines 352)
• Wednesday, Oct. 18th from 10am-12pm in the Reading Room (Haines 352)

Click here to sign up for office hours.

Minimum Requirements

• Declared Anthropology Major or Minor (by Winter Quarter)
• Enrolled in upper division Anthropology courses (transfer students who have not had the opportunity to enroll in upper division Anthropology courses may apply without fulfilling this requirement)
• Junior Class Standing (90 or more units)
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all university course work completed
• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 in upper division Anthropology courses or their equivalent

Application Materials

The Honors application must include the following documents. Students need to create a SINGLE PDF document that contains all the required application materials. The documents should appear in the following order:

• Cover sheet form ( Download Here )
• Transcripts showing all relevant course work and grades (copies are okay)
• A 400-600 word research proposal (see guideline below)
• A 5-8 page writing sample from a previous course. It is preferred that the writing sample comes from a previous course in anthropology, however, writings done in other social science courses will also be accepted.
• An email or memo from the faculty member in the Department of Anthropology who agrees to serve as the student’s Faculty Mentor. The faculty’s email should be sent to the applicant, who will then include it with the application materials.

Finding a Faculty Mentor

The primary Faculty Mentor must come from the Anthropology department.

The faculty must agree in writing to be the student’s mentor prior to the student’s submission of application to the program. If appropriate, a second mentor may be selected from within or outside of the Anthropology department. It is recommended for students to secure the second faculty mentor during the first weeks of Winter quarter of the program and before the beginning research.

Guidelines and Tips for the Research Proposal

Applicants should use the numbered subheadings below to structure their proposals:

I. Research Problem

Clearly state the topic that you intend to explore and where this research will be done.  Give a brief indication of what kind of research has already been done on this topic (or some closely related topic) so to provide the Honors Committee a context for understanding its anthropological importance. Keep in mind that simple ideas or simple tests of ideas can produce important results; an elaborate theory is not a requisite to do an Honors project. If appropriate, make clear the particular perspective you may bring to the project. This section should constitute the bulk of the proposal.

II. Methods.

Include a plan that outlines the methods and procedures for data collection and analysis of your research project.

III. Timeline .

Provide a tentative project schedule to demonstrate that your plan is feasible for execution in the time frame of five quarters from Winter quarter of Junior year to Spring quarter of Senior year. A high level of detail is not needed at this point. Data collection must conclude by the start of Fall quarter Senior year.

NOTE: Proposals of fewer than 400 words are likely to be insufficiently detailed to be properly evaluated or accepted. Follow the word limits with care.

For inquiries about the Lemelson Anthropological Honors Program and the application process, please contact Emilia Rose Holmbeck , the Lemelson Honors TA ( [email protected] ).

Transfer Students

Transfer students are encouraged to apply to the Lemelson Honors Program. Many of our graduating Honors students were transfer students and arrived to UCLA in their Junior year.

Departmental Selection Process

Entry into the Honors program is competitive. Those selected to join the Honors program typically have a strong academic record and high GPAs (exceeding the minimums above), have been exposure to anthropological concepts and methods through enrollment in several Anthropology courses before the start of the program, and present a promising research proposal. The admissions committee, consisting of the faculty teaching the Honors courses, reviews the proposals and other application materials and may select to conduct brief interviews with applicants.

Q: Who should I contact with questions about the program. A: Contact the program TA.

Q: Is having an anthropology mentor/advisor a requirement at the time of application? A: Yes.

Q: How do I go about finding a anthropology faculty mentor? Is it my responsibility to solicit their participation? A: Finding a faculty mentor is the responsibility of the honors applicant; however, the honors TA can direct you to faculty with similar research interests. Students should meet with appropriate faculty to discuss their projects and the possibility of mentorship. Beginning this process early in the Fall quarter can be a great advantage.

Q: How do I choose a research project? A: Think of a problem or situation that interests you and how you might examine that problem through research questions and anthropological methods. Clarity and feasibility are important qualities of strong research proposals. Try to work with your potential mentor and the program TA to develop the proposal portion of your application.

Q: Do I have to take all five of the honors courses offered through this program? A: Yes. Students must take one Lemelson Honors (L.H.) course per quarter for five consecutive quarters.

Q: Is research funding available for all L.H. students? A: In the past, all L.H. students in good standing received funding for their projects (determined annually).

Q: How much work does the program require? A: The program includes rigorous training in the development and completion of an independent research project. Students entering the program should be prepared to dedicate at least 5-10 hours a week outside of class to the develop of their projects.

Q: Do the L.H. courses count for course requirements in the anthropology major or minor? A: Contact the Anthropology Undergraduate Advisor with questions regarding requirements for the major and minor.

Q: Do transfer students need to have completed upper division anthropology courses to apply? A: No, but all applicants must have junior status in the Winter Quarter they begin the program.

Q: Besides the coursework and completing my research project, are there other activities or responsibilities that are part of the program? A: Yes, L.H. students are expected to participate in three additional activities: (1) a weekend “retreat”in the Spring Quarter; (2) a one day presentation conference held towards the end of the Spring Quarter; and (3) a meeting with L.H. faculty at the beginning of each quarter.

Q: Do I need to complete and submit a “senior thesis” to graduate with Lemelson Anthropology Honors? A: Yes.

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Application Checklist Overview

As of August 18, 2024: The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health will now have one required application for the MPH*, MS and PhD degrees in each department. Applicants should complete the requirements for the SOPHAS application as noted below. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.

The priority deadline for matriculation in 2025 is December 1, 2024 . If you are applying after this date, please contact the department directly to ensure that applications are still being received.

*MPH – this does not apply to the Executive MPH or the MPH-HP programs. This also does not apply to the MHA or MDSH programs.

Step 1: SOPHAS Application

The primary application system for applicants is SOPHAS, the common application for public health schools. Please submit the following materials here :

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose – Maximum of 1500 words. The statement should describe the following: a) reasons for interest in public health, b) reasons for interest in the program of study and/or concentration; c) reasons for interest in UCLA; and d) career goals. If you are applying to a doctoral program, you should include your proposed research topics.
• Personal Statement – Maximum of 500 words. The personal statement is an additional opportunity for the reviewing committee to learn more about any challenges faced, personal background, and past and future contributions to diversity. Full information can be found on SOPHAS. Applicants should address one or more prompts in the personal statement.
• Applicants with less than three years of post bac professional experience should submit a minimum of two academic letters and one professional letter. 
• Applicants with more than three years of post bac professional experience may elect to submit three professional letters.
•  Applicants with less than three years of post bac professional experience should submit a minimum of one academic letter and two professional letters. 
• Applicants with more than three years of post bac professional experience may elect to submit three professional letters
• Official Transcripts – Applicants should submit one set of official transcripts from each institution they have attended. International applicants must submit transcripts through World Education Services (WES) for an official WES evaluation.
• Official GRE Test Scores* — Please check here to determine GRE requirements. ETS code is: 4225.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores – Applicants may view English proficiency requirements here . TOEFL code for SOPHAS is: 5688 IELTS code for SOPHAS: See instructions on submitting your scores to SOPHAS here
• Writing Sample – This component is only necessary for doctoral applicants applying to the Department of Community Health Sciences or the Department of Health Policy and Management.
• SOPHAS Application Fee – The fee is nonrefundable. The amount will vary according to the number of applications submitted.

For questions about the application process please contact SOPHAS at:

SOPHAS P.O. Box 9111 Watertown, MA 02471 Telephone: 617-612-2090 Email: [email protected]

For Overnight Delivery of Materials Only: SOPHAS c/o Liaison International 311 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472

Step 2: UCLA Division of Graduate Education Application Fee

All applicants to UCLA must complete the UCLA Division of Graduate Education application. The information you submit through SOPHAS (step 1) will be transferred over to the UCLA graduate application. However, all applicants must also submit the UCLA application fee in addition to the SOPHAS application fee. The fee is nonrefundable.

Letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, professional experience, resume, and supporting should ONLY be uploaded to SOPHAS . 

An application will not be reviewed until both the SOPHAS fee and UCLA graduate application fee have been paid.

** Applicants should receive a separate email from UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on how to pay the UCLA DGE application fee. Those applying in August will receive an email in September. 

Application Requirements for Executive Programs:

Applicants to the MPH-HP, EMPH, MHA and MDSH programs are only required to submit the UCLA Division of Graduate Application. If you are applying to any of these programs do not complete a SOPHAS application.

Application Requirements for Joint Degree Applicants:

Prospective applicant applying to MPH Joint Degree

• Submit the SOPHAS Application and pay the application fee.
• Please ensure you fulfill the joint program's application requirements.

**Applicants should receive a separate email from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on how to pay the UCLA DGE application fee. Those applying in August will receive an email in September. 

Current UCLA Graduate Students Applying to MPH Joint Degree

• Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and ensure you select to be considered for a fee waiver on the fee waiver section of the application. Upon submitting the application, please then reach out to Sukhwinder Sagoo or Jose Ruiz-Rodriguez regarding the fee waiver. 
• Submit a Change of Major petition. Please contact  Sukhwinder Sagoo or Jose Ruiz-Rodriguez for more information on completing this requirement. 

**Please do not pay the UCLA Graduate Application fee as the application fee is non-refundable.

Current UCLA School of Medicine Students applying to MPH Joint Degree

• UCLA MPH/MD or Prime MD students can apply to the MPH program by December 1st of their second year under the new Discovery curriculum. 

Current UCLA Law School Students applying to MPH Joint Degree

• Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and pay the application fee.

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Studying Anthropology Major at UCLA: My Experience

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What’s Covered:

What is anthropology, what can you do with an anthropology degree, studying anthropology at ucla.

• Opportunities for Students Studying Anthropology at UCLA

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at UCLA?

When I began my journey at UCLA, I had absolutely no idea what anthropology was, let alone what career path I wanted to take. Four years later I graduated from UCLA with a BS in Anthropology and minors in both Gerontology and Global Health.

I hope this article gives you some insight into what studying anthropology is like and the career opportunities that are available!

Anthropology is simply the study of humans. The field is often said to be the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities. As an anthropologist, you examine the complexity of the human experience through the past and present within four different fields:

• Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology

One of the reasons I love anthropology is because of its breadth. You are bound to find something within the field of anthropology that interests you. For me, it was within biological anthropology as I was interested in healthcare and medicine. As an anthropology major, I have stood out in my applications for graduate school in healthcare administration as I’ve been able to understand healthcare from a different light due to my courses—for example, how cultural differences can affect access to healthcare or healthcare outcomes.

Anthropology BA

Due to anthropology’s interdisciplinary approach in the fields of biology, history, linguistics, the social sciences, and many of the humanities, students pursuing a BA in Anthropology can find themselves pursuing a variety of careers in fields such as:

• Advertising
• Software Development
• Market Research
• Museum Curation
• Health / Public Health

Anthropology BS

Due to the Anthropology BS’s focus on science, students pursuing a BS in anthropology can find a career in which they’re either practicing science, or using science to help others such as:

• Evidence-based Public Policy
• Healthcare Management

UCLA’s Anthropology Department even offers a course titled “Careers in Anthropology” to provide students an overview of the various career paths that are available to them after graduation by bringing in UCLA anthropology alumni that have succeeded in a variety of fields from medicine to tech. Additionally the course allows you to develop professional skills, such as resume building. 

UCLA’s Department of Anthropology was founded in 1941 and has consistently ranked among the top 10 programs in the country due to its faculty and teaching. UCLA’s Anthropology faculty engage in cutting edge research. For example, Professor Molly Fox focuses on the transmissions of genes, phenotypes, and diseases between grandmothers, mothers, and children. 

At UCLA, there are some majors that require students to complete an application after completing certain courses.  For students interested in anthropology, you can simply make an appointment with your counselor and request to be “pre-anthropology”. You remain pre-anthropology until you complete all of your preparatory coursework which I will discuss in the next section.

Requirements

At UCLA, there are two requirements for individuals who want to pursue a major in Anthropology: preparatory courses and major courses.

Both the Anthropology BA and BS require the following preparatory courses:

• Anthropology 1: Human Evolution
• Anthropology 2: Archaeology
• Anthropology 3: Culture and Society
• Anthropology 4: Culture and Communication

These courses are designed to introduce you to the four subfields of anthropology and allow students to decide whether anthropology is for them. These courses also satisfy UCLA General Education requirements so if you decide that you want to switch majors, you will not have wasted considerable time!

For the Anthropology BS, students must also additionally complete the following preparatory courses:

• Physics Series and Lab
• Chemistry Series and Lab
• Life Science Series and Lab
• Math Series and Statistics

These preparatory courses are considered those typical “pre-med” courses which is why the Anthropology BS is a great option for students who are considering careers in medicine or the sciences.

The anthropology major courses provide much more flexibility and freedom for students pursuing either the BA or the BS because students are required to take courses across the different subfields of anthropology such as Archaeology, Biology, Linguistics, Regional Cultures & Societies, Methods, History or Theory. Both degrees give students the opportunity to explore classes from across the full range of the discipline, while also allowing students to prioritize those areas that most interest them.

As a student pursuing the Anthropology BS with an interest in healthcare, I made sure to take as many healthcare focused courses as possible. Some of my favorite courses in the Anthropology department include:

• Anthropology 149: Health, Power, and Inequality
• Anthropology 139: Doctors, Clinics, and Biomedicine

These courses taught me the complex nature of the United States healthcare system when it comes to access and affordability.

As I mentioned previously, anthropology is a holistic field so I’ve also taken a variety of courses in different disciplines such as:

• An examination of ancient and modern cities to evaluate how urban form developed and continues to thrive as a human social phenomenon.
• An introduction to different views on population movement from refugee crisis and migration tendencies to policies surrounding newcomers’ incorporation and anti-immigration political strategies. Examination of motivations for migration, both voluntary and involuntary movements (e.g., displacement, slave trades, or ethnic violence) are also covered.
• An examination of how photography is used in the field of anthropology. For example: primary data, illustrations of words in books, documentation for disappearing cultures, evidence of fieldwork, material objects for museum exhibitions, and even works of art. 
• A focus on genetic research on wild primates at different geographic scales, using readings from primary literature on primate genetics, ecology, and behavior.

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Cool Opportunities for Students Studying Anthropology at UCLA

Study Abroad

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of anthropology, studying abroad is a great opportunity for students!

I attended a study abroad program at the University of Sussex in Brighton on the southern coast of England during the summer of 2019. While in England, I completed all of my physics courses and labs in just a span of 8 weeks compared to the 33 weeks it would take at UCLA. This was a great way for me to travel while also reducing the stress of taking the challenging physics series during the school year along with my other courses at UCLA. 

Although studying physics abroad is a great option for those pursuing their BS in Anthropology at UCLA, there are also abroad programs for students pursuing their BA in Anthropology. One of my friends studied abroad in Italy during the summer and completed various Anthropology major courses during her time there.

Lemelson Undergraduate Honors Program

The Lemelson Undergraduate Honors Program is a wonderful opportunity for anthropology students who want to engage in research with faculty in the department of anthropology and receive a Departmental Honors Designation on their diploma. The program provides selected students with the ability to conduct original research funded by the Lemelson Foundation and mentorship by anthropology faculty members. 

As part of the Honors Programs, students must submit a final Honors thesis to reflect their research in 25-30 pages of text. Honors students must also complete additional research focused courses, attend the annual Lemelson Honors retreat, and present their research project and findings at the annual Lemelson Honors Conference.

Clubs and Organizations

One of my favorite things about UCLA is the amount of clubs and organizations available. You can pursue all of your passions and interests. UCLA is home to over 1,000 student clubs and organizations. There’s even an Undergraduate Anthropology Association which aims to connect anthropology department faculty and students. Additionally, the organization holds panels on graduate school and career opportunities.

While UCLA’s acceptance rate is relatively low (around 14%), your personal chances of acceptance may vary.

To better understand your chances at UCLA, we recommend using our free admissions calculator . Using your grades, extracurriculars, and more, we’ll estimate your odds of acceptance. The calculator will give you tips on how you can become a more competitive applicant.

You can also search for best-fit schools based on your chances, and other factors that may be important to you, like if you want to study anthropology. This tool will make it a lot easier to create a strategy for your college application process.

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Graduate Study

UCLA provides world-class academic and professional training to meet the growing demand for area experts. The Center for Near Eastern Studies integrates the study of the Middle East at UCLA, including study of Middle Eastern American communities. The department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures offers MA and PhD degrees in Islamic Studies, Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations, Arabic, Armenian, Egyptology, Hebrew Bible, Iranian, Jewish Studies, Semitics, and Turkic.

Graduate students also receive degrees for Middle East research in other disciplines. Recent PhD's have been awarded for Middle East topics in the departments of Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Archaeology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Education, English, Musicology and Ethnomusicology, French and Francophone Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Germanic Languages, History, Library and Information Science, Political Science, Urban Planning, Social Welfare, Sociology, Spanish, Theater, and World Arts & Cultures. Prospective students should apply for admission to the relevant department.

To explore each department's degrees, faculty, courses, and admissions requirements, visit the UCLA Graduate Programs website.

UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies

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Campus Mail Code: 148003

Tel: (310) 825-1181

Email: [email protected]

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How to Apply

The annual application deadline for the Graduate Program in Anthropology is December 15th. To apply, please use the application system available at the GSAS admissions web page .

Graduate applicants should provide one writing sample with their application.  Please limit samples to no more than 40 pages, double spaced.

First Certificates in Cultural Heritage Research, Stewardship, and Restitution Awarded

In a recent milestone, Lucha Martínez de Luna, Maryan Ragheb, and Mary Anastasi—the first graduate students enrolled in UCLA’s  Cultural Heritage Research, Stewardship, and Restitution  program—have received their certificates. This specialized program, open to any matriculated or incoming graduate student at UCLA, is part of the newly founded Waystation Initiative at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. The Initiative is focused on the voluntary return of cultural objects to the communities and nations of origin.

“Students seeking to develop or expand their expertise in cultural heritage and material cultural research will find this certificate an invaluable supplement to their graduate studies,” according to Dr. Lyssa Stapleton , director of the Waystation Initiative. 

The 16-unit certification program begins with a core seminar on methods for conducting historical and provenance research on cultural objects. Students are challenged to explore current ethical practices, evolving views in conservation, legal frameworks, and the multiple challenges surrounding the protection, care, and restitution of cultural heritage items.

Lab-based coursework on current techniques in artifact analysis is prioritized to provide students the opportunity to directly conduct technical studies on actively researched cultural objects. Workshops are held throughout the year to complement and extend the development of specialized skills in community engagement, collaborative research, and cultural stewardship. Finally, utilizing their new resources and skill sets, each student completes a capstone project focusing on building a complete picture of the transactional history, material composition, and authenticity of their assigned objects

Throughout the 2023-24 academic year, students worked directly with cultural objects, building skills in research and analysis while collaborating with descendant communities and cultural heritage professionals, Stapleton explained. She noted that each student in this inaugural cohort framed their experience as a natural extension of their academic pursuits and interests. All cited a strong desire to further their knowledge and expertise in contemporary, ethically grounded, and technically advanced cultural heritage stewardship as the initial draw, she added.

“The evolving field demands a collaborative approach, and students felt the program prepared them not only to tackle the intricate challenges at hand but also to help them serve as educators for other academics on the nuances involved. By integrating various research techniques, exploring legality and ethics, delving into museology studies and more, students found the program broadened their skills beyond the confines of their respective academic niches,” according to Stapleton.

Lucha Martínez de Luna emphasized that “enrolling in the certificate program allowed me to discover strategies and find solutions to work with various stakeholders interested in returning past communities' belongings to their descendants and beginning conversations about how cultural institutions can become more transparent.”

Maryan Ragheb enthusiastically recommended the certificate and highlighted the program’s relevance to their academic interests, explaining that “establishing connections to my specific area of interest has made the discussions and skills gained in the certificate program invaluable for incorporating this work into my CV and personal statements.” 

Leaders of the Initiative and certificate program are proud of the hard work and dedication shown by this first group of graduate students, according to Stapleton. She sees the Initiative as “advancing new practices and training that frame the social justice objectives of Indigenous communities, involve students directly in advancing ethical standards for the stewardship of cultural heritage, and create a broad network of international professionals working towards similar goals.”

She notes that “returning objects to the nation or community of origin is a complex and time-consuming process that very few individuals are prepared to pursue when they realize they cannot donate objects directly to a museum. The Waystation temporarily stewards objects and facilitates their return, thereby providing a much-needed resolution for both individuals trying to do the right thing and for nations of origin and descendant communities who wish to be reunited with their cultural heritage,” she continued.

Her vision for the certificate program was to fill the gap in the educational space around cultural heritage and restitution, creating a network for a new generation of professionals in the sector. This includes involving students in the process of collaborating with all parties to produce creative solutions in stewardship of cultural items as they move through the ethically and legally complex process of being returned to communities or nations of origin. She underscores that the Waystation is a leading-edge initiative, “...establishing new practices and providing training to emerging professionals that cannot be obtained at any other university in the U.S.” Mary Anastasi emphasized how the courses in the program gave her a more nuanced understanding and “in particular, the certificate introduced me to cultural heritage law and the different legal agreements the US has with different countries, which affects the return of objects to a much greater extent than I originally thought.” 

The need for this kind of education is a sentiment echoed by Dr. Min Li , associate professor of anthropology at UCLA, who says, “the certificate program at UCLA fills in a critical gap of provenance research and responsible returns in the field of cultural heritage studies. With the increasing emphasis on decolonization in archaeology and museum studies, tracing the objects to their origin and making proper efforts for returning them to the country/community of origin becomes an increasingly significant task for future scholars and curators.”

Acknowledging that access to this kind of interdisciplinary knowledge is often difficult due to the complex nature of the information, Li mentions the challenges faced by the Waystation to address all of these concerns in an equitable and ethical way. According to Li, the push came to “overcome these concerns by looking at the big picture. First, there is a growing desire for social justice in graduate student training…Second, there is a growing need to prepare students for non-academic career tracks, such as museum work. The program offers real experience of provenance research and collaboration with scholars and students from source countries and communities… It is impossible to deny such an opportunity to the students.”

The certificate program commences every fall, and all incoming or current UCLA graduate students who are pursuing an MA or PhD are eligible and encouraged to apply. Graduate students may take between one and three years to complete the coursework. Applications may be submitted year-round, with a maximum of ten students admitted per year. Learn more and prepare to apply to the certificate program  here .

Ethnomusicology

Graduate student resources.

Program Information

The  MA/PhD in Ethnomusicology  investigates music in cultural and social contexts. In preparing students for careers in studying global music communities, our program assists students in understanding music as social practice from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Students are introduced to the intellectual history of the field and its paradigmatic shifts, and research methodology in preparation for ethnographic fieldwork. Our ethnomusicology program seeks to prepare students for careers in the academy, public sector, the music industry, and/or cultural heritage policy-making. We also offer seminars in select global music cultures as well as topics, which examine music as related to gender, politics, religion, economics, philosophy, aesthetics, and musical practice.

As you progress through your programs, pause to explore the resources we’ve gathered to assist you in navigating your studies. This page contains program checklists, petitions and forms, exam details, enrollment requests, and recital information for all our graduate students in The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

We aim to support you in achieving your academic aspirations and succeeding in your educational journey. Should you have any questions regarding enrollment or planning that cannot be answered on this page, please contact [email protected].

Office of Student Affairs 1642 Schoenberg Music Building UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music 445 Charles E Young Drive E Los Angeles, CA 90095-1616 Phone:  310-206-5802

Petitions and Forms for Ethnomusicology

Graduate Departmental Course Petition

This petition is used to substitute courses taken within the department or an outside department and have them count towards a degree required course. Students are only able to substitute courses taken at UCLA only. Students requesting transfer of credit from an outside institution must use the Division of Graduate Education Graduate Degree Petition.

Ethnomusicology 596 Enrollment Petition

This petition serves as a course proposal for enrollment into the 596 courses directed to individual studies. Prior to completing this petition, the student must contact the instructor they plan to complete their assignment with to confirm they will be available to work with the student in the requested quarter. This petition must be approved by relevant faculty and filed with the SAO prior to enrollment.

Ethnomusicology Qualifying Exam Committee Request

Students are required to submit this petition prior to the start of their qualifying exams to request the appointment of their qualifying exam committee. For questions regarding the makeup or appointment of committee members for the Qualifying Exam, please contact your Graduate Advisor or Faculty mentor.

Ethnomusicology Doctoral Committee & Dissertation Topic Request

This form is used to request the department approval of the student’s doctoral committee and dissertation topic after having completed the Qualifying Exam. This should be submitted in conjunction with the Nomination of Doctoral Committee Form.

Nomination Doctoral Committee Form, Graduate Division

This form is used to nominate your doctoral committee with the Division of Graduate Education. Once all signatures are completed, the SAO will submit the form to the Division of Graduate Education. Allow two weeks for processing after the nomination has been submitted by the SAO to the Graduate Division. The committee must be appointed prior to holding the University Oral Qualifying Examination.

Language Petition

* Not a DocuSign form * Once you have completed your language requirement, please complete this form, sign, and submit to Bria Russ.

Both MA and PhD students are required to show reading knowledge of one language other than English that is relevant to the student’s research. The choice of language and the method of satisfying the requirement must be approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee. The Language Petition will need to be submitted to Bria Russ once you have completed one of the following:

• Passed an examination administered by a faculty member in ethnomusicology or in another department, or an exam administered by the university;
• Completed the fifth quarter in the language with a minimum grade of B;
• Demonstrated literacy through submission of transcripts or other documents that show course work or experience in the language.

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Graduate Program

Graduate Anthropology Program Overview

Anthropology has been taught at the University of Oklahoma since 1905 and became its own department in 1927. Celebrated faculty like Morris Opler and Robert Bell established the Department as a leader in the scholarly study of Native North America. In addition to a continued focus on Native North America with research specilizations in the southwest, southeast, and plains of North America, the Department maintains a stong emphasis on Latin America, complemented by individual faculty interests in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Graduate students receive rigorous training in the four sub-fields of anthropology: sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic.  

With twenty-seven full-time professors and about fifty graduate students, graduate students receive personalized attention from faculty mentors while benefitting from the resources of a large research university. The program pages below detail specific relationships and opportunities at internal and external institutions. Our graduates have been successful in securing tenure-track academic jobs as well as positions in cultural resource management, museums, and government agencies.  Individual faculty  are happy to provide more information on their research and on the anthropology graduate program as it relates to your subdiscipline of interest.

Financial support usually consists of half-time graduate assistantships, typically as a grader for an undergraduate class or research assistant for a faculty member. Ph.D. and advanced M.A. students may teach their own classes with opportunities for both in-person and online formats. We fund M.A. students for a maximum of two years and doctoral students for a maximum of four years beyond the M.A. degree. Our students have also been successful in obtaining external funding. For information on tuition and fees, visit the  Bursar's Office .

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Degrees & Courses

We offer an M.A. in Anthropology, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Linguistics, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, an M.A. in Applied Medical Anthropology (non-thesis) and an accelerated BA in Anthropology/MA in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. We currently offer a PhD in Anthropology with concentrations in Archaeology, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Human Health and Biology (HHB). Archaeology concentration students without an M.A. and HHB students applying on an M.A. terminal track or as a precursor to a Ph.D. in HHB degree should apply to the M.A. in Anthropology.

  Graduate Degrees

  Graduate Courses

Graduate Student Handbook

The Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook is an invaluable tool for MA and PhD students and their advisors, as well as prospective students. It provides a helpful roadmap for the details and requirements of each degree program.

Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook (pdf)

Graduate Program Requirements

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 30 credit hours

A student must take ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [15-18 credits]
• Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses.

Anthropology Current & Upcoming Courses

Graduate College Bulletin

MA Anthropology Degree Checksheet

Candidacy and Committee Requirements

Admission to candidacy is required the term before a student expects to defend their thesis (the first Monday in October for Spring graduation; the first Monday in April for Fall graduation). Anthropology has specific candidacy forms available at the Graduate College website .

M.A. committees are composed of three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee, keeping in mind that there may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met.

Required courses, [# hours]; minimum total = 30 credit hours

A student must complete these two core classes in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits]
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits]

A student also must take one of the following core classes. Usually the Linguistics core is recommended, but the decision about which core class to take should be done in consultation with the student's Advisor. A minimum of a B is required:

• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology 3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the Research Methods courses:

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]
• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Finally, the student must take

• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [12-15 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology with a Concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, a Research Methods class, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below. 

MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

The accelerated Anthropology B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology is designed for academically successful undergraduate anthropology majors with an interest in sociocultural anthropology. The combined B.A. + M.A. degrees are designed to be finished in five years, with undergraduate coursework completed at the end of year three of the program. Students accepted into the program begin taking graduate-level coursework during their senior year. Requirements for the B.A. are the same as those of the standard B.A. in Anthropology, with 13 “shared” hours counting towards both the B.A. and M.A. degree requirements. The M.A. degree includes a thesis, giving students an opportunity to conduct original in-depth research.

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 137 credit hours (combined degree)

13 shared hours count as both Graduate and Upper-Division credit. 

Undergraduate Major Requirements (Anthropology coursework) [36 credits total]

Some courses required for the major may also fulfill University General Education and/or Dodge College of Arts & Sciences Requirements.

o   ANTH 2203 Global Cultural Diversity [3 credits]

o   ANTH 2303 General Linguistics [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3113 Principles of Archaeology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3011 Anthropology Cornerstone I: Introduction to the Major [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3021 Anthropology Cornerstone II: Research and Writing [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3031 Anthropology Cornerstone III: Professionalization [1 credit]

o   ANTH 4113 Anthropology Capstone [3 credits]

o   Anthropology Electives [18 credits]

Graduate Requirements [30 credits total]

All students must take the following core courses, and receive at least a B:

o   ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology (shared) [1 credit]

o   ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

Research Methods (3 required credit hours)

Choose from:

o   ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Thesis (2-5 credits required)

o   ANTH 5980 Research for Master’s Thesis [2-5 credits]

Electives (12-15 hours required)

Electives coursework is selected in consultation with the student's advisor and committee. No more than 6 hours from outside Anthropology may be applied. (3 hours shared)

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

BA+MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 5053 Morphology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communications [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits] and receive at least a B.
• ANTH 5980 Research for Master's Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Linguistic Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including four required classes, 15-18 hours of elective seminar credits, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Linguistic Anthropology Degree Sheet

* This program is Non-Thesis only

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 34 credit hours

A student must take the following Core classes in Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits] 
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6843 Foundations of Bio and Medical Anthropology [3 credits] 
• Or an alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also take one of the following Ethnographic Methods courses:

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the following Statistical Methods courses:

• ANTH 4713 Statistical Concepts in Anthropology (taken for Graduate Credit) [3 credits]
• BSE 5163 Biostatistical Methods I (HSC course)
• HES 5963 Statistical Applications in Health and Exercise Science [3 credits]
• SOC 5283 Fundamentals of Sociological Statistics [3 credits]
• Or alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also complete one of the following Culture and Health courses:

• ANTH 5323 The Anthropology of Aging [3 credits]
• ANTH 5393 Anthropology and the Health of Indigenous People [3 credits]
• ANTH 5643 Psychiatric Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5823 Medical Anthropology [3 credits]

Finally, a student must complete each of the remaining courses:

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 6310 Internship in Applied Medical Anthropology [6 credits]
• Elective coursework selected in consultation with the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Applied Anthropology Degree Sheet

There are three tracks in the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology: Archaeology, Human Health and Biology, and Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology. Beyond the 30 credits required for the M.A. (including the core classes if they have not been previously taken), these tracks generally require an additional 30 hours of coursework and 30 hours of dissertation research. There are specific additional required courses within each track. Please see the lists below for a summary of this information.

General exams are to be completed in (or immediately following) the last term of formal coursework as detailed on the Advisory Committee Report. Following successful completion of the exams, students complete 30 hours of dissertation research credits.

Ph.D. committees must consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology (with one from outside the student’s primary subfield) and one faculty member from outside the Department but within the University. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee. There may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met. Various forms are also available through the  Graduate College website .  A list of current and upcoming courses and individual degree checksheets can be found below.

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D. 

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
•  ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits] OR ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6223 Community Engaged Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
• ANTH 6980 Dissertation [29 credits]

Convergence Area

• At least 9 hours must be taken in a convergent area outside of Anthropology as approved by the student's committee. [9 credits]

Choose one of the following sets of course options:

Sociocultural Anthropology

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods OR ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

Linguistic Anthropology

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

Other Electives

• Electives as determined by student's committee [27 credits]

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D Degree Checksheet

Archaeology Ph.D.

Required courses [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6803 Advanced Archaeological Theory and Research [3 credits]
•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor (ANTH 5413 Public archaeology is strongly encouraged) [42 credits]
•  Dissertation [29 credits]

Archaeology Ph.D. Degree Sheet

Human Health and Biology Ph.D.

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits] 
•  ANTH 6843 Theoretical Foundations of Biological and Medical Anthropology [3 credits]
•  Two Methods course selected from this list or at advisor’s discretion [6 credits]

Optional Methods classes include: ANTH 5083 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology, ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication, ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods, ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities, ANTH 5343 Anthropological Demography, ANTH 5423 Introduction to Population Genetics, ANTH 5543 Research Design, ANTH 5593 Spatial Methods and Technologies in Anthropology, BSE 5013 Applications of Microcomputers to Data Analysis, BSE 5163 Biostatistics Methods I, BSE 5173 Biostatistics Methods II, BSE 5663 Analysis of Frequency Data, BSE 6643 Survival Data Analysis, COMM 5313 Qualitative Research Methods

•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [25-39 credits]
•  Dissertation [29-43 credits]

Human Health and Biology Ph.D. Degree Checksheet

Funding and Awards

Graduate students in the Anthropology Department can apply for funding through multiple mechanisms. These are described below.

For information on tuition and fees, you may use the Office of the Bursar tuition estimator . Also, please let the department's Graduate Liaison know if you are a McNair scholar , as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than OU's general deadline for applications to the graduate program. For general inquiries about financial aid, please visit the website of OU's Financial Aid Office .

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

The department offers multiple graduate teaching assistantships (GTAships). These are semester-long appointments at 20 hours a week. Some GTAs support faculty who teach large courses; others teach online or face-to-face classes. GTAships are awarded competitively using information from the graduate applications and annual evaluations. The tuition waivers that accompany graduate assistantship awards are described here .

Please contact individual faculty members about the potential for grant funded research assistantships.

Research and Travel Awards

The Anthropology Department offers several awards for graduate student research and travel. These are awarded competitively, with applications due on October 1 and March 1 annually . To apply, download and fill out the Anthropology Scholarship Form. Students can use those funds to support travel that has already occurred. More information about these awards is given below. We expect students who apply for departmental research and travel funds to also apply for funds from one of the following: the Graduate College , the Graduate Student Senate , and/or the College of Arts and Sciences .

Examples of travel or research for which students may apply for support include:

• Travel to present research at a conference;
• Funds for a significant component of a research project, for example, travel or material expenses 
• Funds to seed research or collect pilot data 

Awardees must work with the department staff assistant before any travel is arranged to be certain that university requirements are met.

Morris E. Opler Memorial Scholarships

Graduate students may apply for an Opler scholarship. Lucille Ritter Opler established this endowed fund in memory of her husband, Dr. Morris E. Opler, to provide scholarships to deserving anthropology students at the University of Oklahoma. Morris Opler was a leading scholar of Native North America. A specialist on Apachean people, he authored numerous articles in scholarly journals and wrote several books on the culture and history of the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, and Plains Apache (Kiowa Apache). Dr. Opler was a member of the University of Oklahoma Department of Anthropology faculty for nearly two decades, having served here after a distinguished teaching and research career at Cornell University. Much respected for his knowledge and teaching ability, he retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Oklahoma in 1977 and passed away in 1996. Among his many honors, Dr. Opler was past President of the American Anthropological Association.

Rain Vehik Award

The Rain Vehik Memorial Fund honors archaeologist Dr. Rain Vehik. Dr. Vehik had a long and productive career in Plains archaeology that included positions at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the University of North Dakota, and in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, he served as head of the Archaeological Research and Management Center, worked with the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, and taught for the OU Department of Anthropology. The Rain Vehik Award offers funds to students to participate in scholarly conferences and workshops. Higher priority is given to students attending the annual Plains Anthropological Conference. This award is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Each student is eligible for only one award per academic year.

Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology

The Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology was estalished by Dr. Patricia Gilman and Dr. Paul Minnis. Drs. Gilman and Minnis were faculty in the OU Department of Anthropology for many years, retiring in 2015. This scholarship offers funds to support archaeology graduate students' research projects. Typically, these funds are awarded only in the spring.

Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA)

AGSA (pronounced /ægsə/) brings together Anthropology graduate students for the purpose of aiding in their professional development within the discipline. AGSA's Speakers Bureau invites scholars to give public lectures related to the interests of the department and conducts fundraisers to be able to afford these events. AGSA also coordinates professional development workshops with graduate students and faculty on topics of interest to current graduate students.  To learn more about current graduate students in Anthropology at OU, the organization, and events check out the AGSA website .  If you have any questions about AGSA, please e-mail one of our officers.

Applying to the Anthropology Graduate Program

The Anthropology department welcomes applications from students with bachelor’s degrees in any field. However, we encourage applicants to gain exposure to all of the subfields of anthropology . Students with a master’s degree from another institution may transfer up to 30 credit hours toward a Ph.D. degree. Students are encouraged to use the Office of the Bursar tuition and fee estimator for cost information. Applicants are not required to take the GRE. If you have taken it, please do not send us your scores, as they will be redacted from your application. Please contact the Graduate Liaison, Matthew Pailes ( [email protected] ), with any questions concerning this. Most important in the decisions for admission are the undergraduate transcript, the statement of purpose, and the two letters of recommendation. The department requires a single writing sample, which needs to be sole authored by the applicant. This could be an essay, term paper, seminar paper, thesis, or article, and should be related to anthropology or associated field.

Faculty look for an appropriate fit between the applicants’ intellectual interests and the research strengths of the department. To that end, we require that applicants contact potential faculty advisors before submitting their completed applications. 

Not all faculty members can chair graduate student committees. Graduate students (current and applying) should check faculty members' Graduate Faculty Appointment Status and adhere to Graduate College and department guidelines when assembling their committees.

The University of Oklahoma uses an integrated electronic application, available here , for its graduate programs. The Department admits applicants once a year to start in the Fall Term. Our next deadline is December 15, 2023. If you are a McNair scholar, please let us know promptly, as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than the OU graduate deadline.

Direct any questions to the  Graduate Liaison .

To apply to the graduate program, please visit the Graduate College webpage:

Graduate Degree Application  

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