Application Information

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Anthropology Graduate Application Requirements & Deadlines

The Graduate Program in Anthropology changed in 2018 to accept direct admission to our PhD program, with or without an MA in Anthropology. We have posted a brief outline of our curriculumÌýhere.

Admissions Requirements:

The Anthropology Department offers a doctoral degree in archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology as well as a terminal master’s degree in archaeology and cultural anthropology. Applicants must specify if they are applying to the doctoral or master’s programs. Applicants to the doctoral program in archaeology and cultural anthropology will also be considered for the terminal master’s degree.

A master’s degree is not required for admission to the doctoral program.

Transfer of Credits:

PhD applicants with a master's degree in a closely related discipline may be able to transfer some credits, but should expect to fulfill all the core requirements of our graduate program.

Research Experience:

We strongly encourage applicants who have previous research experience. For archaeology applicants, this includes fieldwork.

GRE Scores:

The Anthropology Faculty voted in Spring 2020 to remove the GRE requirement for graduate admissions. We do not require and will not consider General Record Examination (GRE) scores at this time.

Applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00.
  3. Complete the University of ColoradoÌý
  4. Submit one transcript from each college or university attended. Official transcripts are not required at this stage, only if you are admitted. More detailsÌýhere
  5. List three references and their email addresses on your application.ÌýAll three reference letters must be received by the deadlineÌýor your application will be disqualified. It is your responsibility to monitor the progress of your application through your account in the portal to ensure that your reference letters are submitted prior to the deadline.
  6. Pay a nonrefundable application fee to the University of Colorado.
  7. Your Research Statement (Personal Statement) should be tailored to the CU Department of Anthropology Graduate Program. The research statement should identify the faculty member/s you want to work with and how your project fits into the research interests and expertise of the department. It should outline a research problem or project, and the approach that you will take, to that problem/project. Please be concise: one or two pages at most.
  8. Upload a diversity statement with your application. The Department of Anthropology is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive graduate program. We encourage you to share how your personal and professional experiences have helped to shape your academic journey, scientific progress, and vision for the future.
  9. The cultural anthropology and archaeology graduate programs require a writing sample from all applicants. The writing sample should be no longer than 20 pages, such as a term paper or an excerpt from a BA or MA thesis. For applicants to the biological anthropology program, writing samples are optional but helpful.

Financial Support:

Financial support and tuition waivers may be offered to outstanding PhD students in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for national fellowships (NSF, SSRC, FLAS, etc.). The majority of departmental funding is allocated to the doctoral program.Ìý There is no guarantee of funding for MA students.

Fall 2024ÌýDomestic Application Deadline:
10:00pm MSTÌýDecember 15, 2023

Fall 2024ÌýInternational Application Deadline:
10:00pm MST December 1, 2023

Please note all deadlines are 10:00 pm MST (midnight EST).