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Anthropology

Ph.D. Anthropology

The PhD in Anthropology with General Option requires 60 credits total beyond the bachelor’s degree, completion of the coursework for one of the UM Anthropology MA Options or an equivalent 30+ credit master’s degree from another institution, completion of courses in specific areas of the curriculum, a comprehensive examination consisting of a defense of the student’s research proposal, a dissertation on a topic of relevance to Anthropology, and a defense of the dissertation.

At the heart of our program is a strong commitment to employ anthropological theory to engage contemporary relevant issues with focused research for communities. While some that are awarded a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Montana will look toward teaching careers, a goal of the program is to produce applied anthropologists who will serve in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), tribal and ethnic associations, and businesses.

Admissions

Admission to the anthropology Ph.D. program is competitive and open to students with

  • a bachelors or master's degree
  • a GPA of 3.2
  • optional GRE scores and/or TOEFL scores
  • positive letters of recommendation
  • and a statement of purpose that indicates professional goals compatible with the research specialties of the faculty.

There is no minimum GRE score, and GRE scores are only one measure used to assess an applicant's suitability for the program. Provisional admission may be offered for promising students who do not meet the GPA standards. If the student's bachelor's degree is not in Anthropology, the student will work with their advisor to develop a course of instruction that includes developing a background in the four fields of Anthropology.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program should include a significant writing sample as part of their application. For students with a master's degree, this should be their Master's level original work such as a thesis or professional paper. For students without a master's degree, this should consist of a selection of term papers or research reports that they have completed.

Students in an M.A. or B.A./B.S. program (at the University of Montana or another institution) may apply for admission to the Ph.D. program up to one year before completing the M.A. degree, but their admission to the program will be provisional, contingent upon finishing their M.A. or B.A./B.S. program.

Graduate student applicants may apply online through the Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

Both the General Option and the Cultural Heritage Option require coursework, a reviewed portfolio, a comprehensive examination, and a defended dissertation. The faculty expects completion of the Ph.D. within three years of earning the master’s degree. All students entering the Ph.D. program must have the equivalent of an M.A. degree before they can proceed to Ph.D. status. For students accepted into the program with only an undergraduate degree, they must complete the requirements of an M.A. degree prior to moving into the Ph.D. program. Students initially accepted into the M.A. program can continue into the Ph.D. program, but they must complete the M.A. degree prior to continuing; those students must also apply for the Ph.D. program during the regular application cycle (even though they are extant M.A. students).

Coursework & Curriculum

See the Ph.D. Anthropology Course Catalog for a full listing of the curriculum and course requirements.

 

Dissertation Research Proposal

Before accumulating 45 postbaccalaureate credits and before enrolling in ANTY699 the student will develop a detailed dissertation research proposal. A funding proposal to an appropriate source may be substituted for the research proposal. At a minimum the proposal should include:

  • The goal of the scholarly work, including hypotheses to be tested;
  • The materials and methods to be used;
  • A significant annotated bibliography or literature review;
  • A completed, but not submitted, the University of Montana Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects in Research checklist form if the scholarly work involves living human subjects;
  • A complete, but not submitted, Graduate School Application for Graduation.

Dissertation Committee

After completion of the dissertation proposal, the candidate will form a dissertation committee consisting of five members who meet the requirements listed in Graduate School Policy (sectionsD4.100 and D4.300), including one University of Montana -- Missoula faculty member who is outside Anthropology.

Comprehensive Examination

Each student will orally present their research proposal at a meeting with their dissertation committee. During this meeting, the committee will ask questions designed to assess whether the proposal and the student's background demonstrate the likelihood of successful completion of the dissertation research. The committee will also review the student's portfolio to assess the student's progress toward their desired outcomes. If the student has demonstrated substantial progress toward fulfillment of their graduate contract and is, in the opinion of the committee, prepared to undertake dissertation research, then they will be invited to continue work toward the completion of their dissertation. If deficiencies exist the committee may prescribe remedial action or direct the student toward graduation with a terminal M.A. degree. However, students may not earn a second M.A. degree in Anthropology from the University of Montana by this mechanism.

Dissertation Defense

After the dissertation is completed, the student's dissertation committee will review it and ask the student to defend it following the process described in Graduate School policy (section D5.000).