Applying to a Graduate Program
Degree Program Information:
- Ph.D. in Anthropology
- Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences
- Ph.D. in Environmental Social Science
- Ph.D. in Social Science and Health
- M.A. and Certificate in Museum Studies (Please click here for an admissions update.)
- Graduate Certificate in Immigration Studies
Visits
Prospective students are encouraged to correspond with faculty who share their interests (see faculty profiles), and to visit campus if interested. Contact the office of the Graduate Academic Success Specialist to arrange a visit. In order to schedule appointments with appropriate faculty members and graduate students, it is best to allow at least two weeks' notice.
Admissions
The application deadline is January 1 of each year for admission in the fall of that year. There are no spring admissions. To avoid any delays in the processing of your application, it is recommended that you have your application, transcripts, test scores and application fee to the Graduate College's Admissions Office by December 1. Admission to the school is highly selective and dependent on such factors as qualifications of the student and space availability.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements of both the Graduate College and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, and complete an online application to the graduate program of their choice that is accessed from within the general Graduate College application. In addition to the information required by the Graduate College, be prepared to submit the following within the Graduate College online application:
- Letters of reference. The application will ask you to list the names of three individuals you will ask for letters of reference. Your recommenders will be sent an e-mail to fill out an online reference form. The letters themselves can be mailed directly to the school, with attention to the Graduate Coordinator.
- Statement of intent. Upload a brief statement of intent (normally no longer than three pages).
- Curriculum vitae. Upload an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- Optional writing sample. An optional writing sample may be uploaded as part of the application.
To begin your application, go to the Graduate College admissions page.
Important Museum Program Admissions Update: Due to faculty vacancies, we are not currently encouraging applications for the M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Museum Anthropology for fall 2010 or the Certificate in Museum Anthropology for spring or fall 2010. A request to replace these faculty is now under consideration by the university. Students interested in applying for either of these programs should monitor this Web page for updated information.
Courses Taken Before Admission
With the approval of the student's Supervisory Committee, the director of SHESC, and the dean of the Graduate College, a maximum of 9 semester hours of coursework completed before admission may be applied to the program of study. Of these 9, only 6 hours from another institution can be applied.
Deficiencies
Applicants for the Ph.D. who do not have a background in anthropology or a related field may have some deficiencies noted on their admission letter from the Graduate College.
Students who are accepted into the graduate program with limited background are generally required to make up deficiencies by taking courses in one or more approaches. Approved courses for students with deficiencies are provided on a list (download pdf). A student may fulfill deficiency requirements by taking two undergraduate courses or one graduate-level course (approved by his or her advisor or approach head) in each of the fields for which there is a deficiency. Further policy information will be provided upon entrance to the program. Approaches may have additional or overlapping course requirements outside the student's main approach. Generally, the deficiency courses do not also fulfill the program of study requirements.
Information not covered here or on the Graduate College's Web site can be acquired by e-mailing the Graduate Academic Success Specialist or writing to ASU School of Human Evolution & Social Change, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402.
The school awards numerous academic year, one-half time (20 hours per week) teaching assistantships on a competitive basis. Salaries for these assistantships vary according to graduate standing and include full waivers of non-resident and resident tuition, and student health insurance coverage. Teaching assistantships for the following academic year are awarded annually on the basis of applications that are submitted by an announced deadline. A variable number of research assistantships are offered, depending on current research programs, and include the same waivers and insurance coverage for each semester of assistantship.
Depending upon the availability of funds, student research may be supported through the school's Research Incentive Fund for up to $1,000 for Ph.D. candidates and $500 for M.A. candidates. Applicants should consult the Graduate College for more information on potential sources of support.
Key Links
Contact:
Graduate Academic Success Specialist | shescgrad@asu.edu | (480) 965-2558
