Applying to the Graduate Program
General Information
Information not covered here or on the Graduate College's Web site can be acquired by emailing the Graduate Coordinator or writing to ASU School of Human Evolution & Social Change, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402.
Visits
Prospective students are encouraged to correspond with faculty who share their interests (see faculty profiles), and to visit campus if interested. Contact the Graduate Coordinator's office 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. List the names of at least three individuals you will ask for letters of reference. There is a link within the application to download the letter of reference form, or you may download one here (reference form).
- Statement of intent. Upload a brief statement of intent no more than three pages in length.
- 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.
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 an anthropology bachelor's degree or who are applying after receiving an M.A. in anthropology or a related field from another institution 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.
Financial Aid
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 theschool'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 Coordinator | shescgrad@asu.edu | (480) 965-2558
Degree Programs: