FAQs for Graduate Students

Q: How do I apply?
A: Applicants apply to the school through the Graduate College. Admissions requirements and the online application can be found at www.asu.edu/graduate.

Once the Graduate College Admissions office receives the online application, students are notified of their asurite id and activation code through an acknowledgement, sent by the Graduate College admissions office within 48 hours of receipt of the application. If you have submitted an application and have not received this code, please contact the Graduate College Admissions office at grad-q@asu.edu or call (480) 965-6113.

Applicants are then able to interactively track the status of their application materials, including missing and pending documents, and can obtain up-to-date information on the routing of the application. The status-checking website is available through secure login using the applicant's asurite id and password at http://www.asu.edu/interactive.

Q: Does the school offer master's degrees?
A: Students accepted without a master's degree can earn a master's-in-passing in all of our doctoral programs (Anthropology, Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences, Environmental Social Science and Social Science and Health). In addition, the school offers a Master's in Anthropology with a concentration in Museum Anthropology through its unique interdisciplinary Museum Anthropology Program.

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.

Q: What application materials are required by the School of Human Evolution and Social Change?
A: The following materials are needed. The forms required for this are found on the Graduate College's Online Application supplemental materials for the School of Human Evolution and Social Change:

Statement of intent: A personal narrative (normally no longer than three pages) indicating the applicant's interest, previous academic and practical background, as well as personal and professional educational objectives.

Letters of recommendation. A minimum of three letters of recommendation in support of the applicant must be submitted with the application materials. The references should be from professionals or educators familiar with the applicant's experience and capability for graduate work.

International students. Additional requirements for international students can be found on the Graduate College's Web page for international applicants.

Q: When should I apply?
A: The application deadline is January 1 for admission in the fall of that year. There are no spring admissions. It is recommended that you have your application, transcripts, test scores and application fee to the Graduate College Admission office by December 1 or earlier if you are an international student.

Q: When will I be notified of admissions?
A: Students can track their admission via the interactive website www.asu.edu/interactive. Typically, students are notified before the end of April.

Q: What is the average GRE score for admitted students?
A: There is no established minimum GRE score as students are evaluated by the entirety of their application. Generally speaking, GRE scores for admitted students fall between 1100 and 1500.

Q: How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. program?
A: Generally speaking:

• The Ph.D. in Anthropology can be completed in 5 - 7 years of full-time study.
• The Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences can be completed in 3 - 5 years of full-time study.
• The Ph.D. in Environmental Social Sciences can be completed in 3 - 5 years of full-time study.
• The Ph.D. in Social Science and Health can be completed in 3 - 5 years of full-time study.
   

Q: What kind of funding is available?
A: The school awards fellowships, teaching assistantships and tuition support on a competitive basis. Research assistantships are also available, depending on current research projects. Incoming students are automatically considered for financial support through fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships, which generally include tuition waivers and health coverage. For additional funding opportunities, consult the Graduate College financial support services at http://graduate.asu.edu/financialsupport.html.

Q: How many students apply each year and how many are accepted?
A: Approximately 300 students apply each year, and we admit 30 - 40 new students each fall.

Q: What if I am new to the field?
A: Applicants with degrees in other disciplines may have some deficiencies noted on their admission letter from the Graduate College that they can make up by taking courses in one or more approaches. For more information, contact the Graduate Academic Success Specialist (shescgrad@asu.edu).

Q: Where do School of Human Evolution and Social Change alumni work?
A: Our alumni work in academia and all sectors of our economy. For a listing of the current employers of some of our alumni, click here. Students who join the ASU Student Alumni Association have access to the searchable ASU alumni online directory for career networking. To become a member, click here.

For more information on graduate studies, please consult the Graduate College website at graduate.asu.edu.