Graduate Program in Anthropology
At the University of Georgia, themes of ecology and environment connect our cultural anthropologists, anthropological archaeologists, and biological anthropologists to one another and to scholars and practitioners beyond the department and the university. Our interdisciplinary and integrative connections give our work scholarly and practical relevance. We offer a Ph.D. in anthropology, and an anthropology and integrative conservation Ph.D. A master’s degree is not required to apply to our Ph.D. program.
More Information
Why pursue a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Georgia?
Here are some reasons why our department might be the right place for you!
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Ranked in top third of anthropology Ph.D. programs by the National Research Council (placed between 15% - 33% by category).
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Great history of student funding including grants and assistantships.
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Strong culture of mentoring with students working closely with faculty and other students, often within lab groups, concentrated around cultural, biological, and archaeological anthropology.
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A cohesive faculty and student community resting on our common interests in environment and ecology.
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Employment success with recent Ph.D.s employed as anthropologists at universities (65%) and governmental and non-governmental organizations (25%), and other fields (10%).
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Students and faculty pursue local and global research, on five continents and Oceania.
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Doctoral students in the Integrative Conservation (ICON) program pursue a degree in anthropology and integrative conservation in a program that spans anthropology, geography, ecology, and forestry & natural resources.
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The Coweeta Long-Term Ecological Research Project focuses on landscapes and histories of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
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Resources include collaborative ties with Center for Integrative Conservation Research, Georgia Archaeological Site File, Georgia Museum of Natural History, UGA’s Center for Applied Isotope Studies, along with access to equipment and space contained within our faculty laboratories.
- The Anthropology Graduate Student Organization (AGSO) represents students’ interests to the faculty, invites guest speakers, organizes annual events including the annual holiday party and chili cook-off, and edits the occasional periodical Journal of Ecological and Environmental Anthropology.
- Guest speakers from other institutions regularly present their research to the departmental community.
- Athens is a great place to live, with a walkable downtown, numerous live music venues, an active local food movement, a full calendar of annual events, and a relatively low cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I do not have a master’s degree. Can I apply for your doctoral program?
A. Yes! We accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree (or equivalent).
Q. My previous degrees are not in anthropology. Can I apply for your doctoral program?
A. Yes! We routinely accept applicants with degrees other than anthropology at the undergraduate and master's level, particularly in environmental science, ecology, biology, history, geography, sociology, education, etc.
Q. If I enter the doctoral program with only a bachelor's degree, will I obtain a master's degree on way to the Ph.D.?
A. Not normally. Like an increasing number of anthropology programs, students pursue a doctorate without completing a master's degree along the way. The occasional student who leaves the Ph.D. program prematurely may complete a terminal M.A. degree.
Q. If I enter the doctoral program with a master’s degree, does that mean I can complete the Ph.D. faster?
A. In some cases. Some graduate courses may count toward your “program of study”(your coursework plan) with the approval of your major professor and your advisory committee.
Q. What do you mean by “major professor” and “advisory committee?”
A. Each Ph.D. student works closely with one professor who serves as advisor and mentor. If you see a professor or professors you would like to work with, we encourage you to send them an email of introduction before applying.
By the end of their first year in the program students must also assemble an advisory committee of faculty who will guide their training and provide additional advice.
Q. What does the department look for in an applicant? GREs? GPA?
A. GREs and GPA are important, but our primary criterion is how your research interests and professional objectives are connected to our department. Our philosophy is to admit specific applicants who match the availability and research interests of our faculty. We judge this through the applicant’s Statement of Intent and CV. Letters of Recommendation are also important in our evaluation process. Finally, it also helps if the applicant has communicated with their potential major professor beforehand.
Q. How does the Integrative Conservation (ICON) program work? Would I earn a doctorate in anthropology or in integrative conservation?
A. Integrative Conservation (ICON) is a doctoral program that spans anthropology, geography, ecology, and forestry & natural resources. The term “integrative” refers to the partnering of natural and social science approaches to conservation theory and practice.
ICON students must fulfill all the requirements of their home discipline (anthropology) plus the ICON program. The doctorate is a single diploma in “Anthropology and Integrative Conservation.”
ICON has its own graduate coordinator and its own graduate committee who make admissions decisions separately from (but in consultation with) anthropology.
Q. How will I pay for graduate school?
A. There are several sources of possible support including Graduate Teaching Assistantships (see application below). Additional information on funding from the Graduate School can be found here.
Q. I'm the first person in my family to even think of applying to a Ph.D. program. Am I kidding myself thinking I can succeed in graduate school?
A. Please apply! Anthropology is a field that embraces a diversity of life experiences.
Q. I have more questions! What should I do?
A. Take a look at our graduate student handbook and the ICON handbook. Please feel free to address other questions to the graduate coordinator, Susan Tanner, or the graduate advisor, Ms. Margie Floyd by email, and for the ICON program to Sonia Hernandez.
How to Apply
The application deadline for the Department of Anthropology is December 1. The review of your application only begins once all the materials arrive in the department, which can take several weeks. Please contact Margie Floyd at mjfloyd@uga.edu with any questions about the deadline.
The application consists of two parts.
Part 1: Graduate School Application:
Please visit the Graduate School's application page for complete instructions. Use the online portal to supply basic information as well as your CV and Statement of Intent, send requests for three letters of recommendation, and pay the application fee.
- Submit your GRE scores to the Graduate School using our ETS code: 5813.
- If your primary language is not English you must have Educational Testing Service submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores to the Graduate School on your behalf using our ETS code: 5813.
Part 2: Documents sent to the department:
Department of Anthropology
250A Baldwin Hall, Jackson St.
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602-1619
- Writing the statement of intent
- ICON applicants only: ICON application essay form
- If any of the above links do not work, please email Margie Floyd at mjfloyd@uga.edu or Susan Tanner at stanner1@uga.edu.