Doctor of Philosophy in Anthro - University of K

The University of Kansas's Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology program prepares students for specialized research in anthropology's subfields, including archaeology, biological anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. The program emphasizes a holistic understanding of human origins, history, and future, equipping students with skills for navigating diverse global challenges and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in academia, museums, cultural resource management, and various other fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology at the University of Kansas is designed for students who want to demonstrate specialized competence in one or more subfields of anthropology and contribute to the body of knowledge and theory through independent, original research.

The program focuses on:

Understanding the origin, history, and future of the human species: This encompasses studying past and present human societies within their cultural, biological, and environmental contexts.
Providing students with the knowledge and skills to navigate diverse and rapidly changing worlds: The program equips students to address global challenges and foster cross-cultural understanding.

The four main subdisciplines of anthropology are:

Archaeology: Studies the human past through material culture.
Biological anthropology: Focuses on human evolution and variation.
Sociocultural anthropology: Explores how humans organize themselves and create, reproduce, and reject meaningful patterns of life in changing circumstances.

Intellectual curiosity about human origins and diversity: Students are drawn to the field for its exploration of the vast array of human experiences across time.
Preparation for international careers: Students gain skills for working in culturally diverse settings.
Careers in museums and cultural resource management: The program provides pathways to careers in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.
Further specialization in subdisciplines: The program supports students who want to pursue advanced research in specific areas of anthropology.
Preparation for professional schools: The interdisciplinary knowledge gained in anthropology is valuable for careers in law, medicine, public health, journalism, business, and engineering.
Diverse career options: The program prepares students for a variety of professions, including education, healthcare, social work, business, human resources, public affairs, and laboratory research.

The University of Kansas Anthropology Department:

Holistic and integrative approach: Emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of human beings.
Strength in the Americas: The program excels in all three subdisciplines, particularly in research on the Americas.
Engaged research with community partners: The department fosters collaborations that benefit local communities.
Full funding for PhD students: Students are provided with financial support for at least four years.

Assessment:

Coursework:

30 credit hours required: Students must complete 30 credit hours before taking the Ph.D. qualifying exam.
Core Topics: Students must demonstrate competency in the following core topics:
Professionalism
History/Theory in the Four Fields of Anthropology
Knowledge in one's Area of Specialization
Stewardship/Engaged Research
Research Methods
Fulfillment of Core Competencies: Students can fulfill these competencies through:
Completion of relevant courses with a grade of "B" or better.
Submission of research papers deemed satisfactory by their committees.
Research papers can include those written for publication, as part of a GRA position, or while a graduate student at another institution.

Qualifying Exam:

Holistic evaluation of student suitability for the Ph.D. program: Assesses the student's readiness for doctoral study, intellectual ability, self-application, creativity, portfolio of work, and program performance.
Option to take exam with or shortly after M.A.
exam: Students with an M.A.
Standalone oral exam for students without an M.A.
: Covers topics related to the student's written portfolio.
One retake allowed: If a student fails the exam, they can take it again once in written form.

Dissertation Proposal:

Planned from the start of doctoral study: Students begin developing their dissertation project early on.
Independent research project: Usually requires fieldwork and contributes to anthropological knowledge.
Form determined by the student's doctoral committee: The format may vary depending on the subdiscipline.
Review of current knowledge, research problem, and methodology: The proposal must include a thorough examination of the topic, research question, and planned research methods.

Oral Comprehensive Examination:

Required for all Ph.D. students: Taken in the fourth semester after completing an M.A.
Based on the dissertation proposal: Students must submit their dissertation proposal at least three weeks before the exam.
Administered by the doctoral committee: A closed session for evaluation.
Grades: Honors, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory.
One retake allowed with committee approval: Students can retake the exam once if they receive an Unsatisfactory grade.

Defense of the Dissertation:

Final oral examination: Open to the public.
Grades: Honors, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory.
One retake allowed with committee approval: Students can retake the exam once if they receive an Unsatisfactory grade.

Careers:

International careers: Students are prepared for work in culturally diverse settings.
Museum and cultural resource management: The program provides pathways to careers in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.
Subdisciplinary specialization: Students can pursue advanced research in specific areas of anthropology.
Professional schools: The program prepares students for graduate study in law, medicine, public health, journalism, business, and engineering.
Diverse career options: The program prepares students for careers in education, healthcare, social work, business, human resources, public affairs, and laboratory research.

Other:

Department maintains three laboratories and computing resources for students:
Anthropological Genetics Research Facility: For contemporary genomic analyses and post-PCR and NGS library purification.
The department offers field schools in archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology: Students have conducted independent and collaborative research in various locations, including Alaska, Mexico, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.
Research Centers:
Archaeological Research Center: Provides research space and support in Spooner Hall.
KU Lab for Applied Archaeological Science (KLAAS): Uses experimental and interdisciplinary approaches in Malott Hall.
ODYSSEY Archaeological Research Program: Operated through the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), supports research on the archaeology of the late Pleistocene and early Holocene in the Central Great Plains.