Graduate Programs

Explore our Graduate Programs

Thank you for your interest in our program. The Department of Anthropology typically admits six to nine graduate students annually. Admission is offered only for the Fall term except under highly unusual circumstances. The application deadline is December 1st, for admission the following fall.  The University of Oregon supports every student, regardless of immigration status.

anth_graduate programs_kirstin sterner

Director of Graduate Studies 
Kirstin Sterner
ksterner@uoregon.edu
Office: 316 Condon

 

 


Woman analyzing a artifact

Doctoral Degree

The UO Department of Anthropology offers the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a concentration in one of three subfields: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, or Cultural Anthropology. While graduate students choose one subfield on which to focus their studies, many follow an interdisciplinary path that bridges between subfields, as well as to different disciplines. This approach is encouraged in our department, which is distinctive in its commitment to the integration of the anthropological subfields via our five areas of expertise and focus.

PhD Requirements



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Choosing a Subdiscipline

Each prospective graduate student should select an anthropological subdiscipline (Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology). Although a core subdiscipline needs to be identified for your application, we recognize that anthropological work today is highly interdisciplinary and an interest in more than one subdiscipline is encouraged and supported.

Subdisciplines

Funding Graduate Studies

Nearly all graduate students in the Department of Anthropology receive funding for all or most of their graduate study. Most graduate students are supported through departmental Graduate Teaching Fellowships, which are teaching assistant positions that involve leading discussion or lab sections.

Funding and Research Support


Prepare for the Professional World

The goal of virtually all the students in our graduate program is to obtain a PhD in preparation for an academic career in research/teaching or for a career as a professional anthropologist doing applied work. We rarely admit students whose sole aim is to obtain a master's degree, except in the case of a student interested in obtaining a master's so s/he can work professionally in the field of Cultural Resource or Heritage Management.

Career and Professional Development


Our Graduate Students

Our graduate program attracts outstanding students from across the nation and around the world. Students in the program work closely with a primary advisor, who supervises their graduate training through formal coursework and supervised research and teaching activities.

Resources for the Graduate Community


Events

Electrochem PNW 2025
Sep25
Electrochem PNW 2025 Sep 25 Willamette Hall
Electrochem PNW 2025
Sep26
Electrochem PNW 2025 Sep 26 Willamette Hall
Consortium of Oregon Diversity and Equity Scholars (CODES) Conference
Sep26
Consortium of Oregon Diversity and Equity Scholars (CODES) Conference Sep 26 Straub Hall
19th Annual Rennard Strickland Lecture with Amy Bowers Cordalis
Sep30
19th Annual Rennard Strickland Lecture with Amy Bowers Cordalis Sep 30 William W. Knight Law Center
Uncovering Oregon History with the Chinese Diaspora Project
Oct2
Uncovering Oregon History with the Chinese Diaspora Project Oct 2 Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Department of History: Fall Get-Together
Oct3
Department of History: Fall Get-Together Oct 3 McKenzie Hall
Unlocking Graduate Student Career Resources
Oct8
Unlocking Graduate Student Career Resources Oct 8
Autumn Songs: A Korean Jazz Performance with Jordan VanHemert and Band
Oct9
Autumn Songs: A Korean Jazz Performance with Jordan VanHemert and Band Oct 9 Kalapuya Ilihi
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips (Workshop)
Oct13
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips (Workshop) Oct 13 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
ELO Scholarship Student and Alumni Panel
Oct14
ELO Scholarship Student and Alumni Panel Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall