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 5th, 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



Woman analyzing artwork

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

What is Research? (2026)
Apr25
What is Research? (2026) Apr 25 UO Portland
"Radium Girls"
Apr25
"Radium Girls" Apr 25 Miller Theatre Complex
"Radium Girls"
Apr26
"Radium Girls" Apr 26 Miller Theatre Complex
Jeremiah Public Symposium: Foodways in Early East Asia
Apr28
Jeremiah Public Symposium: Foodways in Early East Asia Apr 28 Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “If the child dies, it will cost my life too, that cannot be avoided.” Suicide by Proxy, Social Discipline and the Psyche in Early Modern Germany
Apr28
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “If the child dies, it will cost my life too, that cannot be avoided.” Suicide by Proxy, Social Discipline and the Psyche in Early Modern Germany Apr 28 McKenzie Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Apr29
Department of History Coffee Hour Apr 29 McKenzie Hall
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops
Apr29
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops Apr 29
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops 6-10
Apr29
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops 6-10 Apr 29
Department of History Presents: Screening of “The Devil’s Bath” and Talk with Kathy Stuart
Apr29
Department of History Presents: Screening of “The Devil’s Bath” and Talk with Kathy Stuart Apr 29 McKenzie Hall
"Nomad" Journal Release Party
Apr30
"Nomad" Journal Release Party Apr 30 Knight Library