Prospective Graduate Students

All students accepted to the graduate program are accepted to the PhD program. We do not offer a dedicated MA program, but students may opt to earn a master’s degree on the way to earning the PhD. 

Here are the most important highlights of our PhD program:

Cross-disciplinary and integrative: the graduate program focuses on integrative and cross-disciplinary approaches in anthropology: biocultural approaches to health, human evolutionary history, and ecology and society

Research oriented: research training is an integral part of the program with courses in research design, grant writing, communicating anthropology, and a workshop on data collection and analysis methods.

Professional development: the hidden curriculum is not hidden in our program – mentoring and professional development are integrated in the program.

Communities of practice: join one or more of the intellectual communities in the department that focus on social-ecological systems, human evolutionary and adaptive studies, human biology, human complexity, and others.

Training by experts: faculty are involved in innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research projects funded by the National Science Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and other granting agencies.

Careers in / with anthropology: The graduate program prepares students for academic and non-academic careers. Our department has a strong record of placement in degree-appropriate positions.

Streamlined curriculum: it is possible to complete the program within five (to six) years – two years of training in courses, seminars, and workshops, and three (or four) years of dissertation research. 

Fully funded: Graduate training is fully funded. Generally, our students have one or two years of funding from university fellowships and five years of support from graduate teaching positions.

Requirements: Students with BA/BS or MA/MS degrees are eligible to apply to our PhD program. Minimum GPA is 3.0. We do not currently require the GRE

All application materials **including letters of recommendation** are due on November 20^th for both domestic and international applicants. 

Once your application is processed, your references will be sent a link to an online recommendation form.

Note: It can take up to 6 days to process your application and send these invitations. That's why we highly recommend that you submit your application well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for all steps. 

Most of these items can be uploaded at the time of online application. If you have questions about the electronic submission of your materials, please contact Graduate Admissions.

1. Complete the Graduate Admissions Application for Anthropology.
   • This will start the upload process for all additional documents.
2. Order official transcripts from each college or university attended (excluding OSU), listing all courses taken, grades, and degrees earned.  This includes post-secondary and community college transcripts.
   • For questions about transcripts, please contact Graduate Admissions. The Anthropology Department does not process transcripts.
3. Upload a four-part statement (no more than two single-spaced typed pages) that:

• Articulates your areas of interest and research plans.
• Demonstrates your preparedness to undertake graduate work, including experiences or other preparation that are not evident from other credentials submitted (e.g., coursework, field school, research experience, work experience).
• Addresses a challenge or adversity that you faced in your educational journey thus far and how you dealt with that challenge.
• Demonstrates how your research interests align with the research expertise of two or more faculty in the department. You should make a case for why you want to work with these specific faculty members and why the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University is an ideal setting for your graduate training.

4. Upload a current CV or resume.
5. Upload a writing sample that showcases your writing and analytical skills. The writing sample can be a paper written for a class, a thesis, publication, or any other piece of writing that demonstrates your skills. There is not a specific page minimum or maximum.
6. In the final steps section of your online application, you’ll be asked to list the names and contact details for three references. Once your application is processed, your references will receive an email with a link to an online recommendation form.
   • Applicants are advised to select referees who are familiar with your academic program, scholastic ability, and/or professional performance, particularly in anthropology and related disciplines.
   • You are responsible for making sure your references submit their letters on time. Please prepare for processing delays.

There are English Language requirements that *most* international students must complete. Please consult Grad Admissions - Additional Requirements and Intercultural English Language Programs for more information about testing and exemptions. You can also contact our Graduate Program Coordinator for help.

For admission

• TOEFL
  • 19 on each section of the paper-based TOEFL
  • 79 on the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Or

• IELTS
  • 7.0 on the IELTS Academic test or IELTS Indicator

If admitted

• IELP Writing Assessment
  • Depending on your score, you may be required to take 1-2 classes in Academic Writing for Multilingual Graduate Students. These courses must be completed during the first year.

For teaching as a Graduate Teaching Associate

• Oral Proficiency Assessment (OPA)
  • Administered by OSU
  • Based on the result, you may be certified to serve as a GTA and/or be placed into a spoken English course. Students can perform various GTA duties depending on their OPA score.

Each year, the faculty evaluates the pool of applicants to identify students who are eligible for fellowships -- this is funding for graduate study provided by The Ohio State University. Eligibility is defined by the university as academic excellence, which includes course grades, theses, presentations, and other measures of academic achievement. The faculty also evaluates how well each applicant fits with current research programs. University Fellowship information can be found on the Graduate School's website. No additional materials are needed for consideration. 

The Department of Anthropology also strongly encourages applicants to apply for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which provides a three-year annual stipend along with a cost-of-education allowance.  Applications to the GRFP are due in late October and are restricted to a single application in either the first or second year of study.

Applicants should also note that graduate students will be offered Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) Appointments and will be eligible to serve as an instructor in the Department of Anthropology. These appointments cover tuition and provide a stipend to support students while they continue their coursework, degree requirements, and graduate research. All incoming students are considered for these positions, and no action is needed. 

Up-to-date stipend information can be found on the Graduate School website. 

Q: Do I need to have a master’s degree to apply to the PhD program? 
A: No, we admit students with and without a master’s degree. 

Q: Can I apply for spring or summer entrance? 
A: We only admit students for an autumn start. 

Q: How firm is the deadline?
A: Applications and materials received after November 20th will not be accepted. We recommend submitting materials well before the deadline to account for processing time. 

Q: Can I get an application fee waiver?
A: You may be able to request a fee waiver on the application if you've previously enrolled in an Ohio State graduate or professional program, have limited financial resources, or participated in select diversity programs. Waiver requests may cause a delay in processing your application. It is recommended that you apply at least 10 days early to avoid missing your program’s deadline. Note: International students have limited options for fee waivers. If you are an international student needing assistance with the application fee, please reach out to the Graduate Program Coordinator for guidance. 

Q: Can this program be completed part-time or online? 

A: This is an in-person program, and students are expected to be enrolled full-time.

Q: What are the minimum requirements for study in the Anthropology graduate program?
A: Applicants must submit documentation that fulfills the following criteria:

1. An earned baccalaureate or professional degree from an accredited college or university by the expected date of entry
2. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on the 4.0 scale used at this university) for the last bachelor's or advanced degree earned
3. A major in anthropology, or
   • At least 25 credit hours in anthropology or closely related disciplines, or
   • Outstanding general academic preparation and evidence of exceptional scholarly potential
4. For international students, a minimum score of 79 on TOEFL or 7 on IELTS.
   • For a list of exemptions, please visit Graduate and Professional admissions 

In addition to the criteria listed above, applicants will be evaluated to determine if their intended program can be undertaken in this department given the interests, specialties, and workload of our faculty.

Q: Do you require GRE scores?
A: Not at this time. 

Q: I am applying to the program for a second time. Do I need to submit everything again? 
A: Yes, and you must have your transcripts re-sent to Graduate Admissions. 

Q. I am currently enrolled in a different graduate program at OSU. Can I transfer into the Department of Anthropology?
A: Requests to transfer from another OSU graduate program must be accompanied by the same materials submitted by first time applicants. You will select the Graduate Intra-University Transfer application instead of the standard application. 

Q. How do I know which faculty members to mention in my statement of purpose?  
A: Faculty bios and CVs are available on the People tab of this website. You are also encouraged to reach out to faculty members directly. It is strongly recommended that you contact them several months before you apply to discuss potential research projects.

Q: I submitted my transcripts weeks ago but when I check my application status at Graduate Admissions it shows them as not having been received. What should I do?
A: When you check the status of your application online, you are checking the Graduate Admissions holdings. As Graduate Admissions processes all graduate applications, a backlog of submitted paperwork occurs, resulting in delays in the update of your application status. It is best to upload all materials with your application. If something is missing, please contact Graduate Admissions for an update on the status of your application. 

Q: My CV/resume has been updated since I submitted it. Can I send an updated copy?
A: Yes, you can email it to the Graduate Program Coordinator. 

Q: My recommenders have not received the link to submit their letters. What should I do?
A: It may take several days after your application is processed for your letter writers to receive the submission link. If it has been longer than a week since you submitted your application and paid the fee, please contact Graduate Admissions for help. 

Q: Are there page limits for the documents?
A: There are no page requirements for the CV/resume, writing sample, or letters of recommendation. Please keep your statement of purpose within two single-spaced pages. 

Q: Do you hold interviews?
A: Yes, we interview potential admits in the month of December or January. If you are not contacted about an interview, you may still be offered admission.

Q: When will I find out if I have been accepted?
A: Notification letters are typically sent out in late February or March. 

Q: I was admitted to the program. When is the deadline to accept my offer?  
A: Ohio State adheres to the April 15 Resolution. This is an agreement among the signatory graduate schools to provide applicants until April 15 to consider offers of admission that also include financial support. 

Q: I was waitlisted. What now? 
A: We will contact you with the final decision regarding your admission by the end of April. If you are admitted from the waitlist, you will be given two weeks to accept or decline your offer before we move on to the next person. Please keep an eye on your email. 

Q: I was not offered admission. Can I apply again?  
A: Yes, we welcome returning applicants. 

Q: Can I defer my admission?  
A: Requests to defer are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Note that fellowships and financial aid offers cannot be deferred. 

Q: How is the program structured? 
A: The first 2-3 years of the program are focused on coursework, establishing a foundation for your dissertation project, and preparing for/taking the candidacy examination. After candidacy, the remaining years are spent on the dissertation project – research, data collection/fieldwork, analysis, writing, and defense. 

Q: If I’m admitted, can I transfer credits earned from a master’s degree to this program?  
A: Yes, students can transfer a block of 30 credits from a relevant master’s degree to the Anthropology PhD. These credits may be used to cover certain elective courses, upon approval by faculty. Required courses must still be taken.         

Q: Are there opportunities to travel for fieldwork?  
A: Yes. While some students are able to collect data for their dissertation projects using materials available on-site, many need to conduct fieldwork out-of-state or abroad. Our faculty members have connections to research sites around the world, and the department helps facilitate travel. 

Q: Is there support to travel to professional conferences?  
A: Yes. The department offers a limited amount of funding to help students maintain membership in professional societies and attend conferences. 

Q: Will I get a fellowship or a Graduate Associateship?
A: Our department is committed to funding all the graduate students that we admit to our program through a combination of university fellowships and graduate assistantships. We currently offer five years of graduate teaching assistantships to all our graduate students making satisfactory progress. You will be notified during the admissions process if you are selected for a fellowship. 

Q: Based on my scores, grades, etc., what are my odds of getting into the program?
A: Compared to undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions focuses more heavily on how well a particular individual's research interests and career goals mesh with the program to which they've applied – in addition to academic achievements. If you have any interests or inquiries into a specific body of research, feel free to contact faculty or graduate students who share similar research interests for more information about what our program can offer. 

Q: Can I set up an appointment to talk with someone about the program or visit the department? 
A: Faculty and/or staff are happy to meet with prospective students. Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for assistance. 

Have a question not answered here? Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.