PhD in Anthropology

In the Ph.D. program, students concentrate either on Cultural Anthropology or Archaeology. Within Cultural Anthropology students may specialize in Medical Anthropology or on Globalization Issues such as Development, Gender, and Migration; Archaeology students concentrate on New World Archaeology.

Ph.D. program (Specialization in archaeology)

The archaeology program at SMU is largely focused on the New World, with faculty research interests ranging from the earliest hunter-gatherers to complex societies across North, Middle, and South America. The program offers broad training in contemporary archaeological theory, method, and scientific application, and is strongly field-oriented with current projects in various localities in the Americas.

Ph.D. program (Specialization in cultural anthropology)

In the Ph.D. program in cultural anthropology, you will be trained broadly in contemporary theory and method in anthropology, while you specialize in one of two tracks: Medical Anthropology or Globalization and International Development. In special circumstances, you can petition to combine these specializations.

Our graduate programs are designed to produce creative, energetic, articulate, and literate scholars and/or practitioners. We endeavor to produce anthropologists whose research is sufficiently innovative to attract the notice of their peers, who will seek and receive research funding, and who will apply their training to the constructive development of the human groups with whom they work or society at large. It is our aim to train students in specialized skills based on the broad understanding of anthropology acquired before entering our programs. Beyond providing you the skills necessary to becoming a professional anthropologist within or beyond academia, the faculty also will endeavor to impart a professional attitude and a desire to practice those skills with precision and with passion.

Why pursue graduate studies in Anthropology at SMU:

• Supportive and collegial environment: small size of the program permits extensive face-to-face attention and guidance.
• Financial support through tuition scholarships, teaching assistantships, and faculty research assistantships.
• Internationally and nationally recognized faculty with high research productivity.
• Synergistic areas of research concentration (medical anthropology, migration, archaeology, human impacts, environmental anthropology, gender studies, GIS, cultural heritage).
• Unique research infrastructure (e.g.: Archaeological Research Collections, Taos Field School, genetics lab, environmental anthropology lab, connections to facilities and institutions in the Dallas area, and opportunities for Dallas-based research).
• Strong emphasis on methods training and field research.
• Strong record of both global and local research by students.
• Effective mentoring for grant proposal writing and external funding.

SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies is proud to offer doctoral and master’s degrees in a wide variety of fields across four different colleges and schools: the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Lyle School of Engineering, the Meadows School of the Arts, and the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. These programs help students to pursue their passions and make significant contributions to both academia and industry.

• 32 Doctoral degrees
• 120+ Masters degrees
• 47 Fully-funded Ph.D. fellows

Thinking about studying at SMU? Welcome!

Southern Methodist University is a private, research-driven institution focused on providing innovative, interdisciplinary, and impactful studies. Located in the international city of Dallas, TX, our graduate students get to live and learn in one of the 10 best business locations in the U.S. according to Fortune magazine.

The Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, in partnership with five of SMU's Colleges and Schools, offers 32 doctoral degrees and over 120 master's degrees in addition to several professional degrees. These programs help our students pursue their passions and make significant contributions in their academic fields and beyond.

Diversity at SMU

Southern Methodist University is committed to nurturing an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment for all of our graduate students.

We believe that a supportive community embracing individual viewpoints and backgrounds leads to a more rigorous academic environment and a more fulfilling experience for all.