Anthropology, Ph.D.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. degree in anthropology carries the following requirements:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours of approved graduate coursework at SMU, which may include credit hours of dissertation coursework. Up to 24 credit hours may be waived for advanced courses taken elsewhere. In addition, students may test out of advanced courses based on prior graduate-level experiences. Please check the Department of Anthropology’s website to confirm current course listings.
2. The M.A. degree en route to the Ph.D. will be awarded to students who are accepted into the graduate program and who receive a “low pass” or higher on the general M.A. examination in their subfield given at the end of two years’ coursework (36 credit hours). However, only students who achieve a “pass” or higher on this examination may advance into the Ph.D. program.
3. Students must satisfy all curricular requirements as specified by the department faculty. For additional details, students should see the department Redbook (also available on the department’s website at www.smu.edu/anthro).
4. Students must demonstrate an ability to function proficiently in one or more languages selected from among the following: French, German, Russian, Spanish or substitute languages approved by the department.
5. Students must demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of analytical methods (quantitative or qualitative, as appropriate).
6. Students must pass a Ph.D. qualifying examination, including an oral defense of a dissertation proposal in their subfield.
7. Students must write and make a successful defense of a dissertation. Degree candidates may concentrate in any subfield except biological anthropology.