A major or minor in anthropology opens doors to many career opportunities. While many paths require only a bachelor's degree, some careers, such as advanced research, museum curation or senior archaeology roles, require a master's degree (MA/MS) or a PhD.
Applying to Graduate School FAQ
Unlike an undergraduate degree, graduate school focuses entirely on anthropology and your chosen subfield (archaeology, cultural, biological or linguistic anthropology).
- Master's programs emphasize advanced methods and regional coursework, usually ending in a thesis project or comprehensive exam.
- PhD programs focus on producing original research, requiring extensive fieldwork or laboratory analysis, and culminating in a doctoral dissertation.
Common career tracks include:
- Cultural Resource Management (CRM): Directing archaeological excavations and environmental compliance.
- Applied and Corporate Anthropology: Conducting user experience (UX) research, market research or working for non-profits and international development agencies.
- Museums and Heritage: Working as a museum curator, repatriation coordinator or archivist.
- Academia: Teaching and conducting research as a university professor.
- Connect with Faculty: Talk to your professors early. In anthropology, graduate admission often depends on finding a faculty advisor whose research matches your specific interests.
- Gain Hands-On Experience: Utilize department resources like the Participatory Ethnography Lab and Studio, attend an archaeological field school, or apply for USD research grants like SURE.
- Focus on Your Capstone: Use your Senior Seminar project to build a strong professional portfolio and refine your research interests.
- Present Your Work: Consider presenting your research at USD's Creative Collaborations or regional anthropology conferences.
All paths are different!
- Master's degrees typically take 2 years of full-time study. They are ideal for applied careers like CRM or for strengthening your academic record.
- PhD programs usually take 5 to 7 years, depending heavily on the depth and location of your fieldwork and data collection.
It depends on your long-term career goals and academic readiness:
- Direct entry into a PhD program is common if you are certain you want a career in academic research or university teaching, and already have a well-defined research focus.
- Starting with a master's degree can be a great option if you want to work in applied fields like CRM, wish to build up your academic profile or want to experience graduate-level work before committing to a multi-year doctoral program.
- PhD Programs: Many reputable anthropology PhD programs offer competitive funding packages that waive tuition and pay a living stipend in exchange for working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Research Assistant (RA). However, funding is never guaranteed, and offers vary by institution.
- Master's Programs: Institutional funding is highly variable. Some programs offer partial scholarships or departmental employment, while many are self-funded by the student.
Applications are usually due in December or January and generally require:
- Statement of Purpose: An essay explaining your specific research goals and why that specific department's faculty fit your interests.
- Writing Sample: A robust research paper (such as a term paper from an upper-division USD anthropology class) that highlights your analytical writing.
- Letters of Recommendation: Usually three letters from professors who can speak directly to your academic and research capabilities.
- Transcripts: Your official USD academic record.
(Note: Most anthropology graduate programs have dropped the GRE requirement, but check individual school requirements to be sure).
In graduate school, faculty mentorship is everything. You should look for departments that have active faculty researching the specific geographic region or theoretical topics you want to study.
We highly recommend talking to your USD anthropology professors. We can help you navigate the AnthroGuide (the American Anthropological Association's database) and help you build a realistic, strategic list of programs that align with your goals.