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Applying to a Graduate Program

Degree Program Information:

We are excited to announce plans that the M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Museum Studies will be converted to an M.A. in Museum Studies starting in fall 2011. This is subject to final university and Board of Regents approval. Applications for the existing degree are currently open for fall 2011. When final approval for the new degree is obtained (hopefully prior to fall 2011), students accepted into the existing M.A. will be switched to this new degree program. We encourage prospective applicants to visit our website or e-mail shescgrad@asu.edu with any questions they may have. 

 

Visits

General Information 

Prospective students are encouraged to correspond with faculty who share their interests (see faculty profiles). In the spring semester, the school hosts an admitted students’ weekend after admissions decisions have been made. This provides admitted students with the opportunity to interact with many of our faculty, current graduate students and staff, as well as tour labs and other relevant facilities. Potential applicants interested in visiting during the fall semester are welcome to contact faculty directly regarding their availability if they will be visiting campus on their own. In order to schedule appointments with appropriate faculty members, it is best to allow at least two weeks' notice.

    

Admissions

The application deadline is December 15 for admission in the following fall. There are no spring admissions. To avoid any delays in the processing of your application, it is recommended that you have your application, transcripts, test scores and application fee to the Graduate College's Admissions Office by December 1. Admission to the school is highly selective and dependent on such factors as qualifications of the student and space availability.

Applicants must satisfy the requirements of both the Graduate College and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, and complete an online application to the graduate program of their choice that is accessed from within the general Graduate College application. In addition to the information required by the Graduate College, be prepared to submit the following within the Graduate College online application:  

  • Letters of reference. The application will ask you to list the names of 3 individuals you will ask for letters of reference. Your recommenders will be sent an e-mail to fill out an online reference form.
  • Statement of intent. Upload a brief statement of intent (normally no longer than 3 pages).
  • Curriculum vitae. Upload an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
  • Optional writing sample. An optional writing sample may be uploaded as part of the application.

In addition to the online application, the following documents should be sent directly to the Graduate College:

  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  • Official test scores. Please submit valid GRE scores. ASU's institution code is 4007; no departmental code is necessary. Students who earned their bachelor's degree 10 or more years prior to applying may request that this requirement be waived; however, we strongly recommend that all applicants submit valid scores. Please note that in some circumstances the Global Health program will accept PCAT, MCAT, DAT or LSAT scores in lieu of the GRE. Please e-mail shescgrad@asu.edu with questions.
  • International applicants must also meet Graduate College English proficiency requirements.

To begin your application, go to the Graduate College admissions page. 
 

Pre-Admission Credit

With approval of the degree program and the Graduate College, a maximum of 9 credit hours of pre-admission credits may be included on the POS for a master's degree and a maximum of 12 credit hours for a doctoral degree, provided the credits have not been used in a previously awarded program. Only pre-admission credits earned in graduate-level courses with a grade of "B" (3.00) or higher may be used towards a graduate degree.
 

Deficiencies

Applicants for the Ph.D. who do not have a background in anthropology or a related field may have some deficiencies noted on their admission letter from the Graduate College.

Students who are accepted into the graduate program with limited background are generally required to make up deficiencies by taking courses in one or more approaches. Approved courses for students with deficiencies are provided on a list (download pdf). A student may fulfill deficiency requirements by taking two undergraduate courses or one graduate-level course (approved by his or her advisor or approach head) in each of the fields for which there is a deficiency. Further policy information will be provided upon entrance to the program. Approaches may have additional or overlapping course requirements outside the student's main approach. Generally, the deficiency courses do not also fulfill the program of study requirements.

Information not covered here or on the Graduate College's Web site can be acquired by e-mailing the Graduate Academic Success Specialist or writing to ASU School of Human Evolution & Social Change, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402.

 

Financial Aid

The school awards numerous academic year, one-half time (20 hours per week) teaching assistantships on a competitive basis. Salaries for these assistantships vary according to graduate standing and include full waivers of non-resident and resident tuition, and student health insurance coverage. Teaching assistantships for the following academic year are awarded annually on the basis of applications that are submitted by an announced deadline. A variable number of research assistantships are offered, depending on current research programs, and include the same waivers and insurance coverage for each semester of assistantship.

Depending upon the availability of funds, student research may be supported through the school's Research Incentive Fund for up to $1,000 for Ph.D. candidates and $500 for M.A. candidates. Applicants should consult the Graduate College for more information on potential sources of support.

 

Key Links

Contact:
Graduate Academic Success Specialist  | shescgrad@asu.edu | (480) 965-2558