PhD Anthropology at Columbia University

Programme overview

The full-time PhD prepares students for research and teaching at university level, museum and archaeological work, and independent research and writing. Students specialize in socio-cultural anthropology or archaeology, with biological anthropology offered through the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Anthropology | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: New York, NY, United States

What you will study

Study draws on a joint programme with the American Museum of Natural History, links with Teachers College and the Columbia Center for Archaeology, and archaeology laboratories with a faunal reference collection, microscopes, pXRF and facilities for stable isotope and archaeobotanical work. Students earn the MA and MPhil en route; a joint track with Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health requires at least 30 credits in anthropology and 30 in public health.

Career pathways

University research and teaching, museum and archaeological work.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants submit one transcript per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement and a resume. Three letters of evaluation (at least two from academic recommenders). Writing sample: 15 to 20 pages, double-spaced. GRE General and GRE Subject scores are not required. International applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores. Fall 2027 entry application deadline: December 2, 2026.

Intake: Fall

Apply through the official page: https://www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/prospective-students

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