Applying to Yale for a Ph.D. in Anthropology - Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below relate directly to the application process. For information about the program more broadly, please consult the other pages of this website, and especially the Anthropology graduate student handbook.
Do I need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in anthropology to be accepted into the Ph.D. program?
No. While some of our students have degrees in anthropology prior to enrollment (and have found this helpful), this is not a requirement and many students enter the program without having previously studied anthropology. Many of these students have experience in related fields and/or have undertaken research projects outside of the academic setting that have prepared them to engage in doctoral work.
Does the anthropology department offer an M.A. degree?
No. Information on the separately administered M.A. program in Archaeological Studies can be found here.
What is a statement of academic purpose?
As part of your application, you will submit a 500-1000 word statement of academic purpose. The goal of this document is to describe the research you hope to do as a doctoral student. This statement is largely prospective, and while we fully expect your research to change and evolve during your studies, the statement should illustrate your ability to understand and communicate an appropriately scoped project for doctoral studies at Yale. Make reference to past experience (personal and professional) in so far as it helps explain why you are someone well suited to carry out the proposed research. It is helpful, though not required, if you can situate your project in an existing academic conversation. We welcome statements that include both broad and specific research questions that you hope your research will address.
How long is the writing sample?
The writing sample should be no more than 40 pages, double spaced (including references and notes).
Which members of the faculty work with graduate students?
Faculty at the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor may serve as primary advisers to Ph.D. students. Faculty with the rank of lecturer, research scientist, and emeritus professor may serve on committees but cannot serve as primary advisers.
Should I contact members of the anthropology faculty with whom I hope to work?
Admissions decisions are made by a committee, and individual faculty members cannot by themselves admit, accept, or agree to work with (or decline to admit, accept, or work with) individual applicants, so there is no need to write to them to ask whether they are accepting new advisees.
You may still wish to reach out by email to faculty members with whom you hope to work or whose work dovetails with your own research interests. Please keep in mind, however, that faculty members are juggling many responsibilities alongside a tremendous amount of email and many inquiries from prospective graduate students, so they may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Please do not be worried or offended if they do not get back to you, as all applications are carefully reviewed. Many questions are also probably best answered after admission decisions have been made.
Should I email the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and/or the Graduate Registrar in anthropology?
You are welcome to email the registrar (anthropology.registrar@yale.edu) if you have specific questions about the graduate program or the admissions process that you cannot find by looking carefully at the material on or linked to the following websites:
- You can find a great deal of information on Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.
- Information about the application process is available here and here.
- You can find more information about the anthropology degree programs, including about their structure, requirements, and course offerings here.
If the registrars cannot answer your question, they will forward your message to the DGS.