PhD in Anthropology in Boston United States | Boston University

The Anthropology PhD program offers comprehensive training across the discipline, with specialized tracks in Sociocultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, or Anthropological Archaeology. This program equips graduates for academic, consulting, and applied professional roles. Sociocultural Anthropology emphasizes religion, legal and political systems, ethnic studies, gender studies, historical anthropology, social transformation, economic development, environmental anthropology, cognitive studies, and medical/psychological anthropology, with particular expertise in Islamic societies, East/Southeast Asia, and Africa. Biological Anthropology concentrates on evolutionary morphology, behavior, genomics, and sensory adaptations of primates, both living and extinct. Anthropological Archaeology explores human-environment relationships, urban development, domestic structures, and material culture through long-term historical analysis, with special focus on Mesoamerica, North America, and the Mediterranean region.

Candidates must hold a BA or MA in anthropology or demonstrate equivalent background in related fields.

Program Objectives
Attain comprehensive understanding of anthropology's four core subfields (sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic anthropology) to effectively teach undergraduate introductory courses.
Develop capacity to design, propose, execute, and document substantial anthropological research that advances theoretical discussions and contributes meaningfully to the field.
Acquire skills to present research findings persuasively through multiple formats—oral presentations, written works, and visual representations—to professional audiences.
Execute all academic and research activities according to the highest ethical and professional standards in teaching and scholarship.