PhD in Cultural Heritage and Applied Anthropology in Missoula United States | University of Montana

Our doctoral program focuses on Cultural Heritage and Applied Anthropology, combining rigorous academic research with practical applications for contemporary challenges. Participants explore pressing 21st-century concerns such as safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage, addressing global development and healthcare disparities, and investigating human biological foundations. The curriculum demands more intensive coursework than our M.A. program, culminating in original doctoral research presented as a dissertation. Designed for both experienced practitioners and recent graduates, this flexible program leads to a prestigious Doctorate degree.

Cultural heritage studies examine 'heritage' through multiple lenses - archaeological, ethnohistorical, social, biological, linguistic, and legal. This multidisciplinary approach investigates how historically formed cultural, linguistic, and biological attributes acquire social significance and legal implications. The program emphasizes both cultural diversity and universal human connections, employing anthropological frameworks to analyze concepts like cultural resource management, social impact evaluation, cross-cultural interactions, evolving traditions, cultural landscapes, and language preservation. A key component is applied anthropology, which utilizes anthropological methodologies to address practical issues in heritage conservation, medical anthropology, and international development initiatives.