The anthropology doctoral program at UCSC consists of three tracks: cultural anthropology, anthropological archaeology, and biological anthropology.

Although applicants are accepted only for the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program, students may obtain a master of arts (M.A.) degree after fulfilling specific requirements during the first two years.

PhD students benefit from UCSC's 5 year financial support packages, teaching assistant professional development opportunities, and a vibrant and supportive intellectual community -- supported by faculty mentoring, a variety of affiliated labs and research centers, and highly engaged students.

The theme of emerging worlds—culture and power after progress—unites the research interests of faculty in the cultural anthropology graduate program.

Our concentration on “emerging worlds” and on the construction of anthropological knowledge is especially well suited for drawing together diverse scholars and specialists in challenging and enriching conversations. Rather than reproduce the boundaries among the traditional subfields of anthropology, we explore how recombination of these approaches can elucidate specific anthropological problems.

The Ph.D. program in anthropological archaeology focuses on the pre-colonial and early post-colonial history of Africa, Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, and western North America. It is distinctive in insisting that theories of power, production and exchange, human ecology, gender, ethnicity, and technological practice be explored through rigorous laboratory and field research methods.

The Ph.D. program in biological anthropology has a methodological emphasis in innovative approaches to human and non-human primate ecology and diversity founded on our expertise in genomics and isotope biochemistry.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Understanding of Key Conversations in the Discipline: The student demonstrates knowledge of key debates and theoretical concepts across their chosen anthropological subfield.

Knowledge of Appropriate Research Methods: The student has been trained in the research methods appropriate to their chosen anthropological subfield.

Mastery of Two Specialized Areas in Anthropological Literature: The student demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of at least two specialized fields of anthropological and related literature in the appropriate sub-field.

Ability to Construct Research Prospectus: The student demonstrates the ability to construct an original research prospectus.

Ethics: The student has a grasp of ethical considerations associated with research in his or her subfield.

Ability to Carryout an Original and Independent Research Project: The student demonstrates the ability to conduct intensive independent research and produce written analysis based on that research. 

To Apply

Application Portal

The annual application deadline and instructions for applying to the PhD program in Anthropology may be found through our application portal.

Anthropology Fee Waiver Application Instructions

*Important note: As indicated below, the Department of Anthropology had a limited number of application fee waivers for the Fall 2025 cycle and the maximum number of waiver requests have been reviewed. Since all waivers are allocated, the department regrets it will be unable to entertain further requests for waivers.

ALL Anthropology PhD applicants are eligible to apply for an application fee waiver. Applicants who do not qualify for the Graduate Division's application fee waiver through the application portal (including International Students) may apply directly to the Department of Anthropology. The department has a limited number of waivers available and will evaluate requests on a rolling basis. This site will be updated to indicate when all waivers have been allocated.

Requirements and Instructions:

1. At minimum, have completed, uploaded, and submitted the following items to your application: resume, writing sample, statement of purpose, and personal history statement.
2. Not yet paid for your application to the University.  (Important: if you pay, you cannot be reimbursed, even if you qualify for a waiver.)
3. Requesting the fee waiver:

• Domestic Students-In the application portal, follow the directions for requesting the Graduate Division's application fee waiver. If you are denied a fee waiver, please contact adgc@ucsc.edu to state why you are requesting a fee waiver. (In no more than one paragraph, please describe your financial need. This statement will be used to determine fee waiver eligibility and will be kept confidential by the Anthropology Graduate Program.) If you are granted a fee waiver by the department, we will provide additional directions for how to complete the fee waiver section in the application portal.
• International Students- Contact adgc@ucsc.edu stating why you are requesting a fee waiver. (In no more than one paragraph, please describe your financial need. This statement will be used to determine fee waiver eligibility and will be kept confidential by the Anthropology Graduate Program.) If you are granted a fee waiver, we will provide additional directions for how to complete the fee waiver section in the application portal (NOTE: DO NOT SELECT FEE WAIVER in the portal as an international student).

1. NOTE: if you have applied, and received, a fee waiver for a past application cycle, we are unlikely to grant one for this application cycle.