Best Online PhD in Anthropology Programs

An online PhD in anthropology is best suited for individuals who enjoy studying human beings, past or present. Students who are interest in culture and history would thrive in an anthropological environment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), students who are interested in anthropology should have excellent analytical, critical-thinking and communication skills, as well as strong physical stamina due to the fact that it is such a hands-on field of expertise. Additionally, working abroad is often an option to study different cultures in what is often referred to as "participant observation," so those who love travel and experiencing new things should consider a PhD in anthropology.

Admissions requirements for online doctorate degrees in anthropology programs are very similar to most PhD requirements. Students need to have completed a master's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. It is not necessary that the degree is in anthropology, but some completed coursework is recommended. It may be of interest to check out the best online bachelor's in anthropology in order to determine whether or not prior coursework is necessary. It is also generally required to write a personal statement, submit letters of recommendation (usually two or three), and have proof of English proficiency. Some universities also require competency in a second language as well. Although most requirements are fairly similar, it is important to check with each university of interest because there may be very subtle differences for their admissions processes.

Students who are interested in an online doctorate in anthropology should expect to select a specific anthropological approach (i.e., archaeology) to concentrate their degree around. Most schools have approaches that land under each of the four fields of anthropology, such as sociocultural anthropology or biological anthropology. Once an area is chosen, the student must complete about 54 credit hours. It is also important to apply for internships during the program because this is a degree that requires extensive hands-on experience.

How Long is an Online PhD Anthropology Program?

The online PhD anthropology program takes about 4-5 years to complete the average of 54 credit hours, depending on a students schedule and the number of credits they are coming into the program with. Some universities award up to 30 credit hours from online master's degrees in anthropology. The breakdown across all years is about 30-36 credit hours in coursework and 18-24 credit hours in research and dissertation work, depending on the program.

There are a number of courses that are common to the online anthropology doctoral programs. This coursework includes the basic knowledge needed to study different cultures and their origins. Because a lot of the coursework depends on the student's chosen approach, elective courses will become more specific as the program progresses; however, the coursework most common to the general umbrella of anthropology consists of a lot of introductory courses, including Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology, Reading/Writing Ethnography, Principles of Biological Anthropology, and Introduction to Archaeology. Upon completion, each student should have a basic understanding of this area of study.

Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology

This course discusses language as a whole, rather than any one specific language. It focuses on the origin and evolution of language in general, as well as how language interacts with a culture. This includes basic structural features of language, comparing human language and animal communication, and evidence for the innate nature of language.

Reading/Writing Ethnography

This is a course that focuses on anthropological literature. It discusses different methods of research and observation, as well as professional scientific and ethnographic writing styles. This will be helpful for students because all of the profession requires reading ethnographies for research and writing ethnographies to discuss the student's findings.

Principles of Biological Anthropology

This introductory course generally consists of a lecture and an accompanying lab. It considers human evolution and genetics throughout history. Students will learn about non-human primates, our ancestors, and human variation. They will also be able to discuss human interactions of biology, behavior, and our environments.

Introduction to Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through excavation sites and analyzing artifacts and other physical remains. This course provides knowledge on methods of excavation, dating artifacts and sites, and how to classify artifacts. The student will learn how to study physical aspects of human history and be able to make conclusions about cultures based on their findings.

As previously mentioned, there are four specializations, or fields of anthropology. This includes:

• Biological Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Archaeology

Each student will learn aspects of anthropology that are common throughout all four fields, but they will be required to choose one specific field on which to focus. Biological Anthropology discusses human genetics and evolution. Cultural Anthropology shows how humans interact with each other and how culture impacts history and environment. Linguistic Anthropology focuses on language in general. This means how humans communicate and how communication impacts the environments in which they are a part of. Archaeology is the study of physical artifacts using various methods to study excavation sites and objects within them. With each of the four fields of anthropology, students will learn how human interactions affect their environments in various ways and be able to draw conclusions about history and society from these findings.

The doctoral dissertation requirements for anthropology are fairly average compared to most dissertation projects. These consist of extensive research, writing the dissertation, and presenting it to a chosen committee for approval, which will occur over the entirety of the doctoral program. It may also include an oral defense, in which the student must defend their work against the various questions that may arise from the presentation or from reading of the dissertation. The completed dissertation must be original and provide a substantial contribution to current anthropological knowledge.

After receiving the best bachelor's degree in anthropology and a master's degree in anthropology, the student will consider a PhD program. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right online anthropology PhD program. For example, it is important to be aware that most universities do not offer rolling admissions, which means that there are strict deadlines for enrollment. The deadlines for applications are usually the winter prior to the fall the student wishes to begin attending the program; however, it is important to check with each school as all deadlines vary. Another factor to consider is whether or not the program offers internship opportunities, because it is extremely important to have significant job experience in the field of anthropology. Many job opportunities after graduation will look for in-field experiences on each candidate's resume. Finally, it is important to assess each field of study and choose the program that best suits the desired career outcomes. For example, choosing a program in archaeology would better suit the needs of a museum curator than that of linguistic anthropology. While many areas within anthropology overlap, it is important to be a forward thinker when it comes to choosing the right PhD program for the needs of each student.

There are a few accreditations to look for when choosing an anthropology PhD program. First, it is important for the university to be nationally accredited by an accreditor recognized by the Department of Education in order to qualify for federal student financial aid. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a very commonly recognized accreditor and has rigorous criteria to ensure the program meets federal standards for education. Without this, financial aid would have to be confined to private loans and grants. It may also be necessary for a program-specific accreditation. For example, if the student is interested in forensic anthropology, the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA) certifies programs in forensic anthropology to make sure they meet the guidelines for the legal process. In general, accreditation is important for choosing a program because it provides the student with the knowledge that the program meets high standards for quality education.

There are many different job opportunities for a student with a doctoral degree in anthropology. For example, there are careers as an anthropologist, historian, forensic science technician, and museum curator available to those with a PhD in anthropology. The job growth rate remains about average, ranging from a 3% increase to a 14% increase overall, as compared with the national average for all jobs, which is 4%. According to the BLS, job prospects will remain competitive because there are so few available, so jobs are best suited for those with a PhD. If none of these are of interest, there are also a number of non-academic careers in anthropology, such as a market research analyst.

Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the origins, development, and behavior of human beings throughout time. They utilize research and analysis skills to draw conclusions about societies and culture. According to the BLS, the median wage for anthropologists is about $66,130, which is significantly higher than the average for all jobs, standing at $41,950. Anthropologists tend to work full time and during regular business hours; however they may also be required to travel and work many and irregular hours when conducting fieldwork, which could account for the higher wages.

Historian

There are many careers in social anthropology, such as working as a historian. A historian studies historical documents and sources to research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. They tend to conduct this research and analysis for governments, businesses, individuals, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for historians is about $63,100, which is higher than the median annual wage for all jobs nationally ($41,950).

Forensic Science Technician

Government jobs for anthropology majors are also very popular. One such job is working as a forensic science technician. This career aids criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence, often specializing in either crime scene investigations or laboratory analysis. According to the BLS the median annual wage for forensic science technicians was $60,590. This is higher than the median annual wage for all jobs, which is $41,950.

Museum Curator

There are also many careers in applied anthropology and careers in physical anthropology. One job that falls under these categories is a museum curator. Museum curators execute a number of tasks, such as planning and designing exhibitions, preserving ancient artifacts, and conducting special research projects. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for museum curators is about $52,140, which is slightly above the median annual wage for all jobs ($41,950).

There are a number of financial aid and scholarship options for online anthropology doctorate programs. The first option to consider is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a need-based and merit-based program. The application deadlines for the FAFSA are generally the June prior to the fall of enrollment. Other scholarships to consider are program specific scholarships. For example, the Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship offers $10,000 to anthropological graduate students who meet the qualifications--high academic achievement and a commitment to making a significant, positive difference in the long-term protection of wilderness in the United States. Overall, it is very important to thoroughly research scholarship and financial aid that is available to each student prior to enrolling in an online anthropology doctorate program.