Welcome to the Department of Anthropology at the University of Missouri! Our university is the oldest public land grant institution west of the Mississippi, a member of the AAU, and the highest category of research universities, R1. We are a small department with an emphasis on data driven scientific approaches to the study of human biology, behavior, culture, and evolution. Departmental faculty conduct research all over the globe, and ongoing research crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, and includes field, lab, and computational methods. We continue to be an active and vibrant center for scientifically oriented anthropological research, teaching, and scholarship.
The Department of Anthropology offers graduate work leading to the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. We have a current enrollment of about 30 graduate students. Our department has a broad scientific approach to understanding human biology and behavior, both past and present, that is grounded in ecological and evolutionary theory. The graduate program provides rigorous coursework with a rich combination of hands-on field and laboratory research experiences. Students work closely with a faculty advisor who helps them pursue fellowships/grants and develop collaborative research projects. Additional anthropology faculty and others outside the department at MU typically serve as committee members and resources for expanding students’ research programs (e.g. Biological Sciences, Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Integrative Anatomy, Public Health, Museum of Anthropology, MU Research Reactor). Current and former graduate students have successfully pursued research in the field, lab, and analytical domains. Graduates of our program have found success with careers not only in academia and higher education, but also in, for example, contract archaeology, public health, or the nonprofit sector.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
Admission Criteria
Fall deadline: January 10
Spring deadline: October 15
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 in previous graduate work
- Master’s degree
A faculty who is a member of the doctoral faculty must agree, as a condition of admission, to accept the student as a PhD advisee. These qualifications apply to all applicants, including those with an MA degree from this department. Applicants whose MA is in a field other than anthropology will be considered under the policies for individuals holding the baccalaureate degree except that the quality of graduate work will be taken into consideration.
For information, please visit our departmental website: https://anthropology.missouri.edu/graduate-program.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
Submit all of the following through the Graduate School online application:
- Graduate School Application and all required Graduate School documents
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose: 1—3 pages, addressing your background and research interests in Anthropology. (Upload to the Statement of Purpose section of your application).
- Resume/Vitae: Please make sure to include the start and end date of all employment and teaching experience. (Upload to the Resume/Vita section of your application).
- Recommendation Letters: 3 academic recommendations are required and must be submitted by the recommender through the online application.
- Writing Sample
Master's
On Campus
Admission Criteria
Fall deadline: January 10
Spring deadline: October 15
- Minimum GPA: 3.25 in last 60 hours and in all anthropology courses
- Some of these requirements may be waived in exceptional cases.
- Acceptance into the graduate program in anthropology is not limited to students with undergraduate degrees in anthropology.
For information, please visit our departmental website: https://anthropology.missouri.edu/graduate-program.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
Submit all of the following through the Graduate School online application:
- Graduate School Application and all required Graduate School documents
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose: 1—3 pages, addressing your background and research interests in Anthropology. (Upload to the Statement of Purpose section of your application).
- Resume/Vitae: Please make sure to include the start and end date of all employment and teaching experience. (Upload to the Resume/Vita section of your application).
- Recommendation Letters: 3 academic recommendations are required and must be submitted by the recommender through the online application.
- Writing Sample