Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at Texas State prepares Ph.D. students for their future careers. Ph.D. students regularly take part in externships, work with professionals on applied projects, and present and publish their work. Ph.D. students also take at least two classes in other disciplines including business, history, geography and public health. TXST offers a unique, intense five-year program. During the first two years, students take classes in ethics, grant/contract writing, professional conduct, research design, methods of data collection, project management, and the use of theory in data interpretation. Comprehensive exams focusing on students' dissertation topics take place in year two. The final three years of the program are devoted to applied externships, research, and dissertation writing. As a whole, the curriculum emphasizes skills that train students for a broad range of nonacademic and academic jobs.
At TXST Anthropology, we are transcending the borders that divide us and restrain us - whether that's transnational borders, disciplinary borders, or the borders between academic and practicing anthropologists. Our research and learning engage theoretically-grounded, evidence-based, applied, public, and creative anthropologies to make impacts beyond the borders of anthropology. The mission of the Ph.D. program is to educate and train students to become professional, practicing anthropologists in the 21st century. Ph.D. students can focus their studies on archaeology, biological anthropology, or cultural anthropology.

baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
master's degree in anthropology or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university (Leveling courses with grades of B or better may be required if background course work is not sufficient.)
official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
minimum 3.3 GPA in all completed graduate course work
GRE not required
resume/CV, complete and current
statement of purpose (3–5-page maximum, double-spaced) that includes
the anthropological subdiscipline for which the student is applying
background, experience, and skills
identification of the professor(s) with whom the student would like to work
specific dissertation research interests
reasons for interest in the Texas State program
readiness to complete the program in the specified time frame
professional plans and goals
if applicable, any crossover areas of research from other anthropological sub-disciplines
three letters of recommendation addressing and evaluating the student's skills, academic potential, and ability to successfully complete the program in the specified time frame. Letters should be written by professors, academic instructors, and/or applied anthropology professionals.
writing sample, such as the student's master's thesis or other sample of professional or academic writing.

IELTS (academic) - overall scores required 6.5 and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
TOEFL iBT - overall scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of (19 listening, 19 reading, 19 speaking, 18 writing)