Integrative Anthropological Sciences Ph.D.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

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SUBDISCIPLINARY SPECIALTIES

Archaeology

Connects past & present to understand today’s complex challenges. Research spans global & Central Florida sites, using methods such as: GIS & landscape archaeology; Isotopic & PXRF analysis; Zooarchaeology & paleoethnobotany; Ceramic & lithic analysis; Excavation & survey.

Biological Anthropology

Explores human evolution, variation, & adaptation through an interdisciplinary lens. Students gain skills in: Human osteology & bioarchaeology; Forensic anthropology; Biogeochemical & quantitative analysis; Geospatial methods & morphometrics; Human origins & evolution.

Cultural Anthropology

Addresses urgent global & community challenges, including: Public health & medical anthropology; Science & technology studies; Globalization; Gender, education, & policy; Food & foodways.

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PROGRAM STRENGTHS AND GOALS

This program is specifically designed to prepare graduates for employment in the private, government, and non-profit sectors, in addition to academic positions. Our graduates will be prepared to work in collaborative research teams, as well as independent researchers and practicing anthropologists.

Students will enroll in advanced-level methodological courses. This includes anthropological topics in geospatial analysis, advanced qualitative methodology, and quantitative methodology training and analysis.

The central purpose of the program is to produce graduates with the necessary methodological expertise and analytical skills to create innovative solutions to the ongoing challenges of local and global disparities. For example, students may explore pressing problems such as food accessibility and insecurity, immigration, differential access to healthcare, environmental issues, and other anthropogenic crises.

The program will take advantage of existing institutional commitments to established interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen cross-disciplinary ties and produce graduates able to triangulate using multiple methodologies to address current, complex problems, such as:

• Geospatial Cluster in the College of Sciences
• National Center for Integrated Coastal Research at UCF
• Puerto Rico Research Hub
• Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology, and Entertainment
• India Center
• Zora Neale Hurston Institute for Documentary Studies
• National Center for Forensic Science at UCF

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Curriculum

The Integrative Anthropological Sciences PhD program is designed to be completed in four years. Our program requires advanced coursework in geospatial analysis, statistics or advanced qualitative analysis, and a cornerstone applications course. Each plan of study requires 51 credit hours beyond an earned master’s degree. Students must complete a dissertation based on original research developed in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

The curriculum is comprised of the following basic elements:

• Independent field or laboratory research
• Core curriculum focused on methodological expertise
• Topical curriculum covering the dynamics of transformation in human societies
• Professional competence in workplace skills embedded into all courses

View the Integrative Anthropological Sciences PhD Program Catalog

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Research opportunities

The anthropology faculty conduct research across the U.S., Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, and Europe.

Field Research Opportunities:

• Archaeological excavations in Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and Türkiye
• Bioarchaeology, GIS mapping, geophysical surveys, and landscape analysis
• Research and survey projects at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base
• Digital anthropology and database development using social media and archaeological datasets

Laboratory Research Opportunities:

• Mesoamerican Archaeology Research Lab (MARL)
• Zavodny Isotope Geochemistry and Zooarchaeology (ZIGZAG)
• Paleoethnobotany and Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (PEAL)
• Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology Lab (LACA)
• Bioarchaeological Research Collections (BaRC)
• Laboratory for Bioarchaeological Sciences
• GIS Research Cluster Laboratory

 Internship Opportunities:

• Global Health Internship
• Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project (CCAMP)

Participation in these internships is not required and does not come with departmental funding.

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FUNDING

• Four years of funding is available. Funding offers include a tuition waiver, individual health insurance coverage, and a competitive yearly stipend. Funding is competitive and an offer of admission does not guarantee funding.
• All accepted Ph.D. students are automatically considered for departmental funding through a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and/or for university fellowships. There is no separate application required.
• Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) may also be awarded through faculty members’ grants.
• Additional financial assistance opportunities and guidance for planning your graduate finances are available through the UCF College of Graduate Studies: https://graduate.ucf.edu/funding/

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application requirements & materials

• A master’s degree or its equivalent in anthropology or a closely related discipline. Students must have completed a master’s degree at the time of matriculation. The Graduate Program Coordinator and Graduate Program Committee, in discussion with appropriate faculty, will evaluate the suitability and applicability of MA or MS degrees in other disciplines for admission purposes.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions previously attended.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all master’s level work completed.
• Personal statement of intent (1-2 pages). Please specify your educational background and qualifications, research interest, geographical area of research (if applicable), the faculty member you would like to work with, and your future career plans. If your previous degrees are not in anthropology, you should explain why you are seeking a degree in anthropology
• Contact with a potential advisor prior to application submission is strongly recommended. Individual faculty make the final decision as to whether applicants are accepted into the program as their advisee.
• A Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A writing sample of at least 2,500 words demonstrating the ability to conduct graduate-level work and scholarly writing.
• Three letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant’s academic performance, and their suitability and potential for undertaking doctoral studies. At least one of these letters must be written by a faculty member from the institution where the master’s degree was earned, preferably the thesis advisor.
• International applicants may be required to submit additional materials by the College of Graduate Studies, such as foreign influence screening, results of an approved English proficiency exam, and a course-by-course credential evaluation. International applicants should review all requirements set by the College of Graduate Studies before starting an application.

All application materials must submitted by the deadline to be considered for admission. Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on an evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant’s career/academic goals, and the applicant’s potential for completing the degree.

Application Deadlines

Fall: December 1^st (for both domestic and international applicants)

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