Anthropology - Graduate

The M.A. degree in Applied Anthropology at UK is designed to train students to apply the theories, methods, and practices of anthropology to solve real world problems, and to prepare students for careers in different domains of application or for further graduate study. The program draws on the department’s considerable research strengths in a variety of areas (see website for more information), and puts strong emphasis on training in theory, application, and proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods and skills. The M.A. in Applied Anthropology program has three Areas of Concentration – Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology and Medical Anthropology. Students must declare their area of concentration in their program application.

1. CV
   • Please provide an updated curriculum vitae containing information on your academic and professional accomplishments and experiences.
2. Statement of Purpose (no more than two singe-space pages)
   • For MA applicants, discuss how you think the applied MA suits your particular professional and career goals and discuss why the University of Kentucky's Department of Anthropology is a good fit.
   • For PhD applicants, please describe your research interests and a potential dissertation project.
   • See below for tips on how to prepare a statement of purpose.
   • Please upload in the slot for a Personal Statement
3. Writing sample
   • Please upload one exemplary sample of your writing. This can be a previously published article or an article submitted for publication as the primary author, a paper or essay written for a class, a chapter of your undergraduate or Master’s thesis, or a section of a report submitted to an agency. Please do not submit an entire thesis or a lengthy, multi-authored report.
4. Three letters of recommendation (see Instructions in the section below)

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.

The GRE is not required for admission to this program during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Application deadlines:

• Fall: January 1

The statement of purpose that accompanies your application for graduate study at the PhD level is very important to the admissions committee and is often a crucial factor in the decision to admit. A clear, well-focused statement reveals your potential for graduate work. Some tips for writing a successful statement of purpose:

• Make sure that your research interests can be fulfilled and supported through graduate study in our program. In advance of submitting your application, we strongly encourage applicants to email those faculty members with whom you would most like to work and share your research interests.
• Be as specific as possible about (1) the direction you wish to pursue in the area of your interest and (2) your educational and/or career objectives. Provide details about the types of anthropology problems that interest you, the kinds of methods and approaches you want to learn more about, and in what parts of the world you want to study. If you want to work with specific faculty, you should mention this in your essay.
• Write clearly and persuasively. Your statement should clearly and persuasively articulate your plans for graduate study. Please provide details about your experiences, skills, and background that will help you carry out your research interests at the graduate level. The admissions committee needs to be able to evaluate your ability to analyze problems and organize your thoughts about your research interests and/or problems in anthropology.
• Proofread your statement carefully. It’s a good idea to have a faculty member at your undergraduate or M.A. institution look over your statement before you submit the final copy. 
• Share your statement with your recommendation letter writers. Once you have written your statement and proofread it, share it with your recommendation letter writers so that they are aware of your research objectives and plans and can comment on these in their letters.

Note: All applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements. Students who do not meet these requirements may face delays in being officially admitted to the university or, in rare cases, rescindment of our program’s admissions offer.

The GRE is not required for admission to anthropology graduate programs, however please note that the College of Arts & Science’s Hanh Fellowship requires minimum GRE scores among its eligibility criteria.