The UNLV Anthropology Department offers several courses of study that lead to the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Our program is explicitly cross-disciplinary, and while students may choose to concentrate in a subdiscipline such as archaeology, cultural anthropology, or biological anthropology, they are also encouraged to work with a variety of faculty members and to approach anthropology through a broad lens. Our faculty members are active field workers, with research programs in areas as diverse as Africa, Alaska, the American Southwest, Central Andes (Peru), China, Mexico and the Mexico-U.S. border, and Turkey. Students have opportunities to work with faculty in these geographical areas or, if they prefer, to develop research projects in other areas.

Training is provided in theory, contemporary research methods, and research design and implementation. Advanced graduate students are further encouraged to participate in the larger academic community through the submission of grants, presentation of papers, and publishing. These curricular and extracurricular activities ensure that students acquire the necessary skills and accomplishments to compete successfully in the job place. Our emphasis on rigorous training and intensive mentorship has resulted in an unusually high placement rate for our students.

To apply, visit the Graduate College homepage.

Majors

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Anthropology
    Available Options:
    • Post-Master’s Track
    • Post-Bachelor’s - Thesis Track
    • Post-Bachelor's - Publishable Paper Track
  • Master of Arts - Anthropology
    Available Options:
    • General Anthropology
    • General Anthropology Thesis Track
    • General Anthropology Non-Thesis Track

For current academic requirements, please see the UNLV Graduate Catalog.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

All materials supporting applications for admission to the Graduate College must be received by Feb. 1 for both the M.A. program AND the Ph.D. program. See also deadlines posted by the Graduate College. Please note that we have only ONE application deadline and do not accept applications for spring admissions.

International students can find information regarding financial requirements at the Graduate College website.

Additional information about our program can be found in the UNLV Graduate Catalog or by contacting Brian Villmoare (brian.villmoare@unlv.edu, 702-895-4823), graduate coordinator for the Anthropology Department. Other questions may be directed to the Graduate College (702-895-3320).