Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Doctor of Philosophy - Anthropology


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Plan Description


Our program, which has a strong field and laboratory component in addition to coursework, is designed to prepare our graduates to work in a variety of settings, including academia, applied anthropology, cultural resources management, and other research settings.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

  1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission & Registration Requirements. 
  2. Students entering with an approved M.A. will not be required to go through the department’s M.A. program, but they may be required to take remedial courses in the case of deficiencies. A background in Anthropology is preferred among applicants.
  3. The applicant must have at least a 3.50 (A=4.00) grade point average for previous graduate work.
  4. The applicant must submit an example of their previous research, preferably a published paper; a copy of their thesis or a relevant research paper is also acceptable.
  5. The applicant must submit a detailed statement of intent (1-2 pages) outlining proposed research. In addition, the applicant must identify specific members of the faculty with whom they may wish to work.
  6. Three letters of recommendation must be provided attesting to the applicant’s ability to conduct doctoral level work. At least two of the letters must be from academic references.

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.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Master’s


Total Credits Required: 42

Course Requirements


Elective Courses - Credits: 19

Of total elective courses, 6 credits must come from ANTH 700 level (non-required) elective courses.

Any remaining elective credits must be graduate level courses and can either be taken in Anthropology or outside of the department (with approval by major adviser).

Required courses and/or ANTH 798 cannot also be counted as elective courses.

Of the elective courses, only 10 credits can come from Directed Readings or Independent Study

Dissertation - Credits: 12

Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of Dissertation (ANTH 798)

Degree Requirements


All credits towards the degree must be passed with a grade of B- or better. Classes in which a student receives a C+ or lower will not count towards their degree.

Any student receiving a C+ or lower will be placed on academic probation. Failure to meet the requirements of probation will result in separation from the graduate program.

In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

PhD Prospectus: All students must identify a project and write a prospectus of their proposed research - to be approved by their committee. The style of the proposal should be determined in consultation with the chair of the advisory committee. Minimum requirements for the departmental proposal include: general aims, hypotheses or research questions, methods, and significance. This proposal must be successfully defended to the committee and must be defended orally. The student must obtain committee approval of their prospectus and complete the Prospectus Approval form that can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

Comprehensive Exams: The student must pass a comprehensive examination with a grade of B– or better. This exam will cover three topics, selected to relate to the student’s dissertation research area. The topics will typically relate to an area of (a) theory, (b) methodological or topical specialty, and (c) culture area. Students who fail in any portion of the exam may retake that portion any time prior to the end of the semester following that during which the exam was taken. A second failure results in termination from the doctoral program.

After passing the doctoral comprehensive examination, the student must submit to the department a written dissertation proposal approved by the dissertation committee prior to the commencement of fieldwork or research. The student also must present a defense of this proposal to the academic community. After successfully completing these tasks, and completing the advancement to candidacy form, the student is advanced to candidacy.

Graduation Requirements


The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College through Grad Rebel Gateway as well as apply for graduation in the semester in which they intend to complete their degree requirements for both the Master’s and Doctoral portions of the program.

PhD Dissertation Defense: In order to graduate in a particular semester, the thesis/dissertation must be orally defended according to Graduate College guidelines. These defenses are open to the public, and must be advertised on campus two weeks prior to the defense.

Students are required to make a flier containing the following information: Name, Title of Dissertation, Date and Time, Location, and Abstract. This flier must be approved by the committee advisor, and once approved, it must be sent to the department Administrative Assistant a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled defense.

Oral defenses must last at least an hour, and will include, minimally, a 20-30 minute presentation of the research by the student followed by an opportunity for the audience to pose questions. This, in turn, will be followed by a non-public part of the defense in which the committee members will pose additional questions. Upon the successful oral defense, students should complete the Culminating Experience Results form which can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the deadline posted by the Graduate College.

Once the dissertation is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the formatting has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic versions to iThenicate and ProQuest. Deadlines for defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found on the Graduate College website. 

Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - Thesis


Total Credits Required: 75

Course Requirements


Elective Courses - Credits: 16

Of total elective courses, 6 credits must come from ANTH 700 level (non-required) elective courses.

Any remaining elective credits must be graduate level courses and can either be taken in Anthropology or outside of the department (with approval by major advisor).

Required courses and/or ANTH 797 cannot also be counted as elective courses.

Of the elective courses, only 6 credits can come from Directed Readings or Independent Study.

Thesis - Credits: 6

Students must take a minimum of 6 credits of Thesis preparation (ANTH 797).



  • After successfully completing the requirements above, students are eligible to earn the Master of Arts in Anthropology.

     

Elective Courses - Credits: 30

Once the requirements for the MA have been completed, of the 30 remaining elective course credits towards the PhD, all must be graduate level credits.

Of total elective courses, 6 credits must come from ANTH 700 level (non-required) elective courses (cannot use elective courses taken to earn the MA degree)

Any remaining elective credits must be graduate level courses and can either be taken in Anthropology or outside of the department (with approval by major adviser).

ANTH 798 cannot also be counted as an elective course

Of the elective courses, only 10 credits can come from Directed Readings or Independent Study

Dissertation - Credits: 12

Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of Dissertation (ANTH 798)

Degree Requirements


A minimum of 30 credits of approved work beyond the M.A. plus 12 credits of dissertation must be completed. This will not include remedial courses.

All credits towards the degree must be passed with a grade of B- or better. Classes in which a student receives a C+ or lower will not count towards their degree.

Any student receiving a C+ or lower will be placed on academic probation. Failure to meet the requirements of probation will result in separation from the graduate program.

In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

MA/PhD Prospectus: All students must identify a project and write a prospectus of their proposed research - to be approved by their committee. The style of the proposal should be determined in consultation with the chair of the advisory committee. Minimum requirements for the departmental proposal include: general aims, hypotheses or research questions, methods, and significance. This proposal must be successfully defended to the committee and must be defended orally. The student must obtain committee approval of their prospectus and complete the Prospectus Approval form that can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

Comprehensive Exams: The student must pass a comprehensive examination with a grade of B– or better. This exam will cover three topics, selected to relate to the student’s dissertation research area. The topics will typically relate to an area of (a) theory, (b) methodological or topical specialty, and (c) culture area. Students who fail in any portion of the exam may retake that portion any time prior to the end of the semester following that during which the exam was taken. A second failure results in termination from the doctoral program.

After passing the doctoral comprehensive examination, the student must submit to the department a written dissertation proposal approved by the dissertation committee prior to the commencement of fieldwork or research. The student also must present a defense of this proposal to the academic community. After successfully completing these tasks, and completing the advancement to candidacy form, the student is advanced to candidacy.

Graduation Requirements


The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College through Grad Rebel Gateway as well as apply for graduation in the semester in which they intend to complete their degree requirements for both the Master’s and Doctoral portions of the program.

MA/PhD Thesis/Dissertation Defense: In order to graduate in a particular semester, the thesis/dissertation must be orally defended according to Graduate College guidelines. These defenses are open to the public, and must be advertised on campus two weeks prior to the defense.

Students are required to make a flier containing the following information: Name, Title of Thesis/Dissertation, Date and Time, Location, and Abstract. This flier must be approved by the committee advisor, and once approved, it must be sent to the department Administrative Assistant a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled defense.

Oral defenses must last at least an hour, and will include, minimally, a 20-30 minute presentation of the research by the student followed by an opportunity for the audience to pose questions. This, in turn, will be followed by a non-public part of the defense in which the committee members will pose additional questions. Upon the successful oral defense, students should complete the Culminating Experience Results form which can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis/dissertation by the deadline posted by the Graduate College.

Once the thesis/dissertation is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted copy of their thesis/dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the formatting has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic versions. Doctoral dissertations will also be subject to submission to iThenicate and ProQuest. Deadlines for defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found on the Graduate College website. 

Subplan 3 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - Publishable Paper


Total Credits Required: 75

Course Requirements


Elective Courses - Credits: 16

Of the 16 elective course credits, all must be graduate level credits. A maximum of 10 credits can come from Directed Reading or Independent Study. Additionally, at least 6 credits must come from non-required ANTH 700-level courses. Culminating Experience credits cannot be counted as elective credits.

Culminating Experience - Credits: 6

Students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits of Culminating Experience (ANTH 795)

Elective Courses - Credits: 30

Once the requirements for the MA have been completed, of the 30 remaining elective course credits towards the PhD, all must be graduate level credits.

Of total elective courses, 6 credits must come from ANTH 700 level (non-required) elective courses (cannot use elective courses taken to earn the MA degree)

Any remaining elective credits must be graduate level courses and can either be taken in Anthropology or outside of the department (with approval by major adviser).

ANTH 798 cannot also be counted as an elective course

Of the elective courses, only 10 credits can come from Directed Readings or Independent Study

Dissertation - Credits: 12

Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of Dissertation (ANTH 798)

Degree Requirements


A minimum of 30 credits of approved work beyond the M.A. plus 12 credits of dissertation must be completed. This will not include remedial courses.

All credits towards the degree must be passed with a grade of B- or better. Classes in which a student receives a C+ or lower will not count towards their degree.

Any student receiving a C+ or lower will be placed on academic probation. Failure to meet the requirements of probation will result in separation from the graduate program.

In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

MA/PhD Prospectus: All students must identify a project and write a prospectus of their proposed research - to be approved by their committee. The style of the proposal should be determined in consultation with the chair of the advisory committee. Minimum requirements for the departmental proposal include: general aims, hypotheses or research questions, methods, and significance. This proposal must be successfully defended to the committee and must be defended orally. The student must obtain committee approval of their prospectus and complete the Prospectus Approval form that can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

Comprehensive Exams: The student must pass a comprehensive examination with a grade of B– or better. This exam will cover three topics, selected to relate to the student’s dissertation research area. The topics will typically relate to an area of (a) theory, (b) methodological or topical specialty, and (c) culture area. Students who fail in any portion of the exam may retake that portion any time prior to the end of the semester following that during which the exam was taken. A second failure results in termination from the doctoral program.

After passing the doctoral comprehensive examination, the student must submit to the department a written dissertation proposal approved by the dissertation committee prior to the commencement of fieldwork or research. The student also must present a defense of this proposal to the academic community. After successfully completing these tasks, and completing the advancement to candidacy form, the student is advanced to candidacy.

Graduation Requirements


The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College through Grad Rebel Gateway as well as apply for graduation in the semester in which they intend to complete their degree requirements for both the Master’s and Doctoral portions of the program.

MA/PhD Thesis/Dissertation Defense: In order to graduate in a particular semester, the thesis/dissertation must be orally defended according to Graduate College guidelines. These defenses are open to the public, and must be advertised on campus two weeks prior to the defense.

Students are required to make a flier containing the following information: Name, Title of Thesis/Dissertation, Date and Time, Location, and Abstract. This flier must be approved by the committee advisor, and once approved, it must be sent to the department Administrative Assistant a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled defense.

Oral defenses must last at least an hour, and will include, minimally, a 20-30 minute presentation of the research by the student followed by an opportunity for the audience to pose questions. This, in turn, will be followed by a non-public part of the defense in which the committee members will pose additional questions. Upon the successful oral defense, students should complete the Culminating Experience Results form which can be found on Grad Rebel Gateway.

The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis/dissertation by the deadline posted by the Graduate College.

Once the thesis/dissertation is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted copy of their thesis/dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the formatting has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic versions. Doctoral dissertations will also be subject to submission to iThenicate and ProQuest. Deadlines for defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found on the Graduate College website. 

Plan Graduation Requirements


Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Post-Master’s
Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor’s - Thesis
Subplan 3: Post-Bachelor’s - Publishable Paper

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