Department of Anthropology
Site Contents
FAQs for Current Students
Plan of Study
Funding Options
Research Assistantships
Mentoring
Master's Thesis
Doctoral Dissertation
Plan of Study
How long will it take to get my degree?
Master’s students complete the Master of Science degree in two academic years. Most students will take an additional three to four years to finish a PhD.
When do I need to submit my plan of study?
Master’s students should develop and submit a Plan of Study by the end of their first semester in the MS program. Failure to have an approved Plan of Study on file by the end of the third semester may delay graduation.
PhD students are encouraged to submit a POS by the end of their first semester in the PhD program. A POS for the PhD degree must by filed with the Graduate School prior to the submission of a request for the appointment of a preliminary examining committee.
How do I file a Plan of Study?
Log on to SSINFO, and under the “Academic” menu on the left hand side choose “Graduate Student Database”, then choose “Plan of Study Generator” and follow the instructions to create a Plan of Study. Contact the Graduate Secretary if you need assistance.
Funding Options
What are my options for funding?
There are three types of funding sources available to all students:
-
Departmental funding: Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships provide tuition remission plus a monthly stipend.
-
Other funding sources at Purdue University: The Graduate School provides a comprehensive list of grants and fellowships available on campus. Students may also seek teaching assignments in other departments on campus or teach distance learning courses and evening classes for Purdue’s Office for Continuing Education.
-
External funding sources: External agencies may have fellowship or grant programs applicable to your research. Some Purdue students also teach courses at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette.
Research Assistantships
How do I get a Research Assistantship?
Students seeking RA’s should contact faculty members directly to ask about possible funding.
What does an RA do?
RA’s assist faculty members with research tasks. Duties may include data collection, data analysis, library research, etc.
Mentoring
How do I choose a major professor?
Master’s students must select a major professor by the end of their 2nd semester in the program. Friday morning department get-togethers are a good way to meet faculty, or you might ask a fellow student to introduce you to a faculty member. Approach a faculty member whose research interests are similar to your own interest or with whom you think you could work closely.
Who can be my major professor?
Any faculty member in the anthropology department can be your major professor, but we strongly recommend that you consider tenured members of the faculty.
How do I choose an advisory committee?
Choose faculty members who can help you with your research and who will work well as a team. Your major professor may help you select an advisory committee.
How many committee members do I need?
Three (including major professor) for the MS. Four (including major professor) for the PhD.
Master's Thesis
When should I choose a topic for my Master’s Thesis?
Students should begin meeting with an advisory committee to discuss the theoretical basis and research design for their project during the second semester in residence. A two-page prospectus for the thesis must be submitted to and approved by the committee by the end of the second semester.
How far in advance do I need to plan for my Master’s Thesis defense?
At the beginning of the semester in which you plan to defend, notify the Graduate Secretary and request to be registered as a candidate for graduation.
At least three weeks prior to the date of your defense, notify the Graduate Secretary of the date, time and location of your defense. The Graduate Secretary will prepare a “Request for Appointment of Examining Committee” document to be signed by your major professor and submitted to the Graduate School.
Doctoral Dissertation
When should I take my preliminary exams?
Ideally, by the end of your 2nd year in the PhD program. To be eligible for the exam, you must have filed a PhD Plan of Study with the Graduate School and satisfactorily completed most (or all) or your course work for the PhD. Your preliminary exam must be completed at least two academic sessions prior to the expected date of graduation.
How far in advance do I need to plan for my dissertation defense?
At the beginning of the semester in which you plan to defend, notify the Graduate Secretary and request to be registered as a candidate for graduation.
At least three weeks prior to the date of your defense, notify the Graduate Secretary of the date, time and location of your defense and your final dissertation title. The Graduate Secretary will submit paperwork to the Graduate School requesting the appointment of a PhD Examining Committee.