Department of Anthropology
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FAQs for Prospective Students
What is the deadline for applying to your graduate program?
January 15th: To be considered for the full range of fellowships and assistantships.
March 1st: To be considered for assistantships, but not fellowships.
May 15th: Final application deadline for international students.
July 15th: Final application deadline for U.S. students.
Do you require the GRE? What about the GRE subject test?
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. No subject test is required.
Are international students required to submit TOEFL scores? How about TSE and TWE scores?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required for international non-native speakers of English. Applicants must score 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 77 or higher on the Internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. In addition, applicants who take the TOEFL iBT must achieve the following minimum test scores: reading, 19: listening, 14; speaking, 18; and writing, 18.
As an alternative to the TOEFL, applicants may submit International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores of 6.5 or higher.
The Test of Written English (TWE) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) are recommended but not required.
What are the minimum GPA and GRE requirements?
The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 (“B”) average in undergraduate work for admission to a graduate program at Purdue.
There is no minimum GRE score required for admission.
What percentage of applicants are admitted to your program? What are my chances of being admitted?
The number of applicants varies from year to year, as does the percentage of applicants admitted to our program. The Graduate Committee evaluates each applicant in terms of potential for success in this department and potential for successful professional work in the field of anthropology.
Applicants are encouraged to submit writing samples to supplement the required application materials. Applicants are also encouraged to identify in their personal statements the research interests or specializations that attract them to graduate study at Purdue. It is also helpful to identify, in your personal statement, particular faculty members in this department who share your research interests or with whom you might wish to study.
How much is graduate tuition at Purdue?
Contact the Bursar’s Office for current fee rates.
How do I apply for financial aid?
All applicants are automatically considered for departmental teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. No additional application is needed.
Information regarding other funding opportunities at Purdue is available from the Graduate School.
For information on student loans, contact the Purdue Division of Financial Aid.
What if I don’t have a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology?
An undergraduate degree in anthropology is not necessary in order to be admitted to the graduate program; however, all graduate students are expected to gain and demonstrate a solid substantive base in anthropology prior to advancement in the program. The Graduate Committee may require students to complete specific courses at the time of admission.
Can I attend the Master’s program on a part-time basis?
Due to the highly structured nature of the Master’s program, part-time study is not recommended. Students receiving financial assistance from the department are expected to enroll full-time and to complete the Master’s degree within two academic years (four semesters).
Do I have to have a Master’s degree to apply to the doctoral program?
Students admitted to the PhD program must have completed an MA or MS in anthropology. Students with advanced degrees in other fields will be required to complete MS requirements in anthropology. Additionally, students entering the PhD program with an MS or MA from another institution will be required to demonstrate their expertise in the four fields of anthropology (sociocultural, archaeological, linguistic, and biological anthropology) by taking the diagnostic examination by the end of the second semester in residence, or by supplying comparable materials from an earlier program in anthropology.
Can I take graduate courses without being admitted to a degree program?
Students may apply for “postbaccalaureate” status. Please contact the Graduate Secretary for more information regarding postbaccalaureate study.
Where can I find information about faculty research?
For information about specific faculty members, or for faculty contact information, see our Faculty Directory.
Where can I find a list of graduate courses offered?
Visit the Purdue University Course Catalog. Scroll down to “ANTH – Anthropology” for a list of all departmental courses, or click on the Schedule of Classes link for the current semester’s course offerings.