How to Apply
Graduate Admissions Heading link
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The Application Process
All applications are submitted online through the Office of Admissions website. After submitting the application, you can access links to upload departmental required documents and input email addresses for recommendation letter writers. The Graduate College website also has detailed information and links to the application process.
Application deadline: December 15theach year for the following Fall term. We do not admit new students in Spring or Summer terms.
We are interested in applicants with excellent academic records, field experience, language skills, and whose interests closely match those of our existing faculty.
The department will no longer require GRE scores.
Requisites for Admission into the Program
- Online application form
- Application fee ($70)
- Transcripts
- Statement of academic/professional goals (750-1000 words)
- CV/Resume
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably from past professors, uploaded by letter writers to the application system)
- Writing sample (a brief example of your academic writing)(Optional for those entering with a BA, required for those with a prior Master’s degree)
Students who enter into the PhD program with an MA may be considered for advanced standing. The following criteria are considered in making reductions of course loads during your degree:
- An MA in Anthropology, or equivalent, from an accredited US college or university
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 (A=4.00) for work completed at the graduate level
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Tips for Applying
Our Graduate Program focuses on selecting students whose interests have synergies with our faculty. Here are a few tips to follow to ensure that UIC is the right place for you to complete your Anthropology graduate work:
Contact our faculty. For PhD students specifically, we strongly encourage you to look at the research interests of our faculty and reach out to them directly to discuss your goals and how we can meet them during your time here at UIC.
The Statement. When writing your research statement you should emphasize what you want to research, talk about why UIC is the place to do this work and how doing graduate work is an essential part of your broader career trajectory.
If you have any questions about the program or the application process please contact the Director of Graduate Studies.
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International
The Department welcomes applications from a variety of academic backgrounds. Previous study of Anthropology is strongly encouraged but is not a formal requirement for entry into the Graduate Program. International students are also required to provide the following:
- TOEFL/IELTS scores
- Certified translations of transcripts
- International credential evaluation fee ($100) (This fee is required if an applicant has any course work needing evaluation completed outside the US, whether the student is international or not)
For more information about requirements for International Student see the following link.
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Graduate Student Funding
Our program provides MA and PhD admitted students with financial support in the form of a stipend and tuition waiver to assist them during their time in program. For MA students, funding is provided for two years. For PhD students, funding is provided for the first five years, with potential for additional years pending progress review and availability. Departmental support is typically offered as a fifty-percent-time position as a teaching assistant. Continuing funding support during the initial stages is contingent upon the graduate student’s demonstrated progress in the program.
Our University also provides additional opportunities for competitive grants and fellowships to support course work, research, travel, and dissertation completion.
Unofficial copies of transcripts (meeting the requirements set by the Office of Admissions) will be used during the review process; any students that are offered admission and accept will then be contacted concerning official, attested copies.
Questions? We provide answers to many questions on our frequently asked questions page. Additional questions may be directed to Melanie Kane (Program Coordinator) at mkane2@uic.edu.