Doctor of Philosophy

Each student develops, in collaboration with an advisor, a program of study in anthropology designed to establish a high level of competency. A minimum of 75 points of acceptable graduate credit is required for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Of these 75 points, a maximum of 45 points can be completed through another faculty of Columbia University, or a maximum of 30 points may be transferred in from other recognized graduate schools. A total of 40-45 points of major courses is required.

 

These courses prepare students with the requisite knowledge of epistemological, theoretical, methodological, ethnographic, and substantive areas of anthropology. They aim to develop competency in the discipline, while addressing the specific intellectual interests of the student.

 

At least 15 points of the anthropology requirements must be taken within the program.

 

A minimum of 25 points of the 40 points required in anthropology must be taken at Teachers College, or in other faculties of Columbia University. Within the major course requirements, 15 points in required courses must be taken: the four-semester sequence of colloquia and summer field research (a minimum of 12 points) and an independent study (3 points) used in preparation for the certification examination and dissertation proposal. Fifteen points in research methods and statistical courses are also required. The remaining 15 points of electives are used to increase competence in comparative, regional, or international studies, or to enhance technical skills used in conjunction with but outside the major course of study. At least three of these courses (8-9 points) must be taken in fields foundational to anthropology (economics, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology.) Of the 75 graduate points required for the degree, a minimum of 45 must be taken for an evaluative letter grade.

 

Foreign Language Requirement

 

Each candidate must satisfy the foreign language requirement by demonstrating proficiency in two scholarly languages, or one scholarly language and one field language, or one scholarly language and a two-semester sequence of prescribed statistics courses.