PhD Student, Ana Barun, conducting field research
How to Apply
The Anthropology Department at Boston University offers two graduate programs: an M.A. in Public Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Anthropology. Applications for both programs should be made through the online application portal via the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS).
The Boston University School of Medicine offers an M.A. in Medical Anthropology and an M.S. in Forensic Anthropology. All inquiries regarding these programs should be directed to the GMS admissions office.
M.A.P.A. Application Requirements
- Online application form
- Resume/CV
- Transcripts
- Personal statement/statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- A $95 application fee must be paid in order for your application to be considered complete. This fee is non-refundable. Information on fee waivers for MA applicants is available on the GRS website.
- Deadline: March 1
In your personal statement/statement of purpose, we hope to learn your area of interest (topic and geographic) and why BU would be the place for you to study it. Consider the following questions: what education/experience led you to your current interest, what you plan to do upon completion of the degree, which professor(s) would you seek out as advisors, and what about our department interests you?
The GRE is not required. However, if you feel that your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. The admissions committee fully recognizes that there are many components to your application and that GRE scores have a limited scope of predictive power in the evaluation of a candidate for their long-term success as a student.
Boston University prefers that all application materials be submitted digitally through the online application portal when possible. If circumstances arise that make this impossible, please mail any hard copy materials to the following address:
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Admissions Office
705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112
Boston, M.A. 02215
Ph.D. Application Requirements
- Online application form
- Resume/CV
- Transcripts
- Personal statement/statement of purpose
- Writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (minimum requirements listed here)
- A $95 application fee must be paid in order for your application to be considered complete. This fee is non-refundable. Information on fee waivers for PhD applicants is available on the GRS website.
- Deadline: January 15
In your personal statement/statement of purpose, we hope to learn your area of interest (topic and geographic) and why BU would be the place for you to study it. Consider the following questions: what education/experience led you to your current interest, what you plan to do upon completion of the degree, which professor(s) would you seek out as advisors, and what about our department interests you?
The GRE is not required. However, if you feel that your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. The admissions committee fully recognizes that there are many components to your application and that GRE scores have a limited scope of predictive power in the evaluation of a candidate for their long-term success as a student.
Boston University prefers that all application materials be submitted digitally through the online application portal when possible. If circumstances arise that make this impossible, please mail any hard copy materials to the following address:
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Admissions Office
705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112
Boston, M.A. 02215
Funding
Each year, Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GRS) offers incoming Ph.D. students Dean’s Fellowships, which include full tuition, a living stipend, and health insurance for five years. For more information on financial aid for doctoral students, visit the GRS page on fellowship aid.
No financial aid is available through the University for students enrolled in the M.A.P.A. program. For information on federal and private educational loans, please visit the GRS page on aid for M.A. students. International students are urged to apply for support to their governments or international agencies.
