Hey folks,
I’m currently an undergraduate student majoring in Anthropology. Eventually, I am looking to get my Phd and do research in this field as well as teaching, that is my ultimate goal! I was researching online about the options I have after my bachelors. Some sources were saying you can go straight into a Phd program or just get the masters then the Phd. I know there are probably Pro’s and Con’s to both options, but is it common to go straight into a Phd after your bachelors? Do some schools require a masters first? What knowledge do you folks have about this specific route? Thank you!
Yes if you have the grades and research experience you go straight for the phd program, get your Master enroute, and get funded while doing it. A phd should ALWAYS be funded (it has no market value if not) and should be from the biggest name brand you got into.
Some students get a terminal master’s degree because they cannot get into a funded phd program or need the Master’s in relation to their job (such as teaching social studies).
It means you need to make sure you have the highest possible GRE score, as many advanced classes in your major AND your geographical area of interest, have worked for a professor and done research/presented it.
If you don’t have that, how does the phd fit with your goals?
The answer to this, as with so many things relating to graduate school, is “it depends.”
In the US, it is common to apply directly to PhD programs from undergrad. You can still do a MA first, and this is more common in some subfields of anthropology (e.g. medical anthro and archaeology) than others, but students are often accepted directly to a PhD program and earn a MA along the way. In many other countries, like Canada, the UK, and Germany, you are expected to earn a master’s degree first and then apply for PhD programs. In other words, whether you need a MA/MPhil before a PhD depends on where you’d like to apply.
It also depends on how settled you are on your research interests. Some seniors know exactly what they want to study when they get to graduate school, but others are just beginning to settle on research interests. I found my old PhD application essays a while back while cleaning out my old laptop and was amused to see that my interests as a college senior were totally different from what I ultimately studied and wrote my dissertation on.
Personally, I think a good application list should have a mix of PhD and MA programs. PhD programs are extremely competitive these days, and it’s not unusual for students to strike out completely on their first try. Funded MA programs can be a great opportunity to narrow down your research interests and get a better grasp on the methodologies of the field before selecting and applying to PhD programs.
^Agreed with @warblersrule! If you are 100% sure that you want a PhD and already have a decent idea of what you want to research (even if you are open to some change), going straight to a PhD is most time- and cost-effective. The PhD itself takes about 6-8 years, and an MA adds 1-2 years on that - few PhD programs accept all of the credits from a MA program.
The most important components to make yourself competitive for PhD programs is 1) research experience - most successful social science PhD applicants have about 2 years of experience or more; 2) fit with the department and a good handle/outline of what you want to do research in - that’s going to matter for matching you with potential advisors and for the department deciding whether you’d be happy there; and 3) letters of recommendation from your current professors, praising you as a top student and as someone likely to succeed not only in the PhD program but in a research career. Also important are languages: most anthropology PhD programs require reading knowledge of two languages, typically related to your field of study. Many programs like to see that you have already started on one so they can be sure that you can pass those exams by the end of year 2 or 3 of the program.
MA programs in anthropology are usually not funded, but there are some funded programs - if you are competitive for PhD programs but are considering an MA first, I’d definitely poke around for those.
They can be harder to find – people don’t generally share that list as readily as there are so few of them.