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College of arts and sciences
Department of Anthropology

Graduate Admissions

On this page:

Admission Criteria

  • The minimum GPA for admission to the PhD program in Anthropology is 3.2.
  • The minimum GPA for admission to the MA program in Anthropology is 3.0.

Deadlines

The current application deadlines in the Anthropology Deaprtment include:

  • December 15 for all U.S. and international PhD applicants seeking funding.
  • March 15 for all other international applicants.
  • May 1 for all other U.S. applicants.
  • Decisions will begin in January for completed applicants.

Application Process

Pay the Application Fee

Pay the $75 non-refundable application fee before you submit your online application. The application fee may be paid online through UB e-Pay with a credit card using the links below:

MA program E-Pay

PhD program E-Pay

Complete an Application

All applicants must complete and submit an online GRADMIT application for the degree program of their choice.

Submit All Application Documents

Transcripts: Upload electronic transcripts from all colleges and universities attended with your online application. Official transcripts are required if you are admitted and choose to matriculate to a graduate program at the University at Buffalo. Please send all official transcripts to the Department of Anthropology:

University at Buffalo
Department of Anthropology
380 MFAC, Ellicott Complex
Buffalo, NY 14261-0026

We request that accepted students not send official transcripts directly to the University at Buffalo's The Graduate School.

Curriculum Vitae: Upload your current Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Writing Sample: Upload an academic writing sample.

Provide GRE Results

Have the testing service send official scores directly to the university using the codes below:

  • UB Institution Code: 2925
  • Anthropology Dept. Code: 1701

The department has no set GRE score minimum, but expects students to present strong scores for admission to both the MA and PhD programs in Anthropology. Applicants should note that the undergraduate grade point average and GRE scores required for admission to the Anthropology MA and PhD programs may be higher than those set by the Graduate School at UB.

Recommendation Letters

Provide the contact information for three (3) confidential letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic work. After submitting your application for final review, the reviewers will each receive an email invitation to the online recommendation portal where letters can be uploaded. Please ensure to fill in all contact information fields for your reviewers.

International applicants must also provide the following:

Financial Documentation

The Financial Form and support documentation is required to demonstrate your ability to meet all educational and living expenses for your intended study at the University at Buffalo.

Copy of Passport

Plesae provide a copy of the biographic page from your passport.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Results

Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam:

  • UB Institution Code: 2925
  • Anthropology Dept. Code: 81

Have the testing service send official scores directly to the university using the codes above. Minimum score:

  • Paper Test        600
  • Internet Test    100

More information on international graduate admissions at UB may be found on The Graduate School website.

Non-matriculating Students

If you are interested in registering for Anthropology graduate courses on a non-matriculated basis, you must submit a non-degree application available through The Gradaute School. Applicants should also upload all supporting application materials through this electronic application.

The Department of Anthropology requires the following:

  1. Before you submit an application for non-degree status, you must submit an email to each faculty member teaching the course(s) asking if you may take their course as a non-matriculated student. If the instructors agree they will send an email to Dr. Donald Pollock, the department's Director of Graduate Studies, affirming consent.
  2. Send a letter or email to Dr. Pollock (dpollock@buffalo.edu) stating why you wish to be enrolled as a non-matriculated student. Include in your communication the specific Anthropology graduate course(s) you wish to take that semester and a transcript showing conferral of a BA or BS degree.
  3. If your request for non-matriculated status is approved by the department then you may submit the online application. There is a $35 application fee that may be paid online using a credit card through the UB e-Pay system.

Please note non-matriculated students are not allowed to register for the below survey courses  intended for matriculated anthropology graduate students only:

  • APY 651 Graduate Survey Physical Anthropology
  • APY 652 Graduate Survey Archaeology
  • APY 654 or 655 Graduate Survey Social Anthropology

Contact Us

Donald Pollock

Director of Graduate Studies; Associate Professor

Department of Anthropology

372 MFAC

Phone: (716) 645-3080

Email: dpollock@buffalo.edu

Maria Portera

Graduate Studies Coordinator

Department of Anthropology

380 MFAC

Phone: (716) 645-6242

Email: mportera@buffalo.edu

Graduate Programs

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