Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Anthropology

MA and PhD

• Fields:
  • Archaeology;
  • Evolutionary Anthropology;
  • Linguistic and Semiotic Anthropology;
  • Medical Anthropology;
  • Sociocultural Anthropology

MSc

• Fields:
  • Archaeology;
  • Evolutionary Anthropology;
  • Medical Anthropology

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

• Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies
  • Anthropology, MA
• Development Policy and Power
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc
• Diaspora and Transnational Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• Environmental Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, PhD
• Food Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, PhD
• Global Health (U of T Global Scholar)
  • Anthropology, PhD
• Jewish Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, PhD
• Mediterranean Archaeology
  • Anthropology, PhD
• Sexual Diversity Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• South Asian Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• Women and Gender Studies
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD
• Women's Health
  • Anthropology, MA, MSc, PhD

Overview

Anthropology is concerned with the unity, diversity, and evolution of humanity (and non-human primates) and of human culture and society from a comparative and global perspective. The Department of Anthropology was established in 1936 and has included many of the most prominent figures in Canadian anthropology. The first MA degree was awarded in 1949; the first PhD in 1956.

Members of the department conduct research on present and past human societies, cultural knowledge and practice, evolutionary antecedents, and closely related species. Graduate training is offered in socio-cultural, medical, evolutionary/biological, linguistic, and archaeological branches of the field. Anthropology students at the University of Toronto can study human biology and evolution; human behaviour from its first appearance in the archaeological record to the first appearance of writing; language and society; anthropology of health; and the diversity of human culture in today’s world. Since Anthropology concerns the diversity and commonality of humans over time and around the globe, faculty and graduate research is broadly international and varies in method and theoretical frame. Nonetheless, it coheres in the quest to understand past and present human experience in social, cultural, and evolutionary contexts.

Contact and Address

Web: www.anthropology.utoronto.ca
Email: anthropology.graduate@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-5416
Fax: (416) 978-3217

Department of Anthropology
University of Toronto
Room 256, 19 Ursula Franklin Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S2
Canada

Master of Arts

Program Description

The department offers a Master of Arts degree program, both full-time and part-time. The full-time option normally extends over a 12-month period lasting from September to September.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Anthropology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

• B+ average or equivalent.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they have the appropriate background to enter a particular program of graduate study.

• Two letters of reference.

• A brief statement of interest (not exceeding 1,000 words).

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • 0.5 FCE: ANT3047H or ANT4010H or ANT6100H

  • 1.0 FCE: ANT2000Y

  • 2.0 FCEs, of which at least 1.0 FCE must be in Anthropology

  • Exceptions to coursework requirements must be approved by the advisor and Graduate Coordinator.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Master of Science

Program Description

The MSc program is most appropriate for students who are considering careers in consulting archaeology, some aspects of medical or forensic anthropology, NGO work, or application to PhD programs in Anthropology at other Canadian universities.

The full-time, two-year program is normally completed by the Summer of Year 2. The MSc program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Anthropology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

• B+ average or equivalent.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they have the appropriate background to enter a particular program of graduate study.

• Two letters of reference.

• A brief statement of interest (not exceeding 1,000 words).

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • 0.5 FCE: ANT3047H or ANT4010H or ANT6100H

  • 1.0 FCE: ANT2500Y

  • 3.0 FCEs, of which 1.5 FCEs will normally be science courses in archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, medical anthropology, or related disciplines depending on the student's program

  • Exceptions to coursework requirements must be approved by the advisor and Graduate Coordinator.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy is primarily a research degree. A program of study is designed for each student to ensure competence in a field of research, culminating in the writing of a thesis.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.

Depending on subfield or area of research, completion of the PhD may take longer than the indicated program length below. See the departmental handbook for details.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Anthropology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

• Admission is offered primarily to excellent students who, by the time of enrolment, have completed a master’s degree in anthropology (or a cognate subject).

• All applicants are expected to have achieved grades averaging the equivalent of a University of Toronto A– or better in their last full year of study. Most successful applicants will have finished or be in the process of completing an MA or MSc.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they have the appropriate background to enter a particular program of graduate study.

• Two letters of reference.

• A brief statement of interest (not exceeding 1,000 words).

• Applicants are required to identify departmental members with whom they want to conduct PhD research. The department regrets that it cannot admit students to the PhD program, regardless of their qualifications, unless a supervisor is available.

• Undergraduate students with strong backgrounds in anthropology or relevant disciplines (grade point average of 3.70 or above in their last 5.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) and who have earned an appropriate bachelor’s degree with a concentration in anthropology or a cognate discipline may apply directly for admission to the PhD program.

Program Requirements

• At the beginning of the academic year, each student will submit, with the SGS enrolment form, a program statement describing his or her plan to meet program requirements.

• A minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), of which at least 1.5 FCEs are normally in anthropology.

• Attain at least an A– average in coursework to continue in the PhD program in good standing.

• Submit research proposal by the end of the second session of Year 2 (for example, May 1 for students who start in September).

• Before proceeding to full-time research (achieving candidacy), students must:

  • Be resident on campus for one year.

  • Complete the minimum of 3.0 FCEs (noted above), of which at least 1.5 FCEs are normally in anthropology.

  • Gain experience in research methods and design; requirement can be filled by completing coursework in methodology or, with the department’s assent, undertaking faculty-supervised fieldwork or laboratory research. Each student will normally be involved in fieldwork, in the broad meaning of the term, and in theoretical analysis.

  • Present and defend a thesis proposal.

  • Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of at least one language other than English, unless their program of study requires the intensive and time-consuming mastery of another research tool; demonstration of adequate language or equivalent knowledge can be accomplished in a variety of ways, a list of which is available in the Department of Anthropology’s Graduate Student Handbook.

  • An approved Ethics Protocol for all students working with living organisms and modern human remains.

Program Length

4 years

Although the program has been designed for completion in four years, some students may require a longer period to complete all of the requirements.

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Anthropology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

• Undergraduate students with strong backgrounds in anthropology or relevant disciplines (grade point average of 3.70 or above in their last 5.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) and who have earned an appropriate bachelor’s degree with a concentration in anthropology or a cognate discipline may apply directly for admission to the PhD program.

• All applicants are expected to have achieved grades averaging the equivalent of a University of Toronto A– or better in their last full year of study.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they have the appropriate background to enter a particular program of graduate study.

• Two letters of reference.

• A brief statement of interest (not exceeding 1,000 words).

• Applicants are required to identify departmental members with whom they want to conduct PhD research. The department regrets that it cannot admit students to the PhD program, regardless of their qualifications, unless a supervisor is available.

Program Requirements

• At the beginning of the academic year, each student will submit, with the SGS enrolment form, a program statement describing his or her plan to meet program requirements.

• Students must complete 5.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 3.0 FCEs, normally taken in Year 1

  • 2.0 FCEs taken in Year 2, when work on the research proposal is also expected to begin.

• Attain an annual average of at least A– to continue in the PhD program in good standing.

• Submit research proposal by the end of the second session of Year 3 (for example, May 1 for students who start in September).

• Before proceeding to full-time research (achieving candidacy), students must:

  • Be resident on campus for one year.

  • Complete the minimum 5.0 FCEs (noted above), of which at least 2.5 FCEs are normally in anthropology.

  • Gain experience in research methods and design; requirement can be filled by completing coursework in methodology or, with the department’s assent, undertaking faculty-supervised fieldwork or laboratory research. Each student will normally be involved in fieldwork, in the broad meaning of the term, and in theoretical analysis.

  • Present and defend a thesis proposal.

  • Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of at least one language other than English, unless their program of study requires the intensive and time-consuming mastery of another research tool; demonstration of adequate language or equivalent knowledge can be accomplished in a variety of ways, a list of which is available in the Department of Anthropology’s Graduate Student Handbook.

  • An approved Ethics Protocol for all students working with living organisms and modern human remains.

Program Length

5 years

Although the program has been designed for completion in five years, some students may require a longer period to complete all of the requirements.

Time Limit

7 years

Not all courses are offered every year. Check with the department for the current year’s offerings.

General

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Archaeology

Evolutionary Anthropology

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Linguistic and Semiotic Anthropology

Medical Anthropology

Sociocultural Anthropology

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Joint Courses