Admission

Applications are open for Fall 2026

The Department of Anthropology offers the following graduate programs:

• Ph.D. in Evolutionary Anthropology
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Evolutionary Anthropology
• Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology

Apply Online Here

Admission Deadlines

New students are accepted for the fall quarter only. 

• December 15 - Applications for admission into our Ph.D. programs and Terminal M.A. program (only in Evolutionary Anthropology) must be submitted online. The online application process includes submission of the following materials: three letters of recommendation, Statement of Purpose, Personal History Statement, Prior Experience Essay (optional), Writing Sample, and CV.
• December 15 - Prospective student fellowship deadline. Students must apply by this deadline to be considered for potential fellowships.
• March 15 - Space available deadline for students applying to the Ph.D. programs and Terminal M.A. program in Evolutionary Anthropology.

Application Requirements

• Prerequisites

• We do not have any course prerequisites.

  An M.A. degree is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program. Students may apply directly from a bachelor’s degree program. The Evolutionary Anthropology program is admitting students who wish to obtain only an M.A. degree (the “Terminal MA" program). Please consult with the E-Wing faculty you are interested in working with before selecting the M.A. rather than the Ph.D. degree program.

  Note: The Sociocultural Anthropology program does not offer a Terminal M.A.

• Preferred Faculty Mentor(s)

• You will be asked to indicate up to three faculty members with whom you wish to work. 

  Masters (Evolutionary Wing only):
  Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with potential advisors (major professors) prior to the application's deadline.

  Ph.D. (Evolutionary and Sociocultural Wings):
  The Anthropology Ph.D. is a mentorship program. We strongly recommend that you contact the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working to inquire if they are accepting graduate students for the next academic year.

  Our faculty roster (evolutionary faculty and sociocultural faculty) indicates the geographic and topical specialties of each of our faculty members. Please read about the faculty in your area and identify those whose research closely matches your own interests.

  Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with potential advisors (major professors) prior to the application's deadline.

• Transcripts

• UC Davis requires academic records from each college-level institution you have attended. You may upload digital copies of your unofficial transcripts in the Academic History section of the application or after submitting your application using your Application Status Page.
  See Transcript Submission Requirements on the Graduate Studies website.

• Letters of Recommendation

• Three letters of recommendation are required; you may not submit more than three recommenders to contact. The university will contact recommenders with instructions for uploading their letters. We do not currently support document agencies such as Interfolio.

  Have more questions? See Letter of Recommendation FAQs on the Graduate Studies website.

• Statement of Purpose

• Describe your academic preparation, relevant experience, motivation for applying, research interests/intended focus of your studies, and professional goals as they relate to the Anthropology program and the chosen major field. 

  Academic preparation refers to educational background, practical learning, extracurricular activities, self-directed research, and academic accomplishments/qualifications that demonstrate your potential for success as a master’s or doctoral student in the graduate program

  Examples: related coursework, academic research and writing, fieldwork, internships, laboratory activities, scholarships/awards, independent study, presentations, publications, teaching, faculty or peer mentorship, studio projects, organizational membership, and study abroad. 

  Interests, specializations, and career goals may include your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization, and professional objectives.

  Alignment may include how your preparation, experiences, and interests match, specific faculty or resources and characteristics of the Anthropology program at UC Davis. Please include specific faculty within our graduate program with whom you would like to work and how your interests align with the identified faculty member/s.

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  The maximum permissible length of the statement of purpose is 4,000 characters, including spaces.

• Personal History Statement

• While the Statement of Purpose is primarily focused on academic preparation, research interests/concept, and alignment with the graduate program, the Personal Statement is an opportunity to share the unique background, experiences, perspectives, and abilities that you will bring to a graduate program.  

  Please describe how your background and life experiences shaped your academic and/or professional path and influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This may include formative experiences, environment, values, motivations, interactions, decisions, etc.

  We encourage you to consider these potential scenarios when developing your Personal Statement:

  -Commitment to overcoming significant obstacles despite economic disadvantage, challenging social environment, or    other specific experiences of hardship. 
  - Unique talents, abilities or skills relevant to personal growth.
  - Employment experiences, extracurricular activities, or community participation that inspired further education.
  - Evidence of growth, maturity and commitment to graduate study and/or a major field.

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  The maximum permissible length of the personal history statement is 4,000 characters, including spaces.

• CV and Writing Sample
• The online application requires you to upload:

   

  - Your CV (PDF file) 

   

  - one writing sample that demonstrates your scholarly interests and your present and potential level of achievement at the graduate level. While your submission may be on a topic other than Anthropology, it should showcase your ability to construct a clear argument, engage effectively with sources, and conduct research. Applicants with a master's degree may submit an excerpt of their thesis. It is strongly recommended that you edit and refine any previously written paper to strengthen its argument or improve its structure, even if it received a high grade, rather than submitting it without revision.

   

  Writing Sample- Submission Guidelines

  • Length: Up to 10 pages.
  • Format: Standard academic formatting (double-spaced, 11 or 12 pt font).
  • Examples: A seminar paper, a thesis chapter, or a published article of up to 10 pages (or an excerpt of that length).
  • Language: Please note that writing samples must be in English.
• Application Fee
• Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee ($135 for domestic applicants or $155 for international applicants) to be eligible for admission. The application fee is not refundable and must be paid before the application can be reviewed. Instructions for payment will appear when you submit your online application. 
  For more information on application fees and waivers, see Programs Eligible for Fee Waivers on the Graduate Studies website.
• International Applicants

• English language testing is required, not only for international students, but for all applicants whose native language or primary language of instruction is not English. UC Davis accepts TOEFL, Duolingo and IELTS examinations.

  Additional Resources:

  • English Language Examination requirements
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  • Application information for international applicants
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  • Services for International Students and Scholars