
Anthropology

The Anthropology Program at the Graduate Center engages the breadth of anthropological knowledge. Over 50 fulltime faculty members across the four subfields of the discipline (archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology and biological anthropology), augmented by a host of affiliated faculty from other institutions near and far, mentor more than 200 doctoral students of diverse backgrounds and interests.
Learn more about the programDegree Offered
Ph.D. in Anthropology
Full-time
4 subfields
Admissions Deadlines
December 1 for Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology and Linguistic Anthropology
December 15 for Biological Anthropology
(fall enrollment only/no spring enrollment)
Leveraging these resources with our central New York City location, distinguished faculty in related disciplines at the Graduate Center, and continually improving student fellowship support, the program has sustained a reputation for excellence, access and engaged scholarship.
Faculty publications have been honored with numerous prestigious awards, multiple alumni have won the MacArthur “Genius” Award, and our students receive grants and fellowships at consistently high rates. Two current faculty members have recently served as President of the American Anthropological Association and faculty and students regularly populate the offices of other professional organizations. Each year we offer an extensive array of public lectures across all the subfields of the discipline.
Few anthropology programs can boast the breadth of expertise, diversity of personnel, level of activity, height of scholarly achievement, degree of disciplinary leadership, and range of socio-political engagement that is our stock in trade.

Our Faculty
The Anthropology program at the Graduate Center draws its faculty from across the CUNY system. There are currently over 50 active, fulltime faculty members representing 10 different CUNY campuses, supported by a rich collection of emeritus professors, many of whom continue to participate substantively in student training, and a broad set of adjunct/affiliated faculty from a variety of prestigious institutions.
Faculty
Colloquium Series
Each semester, the Anthropology hosts a colloquium series that features esteemed anthropologists discussing different aspects of the field. See what's on the schedule for this semester!
Colloquium EventsAdmissions
We value diverse applicants with interesting political and intellectual backgrounds. Annually, we admit 13-15 anthropology students. New students study tuition-free for 5 years, plus many receive full stipends and research support.
Admissions and Aid
Visit Us
Visit our CUNY Commons site for additional information about our program or visit our offices at Room 6406.
CUNY Commons SiteAnthropology FYIs
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Winner of the 2020 Frank Bonilla Book Award: Ismael García-Colón
Colonial Migrants at the Heart of Empire: Puerto Rican Workers on U.S. Farms (Oakland: University of California Press, 2020). Read the announcement.
- Congratulations/Kudos
GC Anthropology Statement Against Police Violence and Anti-Black Racism
- Announcement
Recent News
Jul 5, 2022
Tracing the contributions of Black women educators in Cuba
An Anthropology grad moves on to the University of Pennsylvania.
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A Sense of Purpose Leads to the Tenure Track in Formative Education
An anthropology alum with wide-ranging interests about Islam, development, and education in Africa joins a new department at Boston College.
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Or visit us at Room 6406.