General Information
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Anthropology includes subspecializations in medical anthropology, international health, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural aging, human biology/physical anthropology, and socio-cultural anthropology.
There are five consecutive steps in attaining a Ph.D. in Anthropology at Case.
1. Admission to the Ph.D. program
2. Completion of Ph.D. classwork
3. Advancement to candidacy
4. Completion of Ph.D. dissertation prospectus
5. Completion of the Ph.D. dissertation
Each of these steps is described in detail below.
1. Admission to the Ph.D. Program
For the student who is enrolled in the M.A. program in Anthropology at Case to be admitted to the Ph.D. program, he or she must pass the written M.A. examination with a score of "High Pass" and maintain a minimum cumulative average of 3.5 in the core courses.
Students coming to the Ph.D. program with a graduate degree in anthropology from outside the Department of Anthropology are required to take the written M.A. examination for their specific field of study and to pass it with a score of "High Pass."
They are also expected to take the M.A. core curriculum and the required statistics course. Some of the course requirements may be waived if the student has taken similar courses at another institution and can demonstrate competency in the subject.
Students already holding an M.A. degree in anthropology may apply all credits taken at Case before completing the comprehensive M.A. examination towards the Ph.D. degree with the approval of their Ph.D. Committee.
Students entering the program with a graduate degree in a subject other than anthropology are expected to score "High Pass" on the comprehensive exam, take the M.A. core curriculum and obtain a 3.5 average in these courses, and meet the statistics requirement. These credits do not apply towards the Ph.D. degree but all other credits taken by students may be applied towards the Ph.D. degree if approved by the student's Ph.D. Committee.
2. Completion of Ph.D. Classwork
When admitted to the Ph.D. program, the student is expected to choose a Ph.D. advisory committee according to the Department and University regulations. The student, with the help of the advisory committee, is expected to develop a program of study for Ph.D. coursework and candidacy exams. Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must complete 18 hours of Ph.D. coursework.
All Ph.D. students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative average of 3.0 ("B") in order to qualify for the Ph.D. degree.
3. Advancement to Candidacy
After completing course requirements students take the written Ph.D. candidacy examination.
This examination is divided into three parts, reflecting three fields of concentration. These fields of concentration are selected by the student in consultation with the Ph.D. advisory committee. These fields should reflect the student's primary research interests in the field. Each examination covers one field of concentration and is weighted equally.
Successful completion of the above requirements, including passing all three Ph.D. examinations, will constitute advancement to candidacy.
4. Completion of the Ph.D. Dissertation Prospectus
Each student must prepare a dissertation prospectus describing their dissertation research.
Within one semester of successfully completing the written Ph.D. candidacy examinations, prior to beginning dissertation research, the student is required to defend her dissertation prospectus before their Ph.D. advisory committee and other members of the academic community.
The defense must be publicly posted at least two weeks in advance of its scheduled time.
5. Completion of the Ph.D. Dissertation
Ph.D. candidates are required to complete 18 credit hours of dissertation credit (ANTH 701). Students should refer to the Graduate School regulations regarding enrollment in ANTH 701.
Before a candidate is permitted to defend his or her dissertation, he or she must demonstrate a reading knowledge in a foreign language in which there is scholarly literature relevant to his or her program studies. A foreign-born student may substitute his or her native language (if it is not English), if it meets the above conditions.
The language requirement is met by passing a language examination (GRE or examination set by the relevant language department at Case in consultation with the student's dissertation committee chair and the Department Chair) or passing a 300 level course in the selected language with a grade of B or better (taken within four years of admission to the Case graduate school).
The student's dissertation represents original research of a theoretical and empirical nature. It must demonstrate a sound knowledge of problem formulation and research methodology and the ability to evaluate facts and relate them to the existing body of knowledge.
The dissertation must be composed in a language which meets the standards required for publication in scholarly journals. Regulations governing the form and time of submission should be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies well in advance of the final completion of the dissertation.
The final dissertation draft will be evaluated by the student's dissertation committee. This committee generally has the same anthropology faculty members as did the advisory committee. In addition, it includes at least one faculty member from outside the Department of Anthropology.
When the dissertation has been judged, the student is required to defend it before the dissertation committee and other members of the academic community. Notice of the dissertation defense must be posted publicly at least two weeks prior to the defense. The defense must take place at least one month prior to the date on which the Ph.D. is to be conferred.
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