Doctorate in Philosophy Anthropology

The doctoral program in Anthropology at the University of Ottawa features innovative training that brings together the existing strengths of anthropology (field work, ethnography, international experience, and multidisciplinarity) with a contemporary theoretical approach to the study of anthropology. Moreover, the doctoral program features a new curriculum that includes a professional development seminar and a comprehensive exercise that favours the integration of doctoral candidates into the labour market.

In a rapidly evolving social and environmental context, anthropology brings new critical perspectives to the problems and challenges of the contemporary world by highlighting the links between local problems and global issues. The method of inquiry grounded in field work, ethnography, allows the researcher to document in real time the complexity of phenomena all the while situating various themes, including medicine, the environment, new media, the city, politics, the economy and Indigeneity in diverse social and cultural contexts.

The School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies offers the doctoral program (Ph.D.) in Anthropology. This program is offered full time in French and in English. That being said, the three required doctoral seminars are offered only in French.

In accordance with University policy, assignments, exams, major research papers and theses can be written in French or in English.

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be admitted to the doctoral program in Anthropology, candidates should have a master’s in Anthropology (or equivalent) and have obtained a minimum GPA of 75 per cent (B+), which is calculated according to the guidelines of the University of Ottawa. A student who has a master’s degree with the minimum GPA but in a related field can also be considered for admission. The student may be required to enrol in some master’s courses in addition to their doctoral program requirements. The exact number of courses will be determined by the Graduate Studies Committee in Anthropology after review of the student’s file.

Admission to the program is dependent on the agreement of thesis supervision by a professor or professors who specializes in the student’s main field of interest. An application must include, in addition to transcripts and letters of recommendation, a letter that identifies: 1) the field of research; 2) the specific research theme that will guide the thesis; 3) the student’s linguistic competency (French and English) 4) agreement of thesis supervision by a professor. (Please note that the two required doctoral seminars are offered only in French.) The candidate should also include a one to five-page statement of their proposed doctoral research.

Students require sufficient competency in French in order to actively participate in three required courses offered only in French, and must be able to read texts in both French and English. Students must be able to engage in discussions and participate actively in French. Students who choose to take their remaining courses in English must be able to engage in discussions and participate actively in English. The School reserves the right to require students to take a language proficiency test.