Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medical Anthropology and Global Health - Cross-Cultural Aging

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program includes specializations in medical anthropology and global health, cross-cultural aging, and sociocultural anthropology. It requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. PhD students will work with their doctoral advisor and faculty committee to determine prior to completing candidacy exams what foreign language, if any, is needed to successfully complete the PhD. If language competency is required, the language requirement can be met by a demonstration of competency either in a relevant written language or in an oral field language. The advisor, in consultation with the committee, will determine the level of competency needed and by what means language proficiency will be certified. Certification of competency must occur prior to the dissertation defense. Medical Anthropology and Global Health Program The objective of the Medical Anthropology and Global Health Program is to train medical anthropologists, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals (1) to recognize and deal with, on both theoretical and practical levels, the complex relations between the biological, social, cultural, psychological, economic, and techno-environmental determinants and concomitants of sickness and health in both local and global settings; and (2) to analyze and evaluate how health services are organized and delivered. Within the Medical Anthropology and Global Health Program, students may choose to specialize in medical anthropology, cross-cultural aging, international health, urban health, or psychological anthropology. Cross-Cultural Aging The cross-cultural aging specialization focuses on the processes of aging and the circumstances of older people throughout the world. Particular attention is given to the impact of social, cultural, economic, political, and demographic variables on the experience of aging. All MA students in the cross-cultural aging specialization must complete 27 credit hours, including the medical anthropology core courses, an approved statistics course, and 12 credit hours of electives approved by the advisor. At the PhD level, students specializing in cross-cultural aging must develop a program with their advisor to meet all PhD requirements. Other Specializations Students interested in a graduate degree in social-cultural anthropology should contact the department about requirements.