Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Anthropology

Program Overview

The PhD program in the Department of Anthropology focuses on Medical Anthropology and Global Health. The objective of the program is to train students (1) to recognize and address, 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. Students may receive a Certificate in Global Health in conjunction with their anthropology degree.

The Department of Anthropology at Case Western Reserve University is a pioneer in the field of medical anthropology. The CWRU program in Medical Anthropology and Global Health prepares students to meet the challenges of a globalized world by providing training in anthropological theory and methods encompassing multiple approaches to the study of health and illness. Through a combination of classroom learning and experiential field research, qualified students are prepared for a career in anthropology and global health in a diverse array of settings, including academia, government, international agencies, health facilities, community organizations or in the policy realm.

This unique program provides students with advanced training on issues such as:

• the complex relationships between culture, society and health/illness
• cultural sensitivity and cultural competence in health research and patient care
• global health, lifespan perspectives, health disparities
• ethnomedicine, ethnopsychiatry, and evolutionary medicine
• research designs, qualitative/quantitative methods, practical training in qualitative interviews, basic and applied health research

The faculty in the Department of Anthropology are leading researchers in such areas as illegal drug use, child well-being, HIV, the culture of science, reproductive health, and other areas in the forefront of contemporary health challenges. The faculty work across the globe, conducting competitively funded research in pursuit of important research questions. Anthropology graduate students have the unique opportunity to work with these world-class researchers as they design and conduct their own dissertation research.

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

All PhD students in medical anthropology are required to complete the PhD requirements. Students develop a specific plan of study, requiring a minimum of 36 credit hours, in consultation with their advisor.

• Students must take an approved statistics course (3 credits) and earn a grade of C or better if this requirement has not been fulfilled at the MA level.
• Students must take ANTH 504 Anthropological Research Design.
• Students must complete two approved seminars (500 level). Students may not count either  ANTH 504 or ANTH 599 towards this requirement.
• Students may not take more than six total credit hours of ANTH 599 Tutorial: Advanced Studies in Anthropology.
• Students must take 18 credit hours in dissertation (ANTH 701) after completing a candidacy examination.

After completing course requirements, a student must take the written Doctor of Philosophy candidacy examination. This examination consists of two topical exams and a dissertation prospectus. The examination is designed and evaluated by the doctoral committee.

PhD students 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.

Dual Degree Options

• Anthropology, PhD/Medicine, MD
• Anthropology, PhD/Public Health, MPH