CU Denver’s graduate program in Anthropology is a member of a regional consortium that automatically offers in-state tuition for students from 14 participating states even as they maintain their residency in their home state. This means that out-of-state students from participating states receive a ¾ discount, with a value of roughly $20,000 a year, on their tuition. Students with residency in the following states are eligible: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. To benefit from this discount, simply indicate in your application packet that you wish to take advantage of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) program
Merit-based Scholarships
Starting in 2018, the Graduate School at University of Colorado Denver will fund merit-based partial tuition scholarships to a limited number of graduate program applicants. Graduate Programs may submit nominations of student applicants to the Graduate School on the first business day of each month and will share award decisions by the end of that month.
Teaching Opportunities
The Department selects four promising students each year to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs) each year in introductory classes in Archaeology and Biological Anthropology. The faculty makes TA assignments each spring based on the requirements and procedures outlined below.
Minimum Requirements
- BA in Anthropology or related field
- Demonstrated academic achievement in student’s BA program and/or maintenance of satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree, including receiving an A or A- in all CU Denver Anthropology classes
- Excellent performance in Archaeology or Biological Anthropology classes, either within the MA program or in the student’s BA program.
Application Procedures
An indication of interest and qualifications for teaching assistantships should be included in the cover letter of the application materials.
Research Assistant Opportunities
The department works with the National Park Services, US Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies to create paid Internships/Research Assistant positions, according to agency need and funding.
Graduate Grants for Colorado Residents
Need-based financial aid is available to graduate students in the form of Colorado Graduate Grants through CU Denver's Financial Aid office. To be eligible for a graduate grant, students must:
- Be a Colorado resident
- Register for a minimum of four credit hours of coursework
- Have a Pell-grant-eligible estimated family contribution
- For more information, call the Financial Aid and Scholarship office: 303-315-1850
Travel Funds
Students are eligible for funds to defray the expenses of travel to conferences from three different sources: the department, the College, and the Graduate Education. Students are eligible for small research grants from the department.
The department has a fixed amount of funds it may distribute to graduate students each year. Graduate students who present papers at out-of-state conferences are eligible for department travel funds each academic year, subject to the availability of funds. The department also offers funds to help offset students’ research expenses for theses or student projects. The department has a set amount of funds it can spend on graduate students over their time in the program, and funds are only available each year until they run out. To apply, send an abstract of your presentation/thesis and a budget to the Graduate Program Director (Jamie Hodgkins).
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) also provides funds to further defray the cost of travel for students to present at conferences. Please fill out this form and return to Laura Argys (laura.argys@ucdenver.edu). CLAS requires that students apply for funds from the Graduate Education first, and that they present a letter of acceptance of their abstract. To apply from the Graduate Education, please use this form and return to GraduateEducation@ucdenver.edu.
Between these three funding sources, it is imparitive that you work with the Anthropology Department's Business Operations Coordinator (Sulastri Carr sulastri.carr@ucdenver.edu) to help you utilize these funding sources to travel and present with minimal stress.
Thesis Funds
The Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society offers a competitive grant opportunity for up to $2000 available for one graduate student in each subdiscipline to spend on thesis expenses. To qualify, graduate students must have been enrolled in the MA program for at least a year, have selected their thesis advisor and formed their thesis topic, and be members of Lambda Alpha. The department will nominate graduate students for this award; the deadline is March 15 of each year.