Most universities do not offer an actual Ph.D. in Forensic Anthropology. Rather, they offer a Ph.D. in Anthropology with the option for the graduate student to focus in the area of forensics. If you want to become a forensic anthropologist, the first step would be to learn about anthropology in general during your Bachelor's degree, be it cultural, archaeological, or biological. Coursework in genetics, chemistry, physics, and statistics may also be helpful. At the MA level, you still do not need to delve deep into forensic anthropology. The study of osteology and skeletal biology as a whole will be sufficient preparation.
Along with all of the course offerings of a major university Anthropology department, UT Knoxville has its own Forensic Anthropology Center. Founded in 1971 by Dr. William M. Bass, the Center provides human identification services to various state, local, and national law enforcement agencies and county medical examiners. The Center gives graduate students ample opportunity to do field work in Forensic Anthropology as well as initiate and conduct research for conference presentation and publication.
Ph.D. candidates at UF Gainesville may concentrate in biological anthropology with a sub-specialization of Forensic Anthropology. This course of study includes coursework in biostatistics, zooarchaeology, osteology, and genetics. The department emphasizes a "hands-on" approach to its subject with a working forensic laboratory. The laboratory provides forensic services to the State of Florida and encourages involvement of graduate students in its work. Activities include search and recovery of human remains at clandestine sites, trauma analysis, and video superimposition techniques. Students also intern at the District 8 Medical Examiner's Offices in Gainesville to help assist in death investigations.
WSU offers graduate degrees in anthropology and cooperates with the Kansas Criminal Justice department in running a Forensic Certificate program. The university maintains a comparative skeletal collection of cadaver specimens and forensic cases that numbers about 100. WSU also has receives about 6-12 new specimens annually from the government.