 He then went on further his graduate studies at Stanford University, obtaining his Ph.D from the Department of Anthropology there in 1980.During his time at Stanford, Hassig's research agenda shifted to focus on the cultures of Mesoamerica, where he investigated the economic and political foundations of pre- and post-conquest societies.Among the first of his studies was directed towards the underpinnings of the pre-Columbian Tarascan state.