Anthropology

Overview

Anthropology is the study of humans and their cultural and physical environments.

Anthropology programs include topics such as:

Sociology
Human cultures
Ethnology
Prehistoric humans and primates
Human paleontology
Cultural studies
Research methodology

Some schools combine sociology and anthropology into a single bachelor's degree program.

In anthropology programs students take courses from different fields of study, including history, biology, psychology, and geology.

Internships

Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Many anthropology programs offer internships, sometimes on archeological digs, and can include travel to other countries.

Concentrations

In anthropology programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Archeology
Biological anthropology
Cultural anthropology
Medical anthropology
Folklore

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in anthropology. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Most colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in anthropology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in anthropology. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Advanced Biology courses
Advanced English Composition courses
Anatomy and Physiology
Anthropology
Geography
Sociology

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Writing sample

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Anthropological Theory
Archeological Methods
Biological Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
Human Origins
Linguistics
Primate Evolution
Survey of World Societies
World Prehistory

In addition, students take different anthropology courses depending on the kind of anthropologist they want to be. Some examples of courses are:

African People and Culture
Anthropology of Food
Anthropology of Religion
Asian People and Culture
Forensic Anthropology
Indians of North America
Medical Anthropology

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate study in anthropology typically includes:

Required courses
Fieldwork
Thesis (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

A degree in anthropology prepares you to use research skills and knowledge about different cultures to work for the government or for international agencies. You can also work for marketing companies, nonprofit groups, or museums.