Fields of Study » Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity, including but not limited to the study of ancient and/or modern human culture. Specializations and subfields in anthropological studies include cultural, biological, physical, and medical anthropology. Each of these subfields focuses on a different aspect of human population and culture throughout time. A degree in anthropology involves significant research that can range from the study of small scale ancient tribes to large, complex modern societies.
Undergraduate: Students pursuing an undergraduate program in anthropology may receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Anthropology. Both the BA and BS degrees provide well-rounded academic programs, including general education course requirements in social science and humanities for the BA degree and hard or natural sciences for the BS degree. A sample of courses available at the undergraduate level includes Introduction to Archaeology, Primate Behavior, Field Methods, Religion and Culture, Human Origins, Old World Prehistory, and People and Cultures of Africa, Asia, etc.
Graduate: Students pursuing a graduate program in anthropology may earn a Master of Art, Master of Science (MS), or a Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology. Degree titles vary by institution and academic program. Graduate students in anthropology usually will choose among a variety of degree concentrations in the field of anthropology such as physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, sociolinguistics, cultural anthropology, social anthropology, psychological anthropology, forensic anthropology, and paleoanthropology. A sample of courses available at the graduate level includes Culture and Society, Ethnography, Anthropology and Development, Political Anthropology, Gender Studies in Anthropology, Archaeological Sites and Studies, Forensic Anthropology, Culture and Personality, etc.
Occupations in Anthropology:
With a degree in anthropology consider your professional opportunities as a museum curator, field archaeologist, professor, archivist, genetic counselor, environmental impact assessment researcher, travel consultant, social worker, and others.
Choosing an Anthropology Program:
If you are considering continuing your education in this field, you should become familiar with academic trends and current development. Utilize current literature and consider the existing research of professors in matching your academic and careergoals with the right institutions for you. EducationUSA Centers provide advising services and a diverse collection of materials to assist students searching for schools and financial aid program. To find the nearest EducationUSA Advising Center, visit www.educationusa.info/centers.php.
There is no professional or programmatic accrediting organization for academic programs in anthropology, however, be sure to research all recognized regionally accredited programs at www.chea.org.
Associations and organizations affiliated with the study of Anthropology:
- American Anthropological Association, www.aaanet.org
- Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, www.wennergren.org
- American Association of Physical Anthropologists, www.physanth.org
- National Association for the Practice of Anthropology, www.practicinganthropology.org
- The Society for Applied Anthropology, www.sfaa.net
Scholarly Journals related to the study of Anthropology: Annual Reviews in Anthropology, Culture and Society: A Reader in Linguistics and Anthropology, Current Anthropology, National Anthropological Archives, andComparative Studies in Society and History.
Undergraduate Program Search Print and Online Resources:
- College Board www.collegeboard.com
- Search for schools with the College Board’s online, “College Matchmaker.”
- Read about specific majors and careers using the “Major and Career Profiles” search www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/
Graduate Program Search Print and Online Resources
- Petersons www.petersons.com
- Peterson’s Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Book # 2
Find scholarships to study Anthropology:
- EducationUSA Financial Aid links, www.educationusa.info/pages/students/finance.php
- Funding U.S. Study, www.fundingusstudy.org
- Peterson’s Scholarship Directory, www.petersons.com
- Wenner-Gren Foundation Fellowships, www.wennergren.org
- Population Council Fellowships, www.popcouncil.org
