Anthropology

Students who choose to major in anthropology receive training in the core subfields of the discipline and choose from a variety of topics that allow for greater specialization. Members of our faculty have conducted extended research in Africa, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and the United States, and they are dedicated to bringing their real-world experiences into the classroom. Faculty members devote much attention to students, and our majors have many opportunities to work closely with their professors.

To earn a B.A. in Anthropology, students take at least 11 courses in anthropology for a total of 33 semester credit hours, including introductory courses in cultural, biological, and archaeological anthropology.  They work with an advisor from the anthropology program to select from a flexible range of courses that best suit their interests and the University's requirements for graduation.

Because anthropology has applications to and connections with so many other disciplines, students are encouraged to plan their program of study to include courses from biology, geological sciences, geography, history, sociology, and psychology. They are also encouraged to take courses from other academic programs in which anthropology faculty members participate, such as Global Studies, Classics and World Religions, Women's Studies, War and Peace Studies, and Environmental Studies.

The Anthropology Program offers other advantages to its majors:

• Ohio University's Field School of Archaeology gives students the chance to receive hands-on experience in current archaeological techniques and laboratory analysis of archaeological material in a field school taught by Ohio University anthropology faculty. In addition, the biological anthropology laboratory gives students hands-on experience through its extensive skeletal collection. 
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• Ohio University funds competitive grants for undergraduate research projects and holds an annual research symposium which enables students to present their work to the university community.
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• Ohio University's Office of Global Opportunities serves a growing number of students who are choosing to travel and study outside of the U.S., offering traditional semester and summer programs, internship placements, volunteer projects and faculty-led programs to over 30 destinations worldwide.  The Anthropology Program offers a special Spring Break Study Abroad course tailored for its majors on Human rights law, and justice in Northern Ireland.
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Freshmen will be admitted to the College on a selective basis. Normally, you will need to be in the top 20 percent of your high school class, with a strong college preparatory curriculum. You are expected to have above-average GPA (3.0 or better) and also have demonstrated leadership potential through participation in extracurricular activities or work experience. Members of groups that are historically underrepresented in business will receive special consideration.

• Provide a recent TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score. See minimum requirements below. IELTS reports should be sent directly from the testing agency. TOEFL results should be sent electronically directly from the testing agency (school code 1593). Duolingo English Test results can be shared online with Ohio University once your test has been certified.

  English Proficiency Minimum Score Requirements
  TOEFL Paper: 520 (composition score of 5)
  TOEFL Internet (IBT): 68 (writing subscore of 17)
  IELTS: 6.0 (no sub-score below 5.5)
  Duolingo English Test: 95

• Complete at least three years in a high school in an English-speaking system, including three years of high school English (not ESL) courses with a grade of B or better.

• Submit an ACT composite score of 21 with 21 ACT English and 21 ACT Reading subscores.

• Submit a 1060 SAT Total with 540 SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subscore.

• Have completed the equivalent of Ohio University's English 1510: Writing and Rhetoric I (Freshman Composition) with a grade of C or better. Course equivalency will be determined during the application process.

The wide-ranging positions held by graduates with an anthropology degree reflects the diversity of anthropology as a field.  Ohio University anthropology students have been accepted into top graduate schools in anthropology, social work, forensics, history, education and other related fields.  Others have gone on to pursue professional schooling in medicine and law.  Many students have received fellowships or research assistantships due to their Ohio University undergraduate research experiences.  They have also entered governmental agencies, including the Peace Corps, AMERICORPS, VISTA, parks service and NEH.  Students in cultural anthropology often obtain positions in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on U.S. or international development, and in the human resource departments of institutions and corporations.  Archaeology students are employed in cultural resource management (CRM) firms, historical preservation offices, contract archaeology businesses, and museums.  Students in biological anthropology have graduated with positions in forensics labs, zoos, primate centers, and medical laboratories.  Some anthropology students pursue graduate degrees and are employed by institutions of higher education.

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• Application form
• USD $70 international application processing fee
• Academic records from every secondary/post-secondary institution you have attended, with a certified or attested translation if the original document is not in English. Unofficial academic records may be submitted via email to [email protected] to receive an admissions decision. Official academic records must be provided upon arrival to campus, before the first day of classes, or sent by mail in envelopes sealed and stamped by one of the following:
  • Your school or university
  • Ministry of Education of your home country
  • EducationUSA or related binational organization
    
    Please note: We cannot accept scanned or faxed copies as official results. ​​​​​​​​Official academic records must be submitted by mail, as previously noted, to:
    
    Undergraduate Admissions
    Chubb Hall 120
    1 Ohio University
    Athens OH 45701 - USA
• Official proof of English proficiency, if available. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exams should be taken within the last 12 months.
• Proof of citizenship: a copy of your passport information page.
• Evidence of sufficient funding to support your educational and living expenses for a 9-month period. Learn more about the necessary amount on our Costs & Aid page. Your financial documentation must include:
  • A letter from your sponsor confirming the amount of funding that will be provided and stating your relationship to the sponsor (a PDF sample sponsor form is available but not required) and a letter or statement from your sponsor's bank confirming that the funding is available in an accessible account. The name on the bank document must match the sponsor letter and must be written in English.
  • If you will receive a government or other external scholarship, please provide proof of nomination of the award with your application packet.
• Optional materials can be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions via postal mail or by emailing [email protected]. Optional materials may include:
  • Standardized test scores, if applicable. Ohio University has adopted a test-optional pathway for freshman applicants to the Athens campus. If you choose to submit standardized test scores, they must be submitted directly from the testing agency: SAT (school code 1593) or ACT (school code 3314). Ohio University considers the Evidenced-based Reading and Writing scores from the SAT.
  • Essays
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Lists of extra-curricular interests and activities