Anthropology

Anthropology is from the Greek anthropos (human) + logia (study). It is the science that studies human variation from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day. To an anthropologist, diversity itself – seen in body shapes and sizes, blood types, different kinds of languages, customs, clothing, religion and ideas about the world – provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life.

Archaeologists study the things humans created, used, and left behind to understand ancient societies and how they lived.

Biological anthropologists study our species and its close relatives, tracing their biological origins, development and genetic diversity to understand human evolutionary history.

Cultural anthropologists seek to describe how societies and their institutions are constituted to explain differences among them.

Graduates of the anthropology program receive broad training that enables them to pursue a wide range of exciting career options. This training includes courses in cultural and biological anthropology and archaeology, as well as numerous field and lab methods. Graduates may work in research, teaching, or administration, in industry, government, non-governmental organizations and many other private and public institutions. Below are just a few examples of the range of jobs that anthropology graduates carry out:

• Museum Curator and Technician
• Community Outreach Manager
• Social Science Analyst
• Conservation Manager
• Forensic Technician
• Human Resource Managers
• Urban and Regional Planner
• Social Service Worker
• Lobbyist
• Community Organizer
• Legislative Aides
• Research Assistant
• Counselor
• Teacher

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about anthropology and its career options, you can browse the following websites:

• American Anthropological Association
• American Association of Museums
• American Association of Physical Anthropologists
• American Cultural Resources Association
• American Society of Primatologists
• Anthropology Careers & Employment
• Archaeological Institute of America
• Central States Anthropological Society
• Midwest Archaeological Conference
• National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
• National Association of Student Anthropologists
• Paleoanthropology Society
• Register of Professional Archaeologists
• Society for American Archaeology
• Society for Applied Anthropology
• The Archaeology and CRM Professionals Resource
• The Leakey Foundation

• Complete Common Application
• Pay $100 non-refundable fee
• Submit official School transcripts
• Submit official test scores
• Submit letter of recommendation (optional)