Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of all cultures across time and space. Through comparative studies, anthropologists determine how people of the world are similar and different. They engage in issues relating to modern society, such as health care, human rights, law, urban development, and global population. The program focuses on the subdiscipline areas of cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology.

Students studying anthropology at Utah State University are prepared for careers in numerous fields through the skills and knowledge they gain in both the liberal arts and natural sciences. Graduates of USUs anthropology program are in-depth thinkers with effective reading and writing skills and the ability to solve problems across the humanities and natural sciences.

The program is cross-disciplinary and gives students the chance to participate in state-of-art research and hands-on learning through high-tech labs and real-world fieldwork experience. Class sizes are generally small, which enables students to receive extensive individualized attention. Designed to give students a full range of experience, this unique program helps undergraduates gain skills and expertise usually available to graduate students.

A museum studies certificate is also available and is a popular choice for anthropology majors who are interested in developing the skills needed for various careers in museums.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Bachelor Degree Minimum Requirements

Admission to USU is test optional for Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and Fall 2022. ACT/SAT test scores will still be considered if submitted.

• 2.8-4.0 GPA - Admitted in Good Standing
  • Students with less than a 2.8 high school GPA may still be admitted in good standing based upon the combination of their GPA and ACT/SAT score. See if you qualify.
• 2.79 GPA & below - Considered for Earned Admission path.

Associate Degree Minimum Requirements

Most USU Eastern and USU Blanding Associates Degrees and Certificates are open enrollment and do not require a minimum high school GPA or ACT/SAT score.

Recommended High School Prep Work

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math (One class beyond math 3)
• 3.5 years of Social Science
• 3 years of Lab-Based Science (one each: biology, chemistry, and physics)
• 2 years of a world language (same language, taken progressively during grades 9-12)

Students who graduate with a degree in anthropology typically go on to attend graduate programs in a variety of areas, such as anthropology, archaeology, other social sciences, law school, medical school, and more, or pursue careers in the following fields:

• Archaeology (preservation, cultural resource management, research)
• Behavioral science (teaching, human services, administration, community relations, program development, research, human resources, case management, counselor, etc.)
• Bilingual education (teaching, program and community development, advocacy, politics, planning, etc.)
• Business (Management, marketing, personnel (human resources), diversity training, cultural brokerage, international business, etc.)  
• Community organization (program and community development, advocacy, politics, education, planning, etc.)
• Consulting (counseling, case management, developmental programming and education, public policy, etc.)
• Data Analyst (statistical, geographic data or laboratory analyst, etc.)
• Environmental impact assessment (advocacy/intervention, counseling, case management, programming, education, public policy, etc.)
• Ethnic, cultural, environmental, womens and various nonprofit organizations (administration and planning, evaluation, policy, advocacy, etc.)
• Government (federal/state/local/tribal in the cultural or environmental resource management, policy, research or working in parks or historic sites, etc.)
• Fund-raising (administration and planning, writer, education, assistant, accounting, etc.)
• Journalism and publishing (communications specialization, scientific and creative writing, news casting, freelance work, etc.)
• Law (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, politics, education, planning, etc.)
• Linguistics, translation and interpretation (federal/state/local/tribal administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, politics, education, planning, etc.)
• Media (marketing, film making (documentary, photography, freelance work, etc.))
• Medical and health-related jobs (international/federal/state/local/tribal medical work, such as the world health organization (WHO), doctor, nurse, laboratory technician, genetics counselor, disease outbreak control, therapy,etc.)
• Museums, libraries, archives and art galleries (administration and planning, restoration, critic, curator, education, assistant, accountant, etc.)
• Peace Corps and humanitarian aid (counseling, education, wellness promotion, employee assistance, organizational development, human resources, labor unions, health maintenance organizations, etc.)
• International diplomacy (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, politics, education, planning, etc.)
• Police work and forensics (Criminal Investigative Services (CIS), medical examining, artist, etc.)
• Public relations and administration (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, etc.)
• Refugee and immigrant services or foreign service and aid agency (counseling, education, wellness promotion, employee assistance, organizational development, human resources, labor unions, health maintenance organizations, etc.)
• Rural, urban, national and international development agencies (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, etc.)
• Scholarship and research (social and environmental science research, etc.)
• Social impact assessment (case management, programming, public policy, advocacy/intervention, education, etc.) 
• Social Service agencies (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, public interest/advocacy groups, adoption, politics, education, planning, therapy, probation, parole, etc.)
• Teaching (K-12, college, adult education, etc.)
• Travel (guide, ethnographic work, etc.)
• Zoos (primatology, education, advocacy, programming, zoology, etc.)

Career Services provides counseling and information on hundreds of job and internship opportunities and even helps students apply and interview.