About This Degree

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 USU’s 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.

Locations

Location Restrictions

To view all degrees and programs available at USU, visit Degree Finder. Please note, not all degrees and programs are available at every location. We recommend searching by location unless you intend on relocating. Contact a Statewide Campuses advisor to verify program availability in your area.

View Potential Careers

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, women's 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.)

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

Course Listing (University Catalog)

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