Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Anthropology] From University of Utah

There are four subfields of anthropology. Cultural anthropology examines culture; biological anthropology studies biological variations in humans and non-human primates; archaeology studies ancient cultures and civilizations; evolutionary ecology examines species’ evolution and ecology to determine how humans and primates developed adaptations or behaviors. 

Anthropologists use these areas of emphasis to describe and explain human diversity, and the Anthropology Department at the U takes a theoretically-driven, empirically-informed approach to the field. The department has special expertise in archaeology, genetics, behavioral ecology, demography, hunter-gatherers, and evolutionary approaches to human and nonhuman primate behavior. Many faculty members’ research areas cross disciplinary and sub-disciplinary lines, and students are encouraged to do the same. Whether you pursue the major or the minor, Anthropology is an excellent program for those desiring a better understanding of the human biological and cultural experience through time and space. Optional emphases allow students to specialize in certain areas within the Anthropology Major.

The Student Experience

You can join the Anthropology Club to learn more about the field, meet like-minded students, and practice networking. If you have questions about the field of anthropology or the degree, the Anthropology Peer Mentor Program can answer them. Consider enriching your education with a study abroad program or field school: for example, students can travel to Tonga for an immersive research experience or attend archaeology or primate field schools to gain hands-on skills. Undergraduate research projects are also excellent opportunities for students to pursue individual interest areas and gain valuable research and analytical skills.

Career Opportunities

Anthropology will prepare you for a wide array of careers. With additional schooling in the field of anthropology, coupled with the research and field work experience you gained in your undergraduate career, students can become researchers, archaeologists, or professors. A degree in anthropology can also prepare you for an advanced degree in business, medicine, or law. Graduates of the program may pursue work in museums as curators or archivists, enter the nonprofit sector as grant writers or program managers, or become employed by the government as surveyors, urban planners, or policy analysts.