Anthropology is a four-field, holistic, and comparative discipline dedicated to understanding humanity across time and space. The Anthropology BS encompasses past, present, and future perspectives on the human condition, within the subfields of socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. You will gain scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of human biological and cultural diversity through knowledge, skills, and perspectives that build cross-cultural awareness and increase your ability to identify your own assumptions.
As an Anthropology BS student, you will learn career-ready and practical skills, such as cultural relativity, critical thinking, communication and effective writing, and scientific methodologies that include hands-on, transferable, and applied skills like interviewing, focus groups, data analysis, and field and lab methods. The major emphasizes community engagement through ethical practices, Indigenous perspectives, and collaborations with local, regional, national, and international organizations. A required methods course and a wide variety of options for the experiential learning requirement will help you build your resume, find what you're passionate about, and gain real world experience with anthropological methods and concepts.
A degree in anthropology prepares you for a wide variety of human-centered careers in the public and private sectors in both national and international contexts. These opportunities include careers in archaeology, healthcare and public health, museums and heritage management, human resources, marketing, conservation, and non-profits. As an anthropology major, you are also well-placed to succeed in graduate and professional degree programs in a variety of fields.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | STA 270 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Optional |
| Study Abroad | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
Purpose Statement
Anthropology is a four-field, holistic, and comparative discipline dedicated to understanding humanity across time and space. The Anthropology BS encompasses past, present, and future perspectives on the human condition, within the subfields of socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students will gain scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of human biological and cultural diversity through knowledge, skills, and perspectives that build cross-cultural awareness and increase their ability to identify their own assumptions.
Anthropology BS students learn career-ready and practical skills, such as cultural relativity, critical thinking, communication and effective writing, and scientific methodologies that include hands-on, transferable, and applied skills like interviewing, focus groups, data analysis, and field and lab methods. We emphasize community engagement through ethical practices, Indigenous perspectives, and collaborations with local, regional, national, and international organizations. Required methods courses and a wide variety of options for the experiential learning requirement help students build their resume, find what they're passionate about, and gain real world experience with anthropological methods and concepts.
Degrees in anthropology prepare students for a wide variety of human-centered careers in the public and private sectors in both national and international contexts. These opportunities include careers in archaeology, healthcare and public health, museums and heritage management, human resources, marketing, conservation, and non-profits. Anthropology majors are also well-placed to succeed in graduate and professional degree programs in a variety of fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
This major requires 30 units.
Take the following 30 units:
The Anthropology BS requires 15 - 18 units of upper-division anthropology coursework. To complete requirements for a bachelor of science degree in this major, students must complete an additional 12 - 15 units of upper-division coursework selected from anthropology or other disciplines. A minimum of 18 units of upper-division credit must be completed at NAU.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.