What Can I Do with My Anthropology BA/BS Degree?

Undoubtedly when some of you have mentioned to your parents that you are considering majoring in anthropology they look at you with a blank stare and ask “what kind of gainful employment you can get with a degree in that field?” In fact, with a little ingenuity and persistence there are many jobs open to students with a BA or BS degree in anthropology. In addition a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology can serve as a solid foundation for entering other fields: law, medicine, teaching, documentary film, international business, health-related jobs, museum work, environmental impact assessment, international development, public relations, historic preservation, journalism, and publishing.

If your interests are in archaeology, some of the best opportunities are in the areas of cultural resource management or “contract archaeology” either with private firms or the federal government. Some of our undergraduate majors have taken internships with local firms engaged in this work (like Wendy Lopez and Associates) and land jobs after graduation. Of most importance in preparing for this kind of work is our archeological field school (ANTH 5381, 5382 or 5681). If the opportunity arises you can also ask a faculty member to take you out into the field with him/her during one summer.

If your interests are in cultural anthropology, opportunities abound. In fact, a few years ago USA Today ran a story with the headline "Anthropology Major is Hot Asset". The story noted the usefulness of anthropology in the area of marketing because anthropologist's understand human needs, the cultural bases of social problems, and cross-cultural diversity. According to Marty Nemko, Motorola's pagers come in different colors, because an anthropologist found teenagers use pagers as fashion accessories; and Canon, after sending an anthropologist into people's homes and recording what was on families' refrigerator doors and bedroom walls, began to bundle greeting card software with its printers.
Students with training in cultural anthropology land jobs with social service agencies, with state and local government, with companies that engage in international business, with federal and international agencies such as NIH, US-AID, WHO, or the World Bank, and in museums. As you earn your degree you might want to continue studying a foreign language and acquire solid research skills (take a methods course such as ANTH 5344 and SOC 4311 and get some basic statistics STAT 2331). But most important, learn how to write well, to think critically about various issues, and to hone your people skills.

Finding a job is never easy. It requires persistence, creative thinking, and enthusiasm. But remember that anthropologists have something unique to offer and that is what you should market.

For more information, check out the comments and suggestions of the University of Texas Career Center.

Admissions
Anthropology is divided into four sub fields: 1) archaeology, 2) cultural/social anthropology, 3) anthropological linguistics, and 4) physical anthropology.  In addition to providing the basis for careers in the sub disciplines, anthropology provides a background for professional careers in teaching, research, international affairs, medicine, business or law.  A grade of C- or better must be earned in all courses taken in fulfillment of the requirements for the Anthropology major.  Majors must achieve a minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in Anthropology and are urged to consult their departmental adviser periodically to review their progress. To learn more about admissions, visit the Dedman College website.

Distribution

Many ANTH courses are acceptable for Perspectives 6. Many anthropology courses also fulfill the co-curricular requirements.

Requirements for the B. A. Degree
Intended for students who desire general training in anthropology within a liberal arts curriculum. Thirty term hours of anthropology are required, of which 21 must be advanced. Of the 30 hours, ANTH 2301  is required.  However, all candidates for the B. A. major must take at least three term hours in each sub field of anthropology (i.e., archaeology, cultural/social anthropology, anthropological linguistics, and physical anthropology).  To learn more about degree requirements, visit the Dedman College website.

Requirements for the B. S. Degree
Intended for students who wish more specialized training in anthropology, it provides a strong foundation for students intending to pursue a graduate degree. Thirty-six term hours of anthropology are required, of which 24 must be advanced. Of the 36 hours, the following courses are required: ANTH 2301, 2315, 2363, and either 4366 or 5334; six term hours of fieldwork-related study (generally 5381 or 5382 and 4333 or 5681); one of the following: 3361 or 5359; and either 4399 or three term hours of independent study (4191, 4192, 4291, 4292, or 4391, or 4392). In addition, three term hours of statistics (ANTH 3322 or equivalent, generally STAT 2331), and six term hours of foreign language are required.  To learn more about degree requirements, visit the Dedman College website.

The Departmental Distinction Program

This program is open to junior and senior anthropology majors with outstanding academic records. Graduation with departmental distinction is designated on the diploma of those who successfully complete the program. To earn departmental distinction, a student must:

1. Complete the usual course work for a B. A. or B. S. degree with at least a 3.50 G.P.A. in anthropology and with at least a 3.00 G.P.A. overall;
2. With a grade of B or higher, pass ANTH 4366 and ANTH 5334. One of these courses may be replaced by completing a substantial independent reading program for three term-hours on the history, conceptual foundations, or methodological problems of the discipline.  This substitution, however, must be approved in advance by the instructor of ANTH 5334 or ANTH 4366);
3. With a grade of A or A-, conduct a research project (for three term hours credit in ANTH 4391 or 4392); and complete a significant research paper that is a minimum of 20 pages of text, includes a bibliography, and is written in appropriate sub disciplinary professional style and format - this project must be supervised by a full-time, tenure-track department faculty member; and
4. Finally, pass an oral examination of one hour in length (with a committee of at least three full-time departmental faculty members), covering the results of the research project and general issues and concepts in anthropology according to the sub field specialty. The oral examination must be scheduled to take place before the last day of instruction in the semester in which the project is completed.

Eligible students will be admitted to the distinction track upon recommendation of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed to chair the distinction committee and oversee the student's research and writing. Students must complete the application for distinction and submit it to the Director of Undergraduate Studies by the end of the first week of the semester in which the student begins the distinction project. Eligible students will be admitted to the distinction track upon recommendation of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed to chair the distinction committee and oversee the student's research and writing.

The faculty advisor must approve the paper to be presented to the orals committee and copies of the paper must be delivered to members of the committee at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled oral examination date. A copy of the final paper must be filed with the Administrative Assistant in the Department of Anthropology.