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Why Major in Anthropology?
by Robyn Tellefsen
Anthropology is the study of the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. The four traditional subfields of anthropology include biophysical anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. Biophysical anthropologists research the evolution of the human body, analyzing how culture and biology influence one another. Sociocultural anthropologists study the customs, cultures, and social lives of groups in a variety of settings. Linguistic anthropologists investigate the role of and changes to language over time in various cultures. And archaeologists examine and recover material evidence from past human cultures in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
What will I learn in an anthropology degree program?
An anthropology degree will provide you with a holistic understanding of humans as biological, cultural, and linguistic beings, both in the present and the past. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of human cultural and physical diversity within a broad social, historical, and evolutionary framework.
Within your anthropology major, you may choose to specialize in archaeological method and theory, child rearing practices, culture and aging, human ecology, kinship and marriage, Native American people, old world prehistory, primatology, sex roles and family structure, or a host of other subdisciplines.
Regardless of your specialty, in an anthropology degree program you'll learn how to conduct field studies, write grant proposals, examine data and artifacts, recognize cultural similarities and differences, communicate across languages and cultures, and more.
What can I do with an anthropology major?
An anthropology major provides excellent preparation for careers that involve people skills and require an understanding of cultural differences--skills required for jobs in any industry. For jobs outside of academia, consider double-majoring or minoring in another field, such as education, politics, or public health, to increase employment opportunities. Most professional anthropology jobs do require an advanced degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anthropologists are expected to experience the majority of their job growth in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry. Anthropologists who work as consultants apply anthropological knowledge and methods to problems ranging from economic development issues to forensics.
How is the job market for anthropology majors?
The BLS projects employment of anthropologists to increase 15 percent between 2006 and 2016. In May 2006, anthropologists had median annual wage-and-salary earnings of $49,930. And, according to CareerBuilder.com, anthropologists are among the top 20 jobs with the highest salary growth, with a salary growth rate of 4.9 percent.
Explore anthropology degree programs today.
What will I learn in an anthropology degree program?
An anthropology degree will provide you with a holistic understanding of humans as biological, cultural, and linguistic beings, both in the present and the past. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of human cultural and physical diversity within a broad social, historical, and evolutionary framework.
Within your anthropology major, you may choose to specialize in archaeological method and theory, child rearing practices, culture and aging, human ecology, kinship and marriage, Native American people, old world prehistory, primatology, sex roles and family structure, or a host of other subdisciplines.
Regardless of your specialty, in an anthropology degree program you'll learn how to conduct field studies, write grant proposals, examine data and artifacts, recognize cultural similarities and differences, communicate across languages and cultures, and more.
What can I do with an anthropology major?
An anthropology major provides excellent preparation for careers that involve people skills and require an understanding of cultural differences--skills required for jobs in any industry. For jobs outside of academia, consider double-majoring or minoring in another field, such as education, politics, or public health, to increase employment opportunities. Most professional anthropology jobs do require an advanced degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anthropologists are expected to experience the majority of their job growth in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry. Anthropologists who work as consultants apply anthropological knowledge and methods to problems ranging from economic development issues to forensics.
How is the job market for anthropology majors?
The BLS projects employment of anthropologists to increase 15 percent between 2006 and 2016. In May 2006, anthropologists had median annual wage-and-salary earnings of $49,930. And, according to CareerBuilder.com, anthropologists are among the top 20 jobs with the highest salary growth, with a salary growth rate of 4.9 percent.
Explore anthropology degree programs today.
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