Students participating in an archaeological dig at the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany, NY.

Bachelor of Arts in
Anthropology

Program of Study

programofstudy

The BA in Anthropology program features four subfields covering archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. The electives that are offered will help you to focus your passions within a subfield in areas like ancient languages, symbology, physiology, religion, and native cultures. A faculty advisor will guide you to tailor your curriculum to your career goals.

A minimum of 36 credits in anthropology are required, including:

  • Archaeology
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Introduction to Human Evolution
  • Introduction to Linguistics
  • Senior Seminar in Anthropology
  • 21 additional credits in anthropology at the 300 level or above

Applied Learning

You can earn credits toward your degree through internships and​ independent studies in faculty labs, field research projects and courses,​ as well as opportunities at the New York State Museum and other local agencies. 


Honors Program

Outstanding anthropology students are encouraged to consider the department’s honors program, which gives you the opportunity to work closely with members of the faculty on research and writing projects.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. 

Combine your Anthropology degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

UAlbany graduate at Commencement
combined

Career Outcomes

With a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, you will gain a unique understanding of human cultural diversity through the global past and ​in today’s world. This knowledge and the analytical skills and methods secured in your training will prepare you for public and private sector careers.​

Potential job titles for a BA in Anthropology include: ​

  • Biological Anthropologist​
  • Demographer (historical and modern populations)​
  • Preservationist (environmental, cultural or endangered languages)​
  • Public Educator​
  • Speech Pathologist​
  • Archaeologist​
  • Medical Anthropologist​
  • Spatial/Social Analyst​
  • Museum Curator​
  • International Marketing Strategist​
  • International Policy Analyst​
  • Social Justice Analyst and Advocate​
  • Human Resources Management​
  • Journalist or Documentarian​
  • Medical Practitioner​
  • Lawyer​​

 

 

A UAlbany anthropology student working on an archaeological dig site.
careers
Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
  • Acquire Increased awareness and understanding of human biological, linguistic and cultural diversity.
  • Understand principles, assumptions, terminology of human evolutionary studies, human fossil record, primate anatomy/ behavior, evolutionary forces/ bio. bases of human behaviors, scientific method applied to human past.
  • Understand principles, assumptions, terminology used in major sub-areas of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, acquisition and socio-linguistics.
  • Acquire ability to perform written anthropological analysis of a particular topic.
  • Understand basic assumptions, principles, terminology, and methods of cultural anthropology, (culture, holism, ethnographic fieldwork, comparative method in ethnology).
  • Understand methods and approaches of archaeological study of past societies, and data for outlines of world prehistory.
  • Gain an understanding of what is a four-field approach to anthropology.
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

A student abroad visiting a monument.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies