Anthropology

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Anthropology Degree

Bachelor of Arts, Minor

Program Type:

Major, Minor

Career Path:

Social Sciences

Program Site:

Department of Anthropology

College or School:

Undergraduate College

Why study Anthropology?

Anthropology majors study humankind, from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day. We ask questions fundamental to the 21st century: What does it mean to be human across radically different cultures and time periods? How do we design institutions, products, and policies that work for the people they serve? Why do health, social, and economic outcomes differ across communities?

At Wake Forest University, Anthropology majors study questions like these in close collaboration with faculty, often while doing research with them.

Students in anthropology also conduct research on museum collections and curate public exhibits at the Timothy S.Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology, the only museum in North Carolina dedicated to the study of global cultures.

The Anthropology degree is offered as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a minor.

What classes would I take?

Our model and curriculum educate the whole person and often help students discover interests they had never previously discovered. Students generally take 100-200 level courses during their first year of college, while registering for higher level courses as upperclassmen.

Sample courses* that you may take in Anthropology include:

100-200 level

Introduction to Archaeology
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Language, Culture, and Power: Linguistic Anthropology

300 level

Museum Anthropology
Language and Social Justice
Culture and Nature: Introduction to Environmental Anthropology
Human Osteology

View All Major Requirements

* Course availability and offerings can change at any time. Refer to the Academic Bulletin to view all major requirements.

What kind of experience will I gain?

The global, comparative focus of the Anthropology major builds expertise in research, intercultural communication, and complex systems analysis. By investigating human diversity across social contexts, our majors learn to translate data into actionable, ethical strategies—preparing them to lead in a global, interconnected world.

Students in this program will develop the following skills:

Employ anthropological and social theory in a range of professional and academic contexts
Conduct original, ethics-approved fieldwork and research
Demonstrate mastery across the four subfields of anthropology: cultural, biological, archaeological, and linguistic

Demonstrate high-level critical thinking skills
Write at an advanced academic and professional level
Present research with confidence to diverse audiences
Depending on their focus, develop advanced skills in laboratory methods, ethnographic fieldwork, or museum practice

Visit the Office of Personal and Career Development

Are there extracurricular activities?

Joining a club or organization is a great way to get involved and do more with your major. Our Anthropology students participate in the following programs:

What kind of job can I get?

Careers that often interest Anthropology majors, and fields our graduates work in, include:

Archaeologist
College professor
Corporate Ethnographer/UX researcher
Data scientist
Forensic investigator
Environmental consultant
Foreign service officer
Global health expert
Journalist
K-12 educator
Lawyer
Marketing executive
Medical researcher
Museum curator
NGO or foundation manager
Physician
Public health administrator
Public policy analyst

Careers enjoyed by recent Anthropology graduates include brand director of Benchwarmers Bagels; data analysts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; museum curators; and U.S. Army Special Forces officers.

Related Programs

Environment & Sustainability Studies

The Environment & Sustainability Studies program teaches students how to think across disciplinary boundaries to address environmental challenges and to act within their communities for environmental justice.

Environment & Sustainability Studies

Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (Minor)

The CHP minor provides focused preparation for graduate study and/or employment in museums; preservation, conservation, and other cultural non-profit organizations; and public cultural agencies.

Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (Minor)

Linguistics (Minor)

The linguistics minor supports the university’s mission by developing students’ analytical and critical thinking skills through the study of language, evidence evaluation, and the exploration of multiple perspectives.

Linguistics (Minor)