Understand the pathways of human life in the world.
In the UW Department of Anthropology, students critically engage with fundamental issues concerning how humans inhabit the world. Our undergraduate and graduate programs are structured around the field’s traditional subdisciplines: archaeology, biological anthropology and sociocultural anthropology. Students have access to cutting-edge laboratories, field schools in the U.S. and abroad, campus collaborations and community partnerships. The department’s faculty have been recognized with awards and grants from organizations such as the Guggenheim Foundation, the World Health Organization and the Ford Foundation.
Undergraduate Programs
- B.A., Anthropology
- B.A., Anthropology of Globalization
- B.A., Archaeological Sciences
- B.A., Human Evolutionary Biology
- B.A., Indigenous Archaeology
- B.A., Medical Anthropology and Global Health
- B.S., Anthropology
- B.S., Archaeological Sciences
- B.S., Human Evolutionary Biology
- B.S., Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Careers
Because anthropology is an expansive field, a degree in anthropology prepares students for a broad range of careers. Alumni work in health care, education, the nonprofit sector, business and government. The skills our students develop — understanding human relationships and communicating effectively across diverse cultures — apply to global leadership roles across multiple disciplines.
Career Paths
A degree in anthropology can lead to a career as a(n):
- Anthropologist
- Market researcher
- Archaeologist
- Curator
- Global health specialist
- Educator
- Ethnographer
- Forensic scientist
- Attorney
- Social worker
- Health care professional
- Museum professional
- Community organizer
Expand your horizons with study abroad and fieldwork.
UW Department of Anthropology students have many opportunities to conduct research and interact with diverse populations nationally and internationally, including university exchanges, field schools and affiliated programs and month-long Exploration Seminars. Recent seminars include “Discovering Ancient Mediterranean Spain: Landscape Archeology in Mallorca;” “SAFS American Samoa: Present-day and Ancient Connections Between Island Societies and Local Ecosystems;” and “Anthropology Rome: The Culture and Politics of Food in Italy.”
Find Yourself in Anthropology
Make sense of the world. Uncover new ways to transform society.
Department of Anthropology Stories
Four Dean's Medalists, Working Toward Change
The four new graduates honored as College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Medalists for 2023 are all working to improve our world, in different ways.
In Ukraine, Language is Political
Ukraine's national language is Ukrainian, but many citizens grew up speaking Russian. Does that matter? Professor Laada Bilaniuk studies language and Ukrainian identity.
Honoring Sam Dubal's Vision
A new graduate fellowship in memory of anthropology professor Sam Dubal reflects his commitment to building an anti-racist society.