What is an anthropology degree?

An anthropology degree signifies the completion of a college program in which students study human evolution, biology, culture, behavior and societies from the past to the present. Students pursuing an anthropology degree at the undergraduate level take four years on average to finish their programs, and many who wish to work as anthropologists continue their education at the master’s or doctoral level.Anthropology can have wide applications in diverse fields. Since it’s a social science, students who study anthropology learn important skills related to research, critical thinking and analysis, along with key concepts in human biology, psychology, history and social behavior. There are four primary subfields in anthropology. Undergraduate students may take coursework related to each of these fields, or they might specialize in one subject depending on the requirements of their program. Here are the four subfields of anthropology:

• Archeology: Archeology is the study of human activity through the excavation and investigation of material remains. They explore grave sites to study the architecture of buildings and identify artifacts like pottery, jewelry and other personal items from human history and prehistory.
• Biological anthropology: A biological anthropologist studies human evolution, including how human brains and bodies changed over time to adapt to their environments. These scientists might work with fossils, study primates or research how human DNA has changed throughout history.
• Linguistic anthropology: Linguistic anthropology is the study of human communication, including verbal, written and nonverbal communication. Anthropologists in this discipline study how different communication styles and languages shape human interactions, social structures, worldviews and cultures.
• Cultural or social anthropology: A cultural or social anthropologist studies societies and cultural groups to document and analyze their beliefs, values and lifestyle. Some cultural anthropologists may conduct research by immersing themselves in the culture they wish to study, a method called ethnographic research.