Anthropology, as a field, is broad and expansive, encompassing questions and methods that reach from the humanities to the natural sciences – and you can pursue your major in the way that best fits your interests and aspirations.
Anthropology undergraduates earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Anthropology. Students seeking a broad overview of our discipline or those wanting to focus on the more humanistic side of Anthropology may consider the BA. Student who wish to focus on a particular, scientific area within the discipline may consider the BS.
Both degrees are appropriate for a myriad of post-baccalaureate opportunities including graduate and professional school training in the health sciences (e.g. medical school, public health, physical therapy), law, social justice advocacy, research, museum studies, cultural resource management, forestry services, and (of course!) anthropology.
Both degrees share a core curriculum that includes:
- An introductory course in each of the traditional subfields of anthropology at UW: sociocultural anthropology (courses are listed under the ANTH prefix), biological anthropology (courses are listed under the BIO A prefix), and archaeology (courses are listed under the ARCHY prefix); and
- An introductory statistics course.
Both the BS and BA degrees allow you to earn options in Medical Anthropology & Global Health, Human Evolutionary Biology, or Archeological Sciences. The BA also allows options in Anthropology of Globalization or Indigenous Archaeology. There is also an option in the BA to choose general anthropology coursework without pursuing an option.
The best way to approach either degree is to take the introductory subfield courses. They give you an overview of the approach and topics of interest of each subfield and you may find that you are more engaged with one area than another. Explore our courses; speak with our advisors; meet our faculty. The specifics of each can be found under the Undergraduate pages under the Programs & Courses tab.
Please peruse the breakdown of the two degree paths listed below. If you are unsure of the best degree preparation for your future goals, please reach out to an anthropology undergraduate advisor by making an advising appointment.
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology | Bachelor of Science (BS) in Anthropology |
|---|---|
| Requires a minimum of 55 credits, incorporating core courses and additional electives distributed across subfields. | Requires a minimum of 75 credits, including core courses, additional elective credits, and specified upper-division coursework aligned with the chosen option. |
| Offers a holistic view of anthropology, ideal for those seeking a broader understanding or emphasizing humanistic aspects. | Emphasizes a scientific approach within anthropology, focusing on specialized tracks. |
Five distinct options:
Students may choose to pursue one of these options or complete the BA without declaring any specific option. | Three distinct options:
|
| Allows flexibility in elective choices, accommodating diverse interests across anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology. | Requires specific elective credits, concentrating on upper-division courses, Natural Science courses specific to the discipline, and designated tracks related to the chosen option. |
| Requires completion of core courses such as Principles of Biological Anthropology, a 200-level ANTH course, a 200-level ARCHY course, and an introductory statistics course (20 credits). | Requires completion of core courses such as Principles of Biological Anthropology, a 200-level ANTH course, a 200-level ARCHY course, and an introductory statistics course (20 credits). |
| Encourages concentration tracks (Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology) for focused study | Focuses on the completion of specialized tracks, emphasizing a structured curriculum. |
| Mandates a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher for major requirements. | Mandates a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher for major requirements. |
| Requires a minimum of 15 upper-division anthropology credits at UW. | Requires a minimum of 35 upper-division anthropology credits at UW. |
| Does not have specific requirements regarding Natural Science (NSc) courses in Anthropology. | Requires a minimum of 50 credits of Natural Science (NSc) courses within ANTH, ARCHY or BIO A. |
| Provides a broader focus, preparing students for diverse post-baccalaureate opportunities in anthropology and related fields. | Emphasizes academic rigor and specialization, preparing students for advanced studies, especially in the realm of scientific anthropology and related fields. |