Bachelor of Arts (BA) vs. Bachelor of Science (BS)

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 should consider the BA. Student who wish to focus on a particular, scientific area within the discipline should 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:

  1. 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
  2. An introductory statistics course.

Both degrees allow you to earn options in Medical Anthropology & Global Health, Human Evolutionary Biology, and Archeological Sciences. Only the BA allows options in Anthropology of Globalization and Indigenous Archaeology. The BA also allows students to choose to generalize their 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 appointment online.


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.

Provides five distinct options:

  • Anthropology of Globalization
  • Archaeological Sciences
  • Human Evolutionary Biology
  • Indigenous Archaeology
  • Medical Anthropology & Global Health
Students may choose to pursue one of these options or complete the BA without declaring any specific option.

Requires students to select at least one specialized option:

  • Archaeological Sciences
  • Human Evolutionary Biology
  • Medical Anthropology & Global Health
Allows flexibility in elective choices, accommodating diverse interests across anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology. Requires specific elective credits, concentrating on upper-division courses 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 informal concentration tracks (Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology) for focused study without formal transcript notations. Focuses on the completion of specialized tracks without provisions for informal concentrations, 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 Anthropology.
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.

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