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Anthropology Major

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Explore the ways in which people understand and adapt to living in a variety of settings across time with the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. The Anthropology Major focuses on the study of human diversity and cultural relativism, helping you cultivate an appreciation for the world and its people.  

The ways in which culture is created and recorded—through art, communication, literature and music—have greatly evolved over time. By uncovering and analyzing historical artifacts, you’ll develop a deep understanding of global cultures and societies, and in turn better understand specific aspects of your own society. As a result, you’ll be well prepared for careers that require cultural sensitivity and an understanding of cultural differences. 

The 123-credit multidisciplinary Anthropology BA curriculum emphasizes two themes designed to integrate courses in archaeology, biological anthropology, sociocultural anthropology and linguistic anthropology. By taking courses related to one of the two themes—Mobility and Global Inequity or Evolution and Human Environments—students develop their research, analytical and writing skills. They also form key skill sets necessary for success in their postgraduate life and an understanding of the following concepts.

  • How humans relate to the natural world.
  • How humans construct and manipulate their cultural environment.
  • How class, gender, geographical location, race and sexuality influence access to power.
  • How theory relates to the collection and interpretation of data.
  • Human cultural and biological differences and how they relate to human interactions.

Minor in Anthropology

The Anthropology Minor is designed for any undergraduate student at Temple who wants to learn about general anthropology, but cannot commit to a full academic major. Students in the Anthropology Minor gain a well-rounded education and form writing and research skills, as well as a capacity to speak about human communities and social change in complex and informed ways, that help them stand out in the job market. 

Contact

Michael Hesson is the program contact for for this minor.
Email:

Professor instructing a class at Temple University.

Classes & Curriculum

Students begin their coursework in the Anthropology Major by taking an introductory course in each of our two themes: Evolution and Human Environments and Mobility and Global Inequality. Students also must take a methods course. There are four methods courses to choose from, one in each of the following subfields.

  • Fieldwork and Ethnographic Methods
  • Methods in the Study of Environmental Archaeology
  • Methods in the Study of Evolution
  • Research Methods in Culture and Communication

Graduating seniors take a capstone course (either Evolution and Human Environments Capstone or Mobility and Global Inequality Capstone) that seeks to integrate all information, theories and methods that they have learned in their previous classes.

In addition to these four required courses, students can use the remaining seven elective courses to explore all fields of anthropology—or to specialize in a particular area of interest. Our faculty are available to help students navigate course choices, and our majors are encouraged to seek faculty advice to make sure they take the best mix of courses to suit their interests and goals for the future.

Learn more about the Anthropology Major required courses. 

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

*College of Science and Technology
**School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
*** Klein College of Media and Communication 

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $19,608.00 per year
Out-of-state: $35,232.00 per year

Our Academic Advisors

Advising support is provided by the College of Liberal Arts Center for Academic Advising. You can find more information on the CLA Academic Advising webpage (https://liberalarts.temple.edu/students/academic-advising).

Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development

Dedicated advisors at the Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development in the College of Liberal Arts are available to guide students through their academic careers and with their career paths beyond Temple. They can help you choose a major, navigate your curriculum, identify internship opportunities, explore career opportunities and determine your post-graduation plans. Learn more about the center.

Program Contact

For more information about the Anthropology Major program, contact the following staff member. 

Jessica Brennan is an administrator in the Anthropology Department.
Phone: 215-204-7577
Email:

The following staff members lead the Anthropology Department.

Kimberly Williams is the department chair.
Email: 

Michael Hesson is the director of undergraduate studies.
Email:

University Honors Program

The College of Liberal Arts participates in Temple’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and how to be admitted. 

Students who meet certain academic and extracurricular criteria may become members of the following honor societies. 

  • Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year at college.
  • Golden Key is an international society that enables members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. 
  • Phi Beta Kappa is open to juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts. To qualify for Phi Beta Kappa, a student must maintain a high grade point average in a broad, rigorous program of study in the liberal arts, including mathematics and foreign languages.

Learn more about Temple’s honor societies.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Supplement your Anthropology Major coursework and enhance your undergraduate experience at Temple with more than 300 student clubs and organizations. You’ll have opportunities to meet and network with other students, get involved with the community, grow your interests, and develop résumé-boosting skills and experiences.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to join the Undergraduate Anthropology Association. The UAA is a forum in which Anthropology majors and minors can meet one another and interact with professors and graduate students through bimonthly meetings, museum and event trips, student panels, and more. 

Learn more about student clubs and organizations.

Study Away

College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students are encouraged to study away for an academic year, semester or summer. 

Enrich your experience at Temple by participating in the India summer program. Based in the medieval desert town of Dhrangadhra, Gujarat, the program is intended to investigate Indian civilization through an anthropological study of its religious and artistic traditions, ancient and contemporary.

Learn more about studying away in India. 

Accreditation

The Department of Africology and African American Studies is accredited by the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS). NCBS was established in 1975 by African American scholars who recognized the need to formalize the study of the African experience, as well as expand and strengthen academic units and community programs devoted to this endeavor.

Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additional Program Information