Fact Sheets

Anthropology @ MSUM

Anthropology

Anthropologists study people from all around the world and from different time periods. Their studies encompass such a vast range of human variety and societies that anthropologists typically divide their field into subfields, such as cultural anthropology, linguistics, physical anthropology and archaeology. Each of these fields is a discipline in its own right. MSUM's Anthropology program stresses a broad background in the field. Students move from introductory courses in cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology to more advanced study in one of two important subfields: archaeology and cultural anthropology.

Career Opportunities

  • USA Today lists anthropology as one of the "hot" new majors for business people.
  • MSUM's anthropology major is excellent preparation for students who wish to continue study in graduate school. Graduates of the program have gone on to graduate programs at universities all over the country.
  • MSUM anthropology graduates have found employment in archaeological field service with government agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Park Service, Minnesota Historical Society, Illinois Department of Transportation, Nebraska State Museum and the Kansas State Historical Society, as well as with numerous private firms, such as Hemisphere Field Services, HDR Inc., BRW Inc., Powers Elevation, and KCI Inc.

Program Benefits 

  • Faculty in MSUM's anthropology and earth science department make a special effort to get to know you personally and help you find the courses you need.
  • Upper-level classes are normally small and often have fewer than 20 students. This allows you to get to know your professor and receive personal attention. It is also easier for you to make contacts with students who share your interests.
  • Courses are taught by professors. Tests are administered and graded by professors. There are no teaching assistants.
  • The anthropology major features special training programs in both archaeology and cultural anthropology. There are regular summer school offerings in standard archaeological field techniques and in geophysical prospection. There are also two cultural tours; one in the Midwest United States and one in East Africa.
  • Five faculty, including two cultural anthropologists and three archaeologists, teach classes and are available as advisors. Every student chooses an advisor from among these five faculty and has the option of working as closely with or as independent of their advisor as they choose.
  • The major program is compact and allows students to complete the major, all of their liberal studies requirements, and still have the opportunity to acquire a minor, or even a second major in another field. Faculty strongly advise students to complement their anthropology major with preparation in an unrelated applied field such as business, computers, management or technology.
  • The program is set up to encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary work in geology and geography, which is linked to anthropology on a departmental level.