Best Online Anthropology Degrees

Anthropology students examine the historical, political, and biological factors that affect society, studying in areas like science, history, linguistics, and religion. Graduates of online bachelor’s in anthropology programs enjoy strong job prospects.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that anthropology jobs will grow 5% between 2019-2029, which is faster than the national average. Additionally, the BLS reports that anthropologists and archaeologists made a median annual salary of $63,670 in 2019. However, salaries vary significantly by degree level, location, and job type.

Anthropologists can work in settings like research agencies, consulting firms, and museums. An anthropology bachelor’s degree prepares graduates for both entry-level positions and more advanced degrees.

Anthropology explores the social, cultural, and biological development of humans, incorporating areas like history, religion, biology, geography, politics, art, literature, and economics. The study of anthropology began with the ancient Greeks and Romans. Ancient historians traveled from country to country, describing the cultures and practices they saw. The Greeks and Romans used this information to better understand the roots of regional conflicts.

Anthropology expanded in medieval times with the growth of trade. Accounts from explorers like Marco Polo gave insight into the cultural development of faraway lands. Modern anthropology started with the Age of Enlightenment, which emphasized the use of reason and the scientific method.

Today, professionals can find anthropology jobs in areas like education, government, museum curation, and law. Many anthropologists work in an office, but some professionals — such as researchers and archaeologists — may work in the field.

Students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in anthropology gain skills in research, critical thinking, organization, communication, and problem-solving. They typically take general education, anthropology, and elective courses. The best anthropology programs offer concentrations that allow students to specialize in an area of anthropology such as archaeology, cultural anthropology, or forensic anthropology.

Archeology examines the discovery and preservation of historical artifacts. Students learn how materials found during archaeological excavations lead to a better understanding of specific periods, places, events, or cultures.

Cultural anthropology — a sub-section of anthropology — studies the development of human culture. Learners examine how factors like art, war, politics, and literature impact human growth. Forensic anthropology studies human remains to determine things like cause and time of death. Many forensic anthropology graduates find work in law enforcement.

When researching prospective online bachelor’s in anthropology programs, students should consider factors like a program’s length, cost, and graduation requirements. Most anthropology bachelor’s degrees take four years of full-time study to complete. However, many anthropology programs also offer accelerated learning tracks that allow students to graduate faster.

Tuition costs vary by institution. Typically, public schools cost less than private schools. Additionally, some schools offer different tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state students, while other schools allow all online students to pay in-state tuition regardless of residency.

Online students should research all of a prospective program’s requirements. Some online programs have in-person requirements, such as internships or on-campus residencies. Students should ensure that they can meet all requirements before committing to a program.

Prospective students can learn more about online anthropology degrees through this link.

Students taking anthropology courses online study topics like archeology, history, sociology, and religion. Classes vary by program, but the following list outlines common bachelor’s in anthropology courses.

When researching prospective schools, students should look for accreditation. Accreditation indicates that a school meets high standards with respect to faculty qualifications, academic rigor, and student learning outcomes. Schools may receive regional or national accreditation. Regional accreditation typically applies to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions, while national accreditation applies to for-profit, vocational and technical schools. Regional accreditation is generally considered the more prestigious of the two.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For example, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only recognize and accept credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree.

Programs within a school, such as social work, business, and nursing programs, may also receive accreditation. At this time, no programmatic accrediting agency exists for anthropology programs, so students should look for regionally accredited schools.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee accrediting bodies. Students can find a school’s accreditation status through the ED accreditation database and the CHEA accreditation directory.

The best anthropology programs prepare students for careers in education, museum curation, and research. Some advanced positions require a master’s or doctoral degree. We cover several common anthropology jobs and potential salaries below.

Anthropology studies the cultural and social development of society, examining topics like archeology, biology, history, and linguistics. Anthropologists often aid in historical preservation and environmental conservation efforts.

Anthropology bachelor’s degrees examine societal development from scientific and humanistic perspectives. The degree includes a mix of general education and anthropology courses and typically takes four years of full-time study to complete.

Degree requirements vary by career. Entry-level anthropology jobs in geography and environmental science typically require a bachelor’s degree. Postsecondary educators and museum curators often need a master’s degree in anthropology.

Salaries differ by career, degree level, and location. According to the BLS, anthropology salaries ranged from $48,400-$104,340 in 2018.

The best place to study anthropology depends on a student’s needs and goals. Prospective learners should consider factors like cost, available specializations, degree length, and online resources when searching for the best anthropology programs.

An anthropology bachelor’s degree prepares students for entry-level jobs in government, business, education, and human services. Graduates can work in roles such as grant writer, archivist, high school teacher, and public policy analyst.