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Anthropology

Purdue University in West Lafayette

Anthropology considers humankind from a holistic perspective that aims for an understanding of how culture, biology, history and language intersect.

Purdue has a rigorous and well-balanced four-field (biological, archaeological, cultural and linguistic anthropology) undergraduate anthropology program. The faculty cover a range of substantive, methodological, and theoretical areas in courses that provide students with a solid grounding in anthropological perspectives. Students have the opportunity for hands-on experiences within the department with internships and field work experiences. Purdue has an active anthropology student club, P.A.S.T. (Purdue Anthropology Society). 

Anthropology Honors provides a capstone experience for students, if they choose. The year-long program empowers students to focus on a particular empirical issue in an anthropological sub-discipline. Students write an honors thesis based on their research.

All liberal arts majors prepare students with the skills identified as contributing to managerial success:  communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, creative/critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to make connections across complex ideas.

Degree in 3

Motivated, driven students can complete this major in three years. Degree in 3 allows students to enter the work force or graduate school a year earlier while also providing a cost-effective way to complete an undergraduate degree. Degree in 3 offers a great combination of cost-savings and the opportunity to accelerate your future and achieve your goals.

Instructional Excellence Spotlights

Ian Lindsay and Sherry Briller portraits In 2024, two members of the Anthropology faculty were recognized for their excellence in teaching! Sherylyn Briller earned the Kenneth T. Kofmehl Outstanding Teaching Award and Ian Lindsay received the College of Liberal Arts Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher. Awardees are selected from among nominations submitted by departments to the CLA Educational Excellence Awards Committee and the Dean on the basis of student and faculty nominations, student ratings, teaching and scholarly excellence, and peer evaluation.

Plan of Study

Anthropology, BA

Anthropology Honors, BA

Concentrations Include:

Anthropology Webpage

Transfer to Anthropology

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

Minimum GPA: 2.5


Contact Information

Undergraduate Student Recruitment Office
(765) 494-6291
newstudent@purdue.edu

College of Liberal Arts
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Careers in Anthropology

  •   Educator
  •   Museum and Archive Curator
  •   Government Researcher
  •   Non-Profit Manager
  •   Cultural Resource Manager
  •   Impact Assessor
  •   Policy Analyst
  •   Journalist
  •   Business Consultant
  •   UX Researcher
  •   Urban Planner
  •   Forensic Scientist

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