Major in Anthropology (Bachelor’s)
Discover humanity from every angle, from global cultural traditions down to our shared genetics with CU Denver’s online Anthropology degree.
Anthropology offers a comprehensive examination of humanity, exploring our past, present, cultural practices, and biological traits across the globe. In today’s interconnected and conflicted world, it serves as the definitive discipline for developing a truly global perspective.
Anthropology provides opportunities to apply your knowledge to situations in Denver. Our classes offer first-hand experience with the human condition up-close. For example, you might:
- Explore labor conditions in Colorado’s cannabis industry
- Design a survey to support legislation expanding health care access to immigrants
- Talk with neighborhood activists about how gentrification affects them
- Interview Indigenous leaders about their opinions about the legalization of psychedelics
- Take a field trip to a zoo to learn about our primate relatives
- Participate in a field school to study the footprints of humans’ earliest-known ancestor
Advocate for equity and social justice through analysis of wholistic data sources
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Degree LevelBachelor’s -
School & CollegeCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences -
Total Credit Hours120 -
Class Type100% Online -
Time CommitmentFull-Time or Part-Time -
Start Term(s)Fall, Spring, Summer
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Program Overview
The online BA in Anthropology is offered fully online with asynchronous courses.
There are no set sign-in times, meaning you can complete your coursework whenever and wherever works best for you.
Your courses are taught by the same faculty who teach the on-campus program at CU Denver, which means you receive the same high-quality education with the flexibility of an online format.
Discover the expansive field of anthropology and unlock innovative career pathways across academia, business, government, and the nonprofit sector.
More than just a major, Anthropology offers a unique way of viewing the world and a community of like-minded spirits. Plan your future and explore the mysteries of human behaviors and of human nature.
Our faculty deeply cares about their students and give you undivided attention and guidance. They help you plan your future and explore the mysteries of human behaviors and of human nature with you.
Tuition Breakdown
| Resident/COF | Non-Resident Online |
|---|---|
| $417* per credit | $640 per credit |
*College Opportunity Fund (COF) must be elected for this rate. For more information, see the Undergraduate Tuition Table.
Career Outlook
What can I do with a bachelor’s in anthropology?
A bachelor’s degree in anthropology can prepare you for a wide range of careers. The study of Anthropology comprises the entire human experience, including societies, cultures, and behaviors. Through research and analysis, you can understand the elements that bind people together, including human origins, ideologies, language, health, art, faith, social justice, and technology.
Sample Courses
In the online BA in Anthropology, you have flexibility and choices in your core courses and electives. 15 credit hours in core courses will focus on logic, language, and scientific reasoning, psychology, writing for the sciences, and public health.
World Prehistory (ANTH 3301)
Explores of 3.5 million years of human cultural development that examines the prehistory of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Culture and the Human Experience (ANTH 2102)
Applying the concept of culture to aspects of the human experience, including gender relations, emotion and personality, cognition, language, health and healing and economic behavior.
Anthropology of Death (ANTH 3666)
Explores human expression through the treatment of human remains, mortuary practices, burials, and rituals from the Neolithic to the early 20th century.
This program will teach you to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the history of anthropological thoughts, theories, and current major schools of thought within the discipline
- Apply anthropological research methods in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data
- Showcase critical evaluation of information from the perspective of behavioral science
- Effectively communicate your thoughts orally and in writing
- Deepen comprehension and exhibit an understanding of Anthropological ethics
Choose 15 credit hours of electives:
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ANTH 3000 | Globalization, Migration, Transnationalism |
| ANTH 3072 | Lost Worlds and Crystal Skulls |
| ANTH 3142 | Cultural Diversity in the Modern World |
| ANTH 3666 | Anthropology of Death |
| ANTH 4050 | Quantitative Methods |
Three distinct specializations are offered to help guide your educational journey, though choosing a specialization is not required.
- Archaeology | Understand the past through historical and pre-historic materials, architectural features, landscapes and remains
- Biological/Physical Anthropology | Human and non-human primate evolution, ecology, behavior, and biocultural variation
- Cultural/Medical Anthropology | The social patterns and processes within and across cultures, and the factors the influence people’s health and well-being
Admissions
CU Denver programs like the online BA in Anthropology are test-optional and do not require test scores for admission consideration. It is up to the applicant if they want their test score to be considered in the admission process. Choosing not to submit your test scores will not hurt your chances of acceptance in any way. If you do choose to submit test scores, they will only be taken into account if they help your decision.
Admission Requirements
Are you a strong candidate for admission to CU Denver's online BA Anthropology degree program? Here are some of the general criteria:
- Your GPA and test scores fall into or above our middle 50%
- The middle 50% of our admitted freshmen had between a 3.23 and 3.93 GPA and scored between 1070 and 1260 on the SAT, 21-27 on the ACT.
- You’ve completed all Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR)
- You have no more than two Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) unit deficiencies
Get Personalized Support for Your Application
Start the process of becoming a CU Denver student by filling out the form on this page today. After submitting your form, the enrollment team will contact you to help you take the next steps.
Tuition & Financial Aid
At CU Denver, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
Scholarships may be available for those who qualify.
Timeline
The BA in Anthropology program can be completed at the same pace as any traditional undergraduate degree or at your own pace. By taking a full course load (at least 12 credit hours per semester) you can expect to graduate in four years. You can also take summer courses when they are available and have your transfer credit evaluated to potentially shorten the time to graduation.
After graduation, you may pursue a wide range of careers including an archaeologist, community manager, research scientist, or policy analyst or apply to graduate programs for further academic study.
Experience flexible, career-focused programs with CU Denver’s renowned quality—100% online—taught by expert faculty in engaging courses within a supportive community, all at an affordable tuition with financial aid and scholarships available.
Flexible, career-focused programs with the same CU Denver quality—100% online.
Expert faculty, engaging courses, and a supportive online community.
Affordable tuition with financial aid and scholarships for online students.
Take the Next Step
Ready to transform your passion for writing into a career? Take the first step toward earning your online degree by filling out the form above for more information or calling us.