Amherst College

What you'll study

Coursework typically spans four subfields and research skills rather than a fixed list of required modules. Common areas of instruction include:

• Cultural anthropology: theories of culture, ethnography, kinship, political and economic organization, and contemporary social issues.
• Archaeology: approaches to material culture, field methods, stratigraphy, and interpreting past human behavior through remains and landscape.
• Biological anthropology: human evolution, primate behavior, and the biological bases of human variation.
• Methods and analysis: qualitative fieldwork (participant observation, interviewing), quantitative techniques, and training in research design and ethics.
• Independent research: guided projects or a senior thesis that develop skills in framing questions, gathering evidence, and presenting findings.

Entry requirements

Admission to Amherst is through the college's general undergraduate application process; there is no separate application for the Anthropology major. Prospective students should demonstrate strong preparation in reading, writing, and critical thinking. Declared majors typically work with departmental advisers to plan a program of study; introductory anthropology courses are suitable starting points for students without prior background.

Career prospects

An Amherst anthropology major prepares graduates for a range of paths. Typical outcomes include continuing to graduate study (anthropology, archaeology, public health, law, urban planning), research and fieldwork positions, cultural resource management, nonprofit and international development work, museums and heritage roles, education, and policy or organizational roles that value qualitative analysis and cross-cultural understanding. The program's emphasis on research, communication, and analytical skills is broadly transferable across sectors.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Financial support for anthropology students is generally available through college-wide aid, research grants, and summer funding programs rather than discipline-specific scholarships. Students interested in fieldwork or independent research should consult faculty advisers and the college's undergraduate research office for guidance on internal grants, travel funds, and external fellowships that can support field schools, archival work, and senior projects.