University of San Francisco

What you'll study

This programme combines core anthropological theory and qualitative methods with focused coursework on organisations, workplaces and institutional dynamics. Teaching emphasises applied ethnography, critical analysis of culture and actionable insights for change in contemporary organisations.

• Core methods: ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, qualitative interviewing, coding and analysis, visual methods and reflexive practice.
• Theory and context: organisational culture, power and hierarchy, identity and belonging, networks and informal structures, and the anthropology of institutions.
• Applied modules: organisational change and development, design ethnography and user research, policy ethnography, and evaluation methods for programmes and services.
• Research design and practice: research ethics, project planning, mixed-methods integration and translating findings for stakeholders.
• Capstone or practicum: a substantial applied project, professional practicum with a local organisation, or a thesis that demonstrates independent research and the ability to deliver recommendations for real-world organisational problems.

Course delivery typically blends seminars, lab-style methods workshops, supervised fieldwork and collaborative projects with industry or community partners in the Bay Area and beyond.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent; degrees in anthropology, sociology, psychology, business, design, public policy, international studies or other social sciences are well suited. Relevant professional experience in organisations, research, design or community practice is valued, particularly for applicants from non-anthropological backgrounds.

• Academic transcripts demonstrating satisfactory undergraduate performance.
• A personal statement outlining research interests, professional goals and reasons for pursuing organisational anthropology.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé detailing education and relevant work or research experience.
• Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• Evidence of proficiency in English if your first language is not English (international applicants).

Standardised tests are not universally required; consult the programme admissions page for current guidance. Candidates may be invited to an interview or to submit a short writing sample or research proposal.

Career prospects

Graduates use anthropological skills to inform strategy, design and people-centred change across multiple sectors. The programme prepares students for roles that require deep qualitative insight, contextual reasoning and the ability to translate cultural analysis into organisational impact.

• User researcher / UX researcher in technology and design teams
• Organisational development specialist, culture and change consultant
• Human-centred designer and design ethnographer
• Policy analyst and evaluator in government or NGOs
• Corporate anthropologist or strategy consultant
• Programme manager or monitoring & evaluation professional for non-profits and international organisations
• Research consultant or qualitative analyst in market research and consumer insights
• Progression to doctoral study in anthropology or related social sciences

Why study at University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco offers this programme within a liberal, interdisciplinary environment shaped by Jesuit values emphasising social justice, reflective practice and community engagement. Located in the Bay Area, the department has direct access to a diverse urban setting and a concentration of technology firms, design studios, non-profits and public agencies — ideal for applied fieldwork and professional placements.

Students benefit from small cohort sizes, faculty with experience in applied and organisational anthropology, and partnerships across campus and the city that support practicum placements and collaborative research. The programme’s emphasis on ethical practice, communication of findings to stakeholders and real-world impact prepares graduates to bring anthropological insight to contemporary organisational challenges.