Seattle University

What you'll study

The programme builds from foundational courses in cultural anthropology, ethnographic methods and anthropological theory into specialised coursework on organisations, institutions and workplaces. Students learn to conduct participant observation, in-depth interviews, qualitative coding and mixed-methods analysis and apply these skills to study organisational culture, power, identity, leadership and change.

• Core modules: cultural anthropology, anthropological theory, research methods and ethics, statistics for social sciences.
• Organizational Anthropology modules: workplace ethnography, organisations and institutions, applied anthropology in corporate and non-profit settings, culture and change management.
• Methods and practice: qualitative field methods, visual anthropology, digital ethnography, survey design and mixed-methods integration.
• Interdisciplinary options: courses in business, communication, information studies, public policy or human-centred design to support applied projects.
• Capstone and experiential learning: a senior research project or thesis informed by fieldwork, and an internship or practicum with a business, NGO, government office or research centre.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education equivalent to a US high-school diploma with a record of strong academic performance. Admissions typically consider grades, a personal statement demonstrating interest in cultural inquiry or organisational issues, and any relevant extracurricular or work experience.

International applicants should present recognised secondary credentials and proof of English proficiency where required. Transfer applicants are evaluated on completed college-level coursework and may receive credit for prior study in anthropology, social sciences or related fields.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of roles that require insight into people, culture and organisations. Common career paths include:

• Human resources and organisational development — employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, change management.
• User experience (UX) research and design — applying ethnographic methods to product and service development.
• Management and strategy consulting — organisational analysis, corporate culture assessment and implementation planning.
• Program evaluation and policy work in non-profits and government — needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation, community engagement.
• Market and social research — qualitative research, brand anthropology and consumer insights.
• Further study — graduate programmes in anthropology, business, public policy, human-centred design or social research.

Why study at Seattle University

Seattle University offers a small-college environment within a major metropolitan region, enabling close faculty mentoring and plentiful opportunities for experiential learning. The university emphasises ethical, community-engaged scholarship in line with its Jesuit tradition, which aligns well with applied anthropology’s focus on responsible research and social impact.

Located in Seattle, the programme benefits from proximity to technology firms, start-ups, research institutions and a vibrant non-profit sector, creating internship and collaborative-research possibilities. Interdisciplinary connections with business, communication and information studies let students tailor their training to careers in industry, public service or further academic study.