Rollins College

What you'll study

This programme grounds you in core anthropological theory and methods while allowing focused study of organisations, workplaces and institutional culture. Typical modules include cultural anthropology, social theory, ethnographic methods, qualitative and mixed methods research, and specialised courses in organisational anthropology such as workplace ethnography, institutions and power, globalization and organisations, and applied anthropology.

Teaching combines small seminars and methods practica with applied projects. You will develop skills in participant observation, interviewing, textual and visual analysis, and the ethical practice of fieldwork. Many students complete a practicum or internship with a local organisation and a senior capstone or research project that applies ethnographic methods to a real organisational question.

• Introductory courses: cultural anthropology and anthropological theory
• Research methods: ethnography, qualitative analysis and mixed methods
• Organisational electives: workplace ethnography, institutions and power, culture and management
• Applied practice: internship/practicum, community‑engaged projects, capstone research
• Interdisciplinary options: courses in business, communication, psychology or political science to broaden applied skills

Entry requirements

Rollins College admits students on the basis of a strong secondary school record and evidence of intellectual curiosity and readiness for a liberal arts curriculum. Applicants are typically expected to present a high school diploma or recognised equivalent and transcripts showing solid performance across humanities and social sciences.

Rollins operates a holistic review; applicants should supply a personal statement and recommendations that speak to academic preparation and extracurricular engagement. Standardised test scores may be optional depending on the current admissions policy—check Rollins admissions for the latest guidance. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or approved alternatives if English is not their first language.

Career prospects

Graduates with organisational anthropology training are well placed for roles that require cultural analysis, qualitative research skills and an ability to translate human behaviour into organisational strategy. Common career paths include:

• Human resources and organisational development
• Management consulting and change management
• User experience (UX) research and design
• Market and consumer insights research
• Policy analysis, programme evaluation and international development
• Non‑profit and community organisations
• Further academic study (MA/PhD) in anthropology, applied social research or related fields

Alumni commonly combine anthropology with internships and cross‑disciplinary study (for example in business or communications) to move into corporate, public sector or consultancy roles where qualitative insight into culture and practice is valued.

Why study at Rollins College

Rollins is a small liberal arts college that emphasises close faculty mentoring, small class sizes and hands‑on learning—advantages for students learning ethnographic methods that benefit from guided fieldwork and sustained faculty supervision. The college’s location near Orlando and its network of local organisations offer internship and practicum possibilities for applied research in business, non‑profits and public agencies.

Students benefit from an interdisciplinary curriculum, opportunities for study abroad and a campus culture that supports undergraduate research and community engagement. Faculty in the social sciences often supervise independent projects, and career services help translate anthropological skills into marketable experience for employers in a variety of sectors.