University of Memphis

What you'll study

This programme emphasises ethnographic methods and theoretical perspectives used to understand culture inside organisations, workplaces and institutions. Core study typically covers cultural and social theory, qualitative research methods, ethnography, and courses in organisational theory and workplace studies. Students learn participant observation, interviewing, narrative and discourse analysis, and methods for communicating findings to non-academic audiences.

• Ethnographic Methods: participant observation, fieldnotes, ethical practice, and long-form qualitative data collection.
• Qualitative Analysis: coding, thematic analysis, narrative and discourse approaches, and mixed-methods integration.
• Organisational Theory and Practice: studies of organisational culture, leadership, work processes, and institutional change.
• Applied/Practice Courses: applied anthropology seminars, consultancy practicum or community-engaged fieldwork focused on business, healthcare, education or non-profit settings.
• Research Project or Thesis: a supervised capstone in which students conduct original research on an organisational topic and present findings to academic and practitioner audiences.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Degrees in anthropology, sociology, business, psychology, public policy or related fields are commonly admitted; applicants with other backgrounds who demonstrate relevant experience or coursework are also considered. Admissions typically require a transcript of previous study, a statement of purpose explaining research interests in organisational anthropology, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and two to three letters of recommendation. A writing sample that demonstrates analytical and ethnographic thinking is often requested.

International applicants must meet the university's English-language proficiency requirements. The admissions committee evaluates applicants holistically, taking into account prior academic performance, relevant professional experience, and fit between the applicant's interests and faculty expertise.

Career prospects

Graduates use organisational anthropology skills in a range of applied and academic roles. Typical career paths include:

• Organisational development and change management in private and public sectors.
• Human-centred design, user experience (UX) research and service design for technology and product teams.
• Consultancy and applied research for firms addressing culture, communication and workplace transformation.
• Human resources strategy, diversity and inclusion programming, and training design.
• Policy analysis, programme evaluation and research roles in non-profits and government agencies.
• Academic careers and doctoral study in anthropology, organisational studies and related disciplines.

Why study at University of Memphis

The University of Memphis offers an applied orientation to anthropology with opportunities for close faculty supervision and community-engaged fieldwork. Located in an urban centre with diverse industries—healthcare, logistics, education and creative sectors—students can pursue practicum placements and employer partnerships for real-world organisational research.

The department emphasises training in contemporary qualitative methods and translating ethnographic insight into actionable recommendations for organisations. Small cohort sizes allow for individualized mentorship, and the broader university environment supports interdisciplinary collaboration with business, public health, education and design programmes.