Anthropology Majors

The SMU Department of Anthropology offers B.A. and B.S. degrees.

B.A. Degree

Our B.A. program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the diversity of human biology and culture over time. Students are able to shape their particular specialty within anthropology while developing research skills for their life after graduation. Our B.A. program works well as a stand-alone major or when paired with another major for students pursuing diverse careers. The B.A. degree will require a minimum of thirty-eight (38) credit hours in anthropology. Eleven (11) of these credits are required in foundational courses including: Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 2301), Archaeology (ANTH 2463), and Human Evolution (ANTH 2415). B.A. students will also take a minimum of twelve (12) credits in regional, methods, and analytical coursework. Integrated Themes (ANTH 4399) constitutes a required capstone course. Of the remaining twelve (12) elective credit hours for the B.A., at least three (3) credit hours must be from the 4000-level or higher.  

B.S. Degree

The B.S. program requires a minimum of fifty (50) credit hours. Students build upon the same (26 credit hour) core program as the B.A. but with several additions. B.S. students will also take ANTH 5334 or 5335 (History of Anthropology I or II), STAT 2331 (Introduction to Statistics), three (3) credits in advanced statistics or data analysis, six (6) credits in advanced social or natural science, and nine (9) elective credit hours for the B.S., at least three (3) elective credit hours must be from the 4000-level or higher. 

Health & Society Major

The Health & Society Major is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in the practice and study of health in global and cultural contexts. The major includes courses spanning lab, behavioral, and social sciences, an ethics component, as well as a capstone course or project. The foundation courses include introductory, intermediate, and advanced level classes where students in this major come together in shared experience.