Navigating the Human Experience: A Guide to the UCLA Anthropology Major

Anthropology, the study of humanity, offers a uniquely broad perspective, bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities. At UCLA, the Anthropology Department, consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation since its founding in 1941, provides students with a comprehensive exploration of this fascinating field. Whether you're drawn to the intricacies of human biology, the mysteries of past civilizations, the nuances of language, or the complexities of social structures, anthropology offers a path to explore your interests. When I began my journey at UCLA, I had absolutely no idea what anthropology was, let alone what career path I wanted to take.

Discovering Anthropology at UCLA

One of the great aspects of studying anthropology at UCLA is the accessibility of the program. Unlike some majors that require a competitive application process, students interested in anthropology can simply declare a "pre-anthropology" major by meeting with their counselor. These introductory courses provide an overview of the four subfields of anthropology: archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology, allowing students to determine if the field is the right fit for them.

The Breadth of Anthropological Study

Anthropology is simply the study of humans. The field is often said to be the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities. One of the reasons I love anthropology is because of its breadth. You are bound to find something within the field of anthropology that interests you. The anthropology major courses provide much more flexibility and freedom for students pursuing either the BA or the BS because students are required to take courses across the different subfields of anthropology such as Archaeology, Biology, Linguistics, Regional Cultures & Societies, Methods, History or Theory.

BA vs. BS: Choosing Your Path

UCLA's Department of Anthropology offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). Both degrees provide a solid foundation in anthropological theory and methods, allowing students to tailor their coursework to their specific interests. The required Anthropology classes are the same for both degrees; the B.S. degree differs from the B.A. in that it also includes classes in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Math.

Bachelor of Arts (BA): The BA degree provides a broad education in anthropology, integrating approaches from the social and natural sciences as well as the humanities. It is ideal for students interested in careers in research and teaching, as well as those pursuing postgraduate training in social sciences, humanities, and biological sciences.
Bachelor of Science (BS): The BS degree builds upon the core anthropology curriculum with additional coursework in the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and statistics. This degree is an excellent choice for students interested in careers in science, healthcare, or related fields. The B.S. thus constitutes an outstanding, rigorous foundation for careers in which you’re either practicing science, or using science to help others.

Curriculum and Coursework

The anthropology major curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field. Students are required to take courses across the different subfields of anthropology such as Archaeology, Biology, Linguistics, Regional Cultures & Societies, Methods, History or Theory. As a student pursuing the Anthropology BS with an interest in healthcare, I made sure to take as many healthcare focused courses as possible.

UCLA’s Anthropology Department even offers a course titled “Careers in Anthropology” to provide students an overview of the various career paths that are available to them after graduation by bringing in UCLA anthropology alumni that have succeeded in a variety of fields from medicine to tech.

Course Examples: A Glimpse into the Curriculum

The Department offers two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Sciences. Both degrees give students the opportunity to take classes from across the full range of the discipline, while also allowing you to emphasize those areas that most interest you.

An introduction to different views on population movement from refugee crisis and migration tendencies to policies surrounding newcomers’ incorporation and anti-immigration political strategies.
An examination of how photography is used in the field of anthropology.

Expanding Your Horizons: Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

UCLA offers a wealth of opportunities for anthropology students to enhance their learning experience outside of the classroom.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a fantastic way to broaden your perspective and gain a global understanding of anthropology. I attended a study abroad program at the University of Sussex in Brighton on the southern coast of England during the summer of 2019. While in England, I completed all of my physics courses and labs in just a span of 8 weeks compared to the 33 weeks it would take at UCLA. Although studying physics abroad is a great option for those pursuing their BS in Anthropology at UCLA, there are also abroad programs for students pursuing their BA in Anthropology.

The Lemelson Undergraduate Honors Program

The Lemelson Undergraduate Honors Program is a wonderful opportunity for anthropology students who want to engage in research with faculty in the department of anthropology and receive a Departmental Honors Designation on their diploma. As part of the Honors Programs, students must submit a final Honors thesis to reflect their research in 25-30 pages of text.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Clubs and Organizations

One of my favorite things about UCLA is the amount of clubs and organizations available. You can pursue all of your passions and interests. UCLA is home to over 1,000 student clubs and organizations. There’s even an Undergraduate Anthropology Association which aims to connect anthropology department faculty and students.

Career Paths: Anthropology in Action

An Anthropology B.S. and around the globe. It is one of the broadest of all disciplines, spanning a range of theories and methods, from the life and natural sciences to the humanities.

Thinking about a career in any of the nearly 100 health sciences? Medicine? Nursing? Forensics? Or perhaps you’re excited about contributing to evidence-based public policy, or maybe law. Think outside the box, and you’ll discover that an Anthropology B.S. majors stand out from the crowd of applicants to professional and graduate schools. Sure, all applicants to med school understand the Krebs cycle, but do they also know why humans are so prone to lower-back injuries? Or how cultural differences affect access to healthcare? Plenty of students working toward careers in public health or public policy know that teen pregnancy has adverse consequences, but how many of them can explain why kids who grow up in poverty reach sexual maturity earlier? Students majoring in anthropology are well positioned to pursue careers in research and teaching in both university and museum settings. They also develop skills that can lead them to further postgraduate training in other social scientific fields, the humanities, and biological sciences. UCLA’s Anthropology faculty engage in cutting edge research.

UCLA’s Department of Anthropology was founded in 1941 and has consistently ranked among the top 10 programs in the country due to its faculty and teaching. At UCLA, there are some majors that require students to complete an application after completing certain courses. For students interested in anthropology, you can simply make an appointment with your counselor and request to be “pre-anthropology”.

Anthropology Minor

Students who wish to take a series of courses in anthropology, but major in another discipline, may be interested in the Anthropology minor.

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