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SNHU graduate John Roos standing in from of a lake. With the text John Roos '18

Anthropology Degree Online Bachelor's (BA)

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Register By: June 24 Classes Start: June 26

Earn an Anthropology Degree

  • $320/credit (120 credits)
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • Receive credit for prior learning
  • Learn from field-tested faculty
  • Experiential learning opportunities
  • $76,530 median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists1

Online Anthropology Degree Program Overview

If you’re interested in why humans act the way they do, Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology may be for you.

This experiential online anthropology degree bridges the sciences and humanities. Here, you'll explore similarities and differences in society through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses. You'll examine how society has changed throughout the years and into the present day.

Our online anthropology degree will give you a broad range of skills that could be useful as you embark on your future career. From tourism and market research to social impact and criminal justice, a degree in anthropology could open the door to many potential career options, and help you respond to cultural and environmental challenges.

Whether you wish to earn your master's or dive right into the field after graduation, this program is designed to provide the tools, skills and knowledge you'll need to succeed. SNHU graduate Celeste Cox '20 said, “Anthropology is an amazing base to any graduate degree and even in everyday life. I am currently in a public health/global health program and it has already helped me immensely."

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What You'll Learn

  • Theory and concept application
  • Research question development
  • Research and data analysis
  • Culturally relevant perspectives

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How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

Concentration Options

In addition to the general anthropology track, you can also choose to tailor your program with a career-focused concentration in environmental sustainability. 

Concentration Options

Career Outlook

Anthropologists can be found in a wide range of career paths all around the world, from corporations and government jobs to disaster areas and nonprofit associations.

Collin Gillenwater with the text Collin Gillenwater

"Whether my passion brought me to the beautiful coastline of the Yucatan, inland lakes of Nicaragua or colonial libraries of Oaxaca, my degree in anthropology emphasized the importance of recognizing the ways human culture changes and adapts over time. This resulted in me feeling like I could shed a little light on a sliver of the human experience," said Collin Gillenwater, who holds a master’s in historical archaeology and has taken his career in many directions over the years.

According to the American Anthropological Association, there are four main career paths for anthropology graduates today: 2

  • Academic careers: These career paths generally work on campuses and in anthropology departments, and focus on teaching and conducting research. This career path could include teaching courses, writing lectures and grading papers in university programs.

For example, as an adjunct instructor and social sciences team lead at SNHU, Heather York currently teaches Introduction to Cultural Anthropology and Human Origins and Evolution. What she especially loves about teaching anthropology is "the surprise students so often express at learning that the rest of the world really isn't as exotic as they thought."

  • Corporate and business careers: Many organizations look to add anthropologists to their team to help gain further insight into the needs of their consumers. Anthropologists working in corporate research go beyond the traditional survey methods. Instead, they use their research skills to conduct focus groups and better understand the needs of the consumer. Using this information, they can identify improvements to the organization's service or product to adequately meet the needs of the consumer.
  • Government careers: Anthropologists can work closely with a wide range of government organizations at the state or federal level in planning, research and managerial capacities. Police departments and museums often rely on forensic anthropologists to help identify mysterious remains. On the other hand, contract archaeology is a growing occupation in state and federal legislatures to assist in government-funded projects and their effect on cultural resources. According to the American Anthropological Association, the federal government is one of the largest employers of anthropologists outside of academia.2 SNHU graduate Celeste Cox '20, for example, is employed by Maine CDC (Center for Disease Control) as a case investigator/field epidemiologist. "I come into contact with a diverse group of people from all walks of life," said Cox. "Having this background is certainly beneficial. I've adopted a wide perspective and understanding of many cultures and beliefs."
  • Nonprofit and community-based careers: If designing programs and helping your community and the world become a better place is something that interests you, you might consider a career in the non-profit world. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often hire anthropologists to help design and implement new programs.

So, whether you pursue an academic career on campus or online, choose to work on a corporate team, take a job working with the state or federal government or work for a nonprofit organization, you'll graduate with skill sets valued by a range of employers – from urban and rural nonprofits to private firms to NGOs.

At Southern New Hampshire University, our online anthropology degree emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach that gives you the skills you need to apply for a wide range of positions in every area from global health advocacy to environmental and natural resources.

Potential job titles include:

Anthropologist/Archaeologist

Study the origin, development and behavior of humans. An advanced degree is often required. 

Environmental Scientist/Specialist

Use your knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.

Cultural Resource Manager

Manage heritage assets and other cultural resources, such as contemporary art.


Human Rights Advocate

Ensure the fair and equal treatment of all citizens and investigate/document violations.

Researcher

Collect, organize and analyze data to solve problems and identify/predict trends.

User Experience Designer

Create interactive programs that enhance a user's experience with a brand.

[Note: Some positions may require additional training.]

Job Growth and Salary

Prospects for roles in the anthropology field appear promising in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this increased demand is in part due to an aging population, opening new opportunities for the next generation of workers.1

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Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for anthropologists and archaeologists is expected to grow 6% through 2031, and the need for environmental scientists and specialists is projected to increase 5%.1

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Salary

Anthropologists and archaeologists earned a median annual salary of $61,910 in 2021, while environmental scientists and specialists earned $76,530.1

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Anthropology Degree

See the World Through a New Lens

Heather YorkHeather York, adjunct instructor and social sciences team lead

"Anthropology really teaches us the ways in which we're the same, even though it does that through the medium of exploring ways in which we're different."

Courses and Curriculum

The online anthropology degree has a strong foundation in archaeology, ethics and conservation. Core courses and concentrations stress the application of anthropological theory and methods to real-world problems through hands-on assignments, ethnographic case studies, data collection and the acquisition of skills in a specialty area. The program ends with a capstone course, where you'll have the opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills you've developed throughout your coursework.

Beyond learning how anthropology helps us understand society, you'll also have the chance to gain widely applicable skills in research methods, statistical analysis, critical thinking and effective communication, which could help you greatly as you consider your future career path.

Curriculum Requirements & Resources

General Education

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

Technology Resources

We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

Earn Math Credits

Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Tuition & Fees

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 30 credits 
Degree/Certificates $960 $320 $9,600
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* $675 $225 $6,750

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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