Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Anthropology, Bachelor of Science

VCU

Community college:
Any AA, AA&S, AS or AFA degree (Virginia Community College System)
Virginia Community College System
Associate degree

Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, or Associate of Fine Arts

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology champions a holistic comparative approach to the study of the emergence, evolution, and diverse development and expression of humanity. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to investigate and understand the nature of human beings as they interact with and transform their social and natural conditions of existence. Students develop a deep appreciation for the diversity and unity of humanity and acquire the knowledge, experience, and skills to interact effectively with diverse populations and support mutually beneficial relations.


The degree introduces students to the methods of investigation and analysis used by scholars in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and to anthropology’s sub-disciplines of archaeological, biological, linguistic, and socio-cultural anthropology. In doing so, the B.S. in Anthropology provides a well-rounded understanding of the interacting complexity of forces that we shape and which shape who we are. The Anthropology degree provides a strong foundation in the theories and practices of anthropology and flexibility for students to pursue their own course of study. As is true with World Studies’ degrees in Foreign Languages, International Studies, and Religious Studies, Anthropology offers students opportunities to engage in real world learning through internships, lab-based and field research, and study abroad programs.

Career opportunities

Students of anthropology acquire many skills relevant in today’s increasingly globalized economy in which the ability to communicate across cultures, think creatively, and see the world from diverse perspectives are vital to career success and life satisfaction. Anthropology majors are well prepared to work in public and private educational and cultural institutions, such as museums and preservation sites, as well as multinational corporations. All rely on persons with knowledge of human development and expression over time and place, have an appreciation for diverse forms of human experience and expression, and can understand and interact with diverse employees and customers.


Furthermore, students focusing on biological anthropology often follow professional paths in collection management, forensic science, or zoology. Anthropology majors graduate with excellent verbal and written communication skills transferable to a wide range or professions, making Anthropology majors especially valuable to growing businesses that seek to expand their operations into new areas requiring creativity, translating across cultures, and appreciation for human differences. Earning a B.S. in Anthropology is also considered an excellent foundation for advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry and other health-related fields.


We encourage students to double-major in Anthropology and one of the other majors degrees in the School of World Studies: Foreign Languages, International Studies or Religious Studies, as doing so strengthens their cumulative knowledge, experience, academic record and resume for success in whatever path they choose after graduation.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • City and Regional Planning Aids
  • Claims Examiner
  • Collection Management Assistant
  • Community Health Worker
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Geographer
  • Historian
  • Journalist
  • Legal Assistant
  • Mapping Technician
  • Marketing Research Analyst
  • Marketing Specialist
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Archaeologist
  • Archivist
  • Higher Education Administrator
  • Librarian
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 131
  • STAT 210
Science required
  • 1-2 additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.25+ major GPA

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Anthropology, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (Any AA, AA&S, AS or AFA degree)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Complete your math and english requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit your FAFSA on time.
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
  • Explore the School of World Studies website.
  • Explore museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events in the region.
  • Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
  • Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
  • Volunteer for community service projects.
  • Register to vote.
  • Attend diversity-focused events on your community college campus and in your community (e.g., international festival).
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
Experience Year 2
  • Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Be prepared: Once you enroll at VCU, your VCU GPA will be determined by your grades at VCU.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Learn about the World ePass and start considering how you will fulfill the experiential learning requirement for the bachelor's degree.
  • Meet with your community college advisor to finalize plans to complete your associate degree.
  • Apply to VCU.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the School of World Studies.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or School of World Studies-related events.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Complete your math and english requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit your FAFSA on time.
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Explore the School of World Studies website.
  • Explore museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events in the region.
  • Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
  • Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
  • Volunteer for community service projects.
  • Register to vote.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend diversity-focused events on your community college campus and in your community (e.g., international festival).
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Be prepared: Once you enroll at VCU, your VCU GPA will be determined by your grades at VCU.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Learn about the World ePass and start considering how you will fulfill the experiential learning requirement for the bachelor's degree.
  • Meet with your community college advisor to finalize plans to complete your associate degree.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply to VCU.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the School of World Studies.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or School of World Studies-related events.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Anthropology, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (Any AA, AA&S, AS or AFA degree)

Virginia Community College System courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 or 101 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 Major (Ancillary)
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 Major (Ancillary)
SOC 211 Cultural Anthropology ANTH 103 3 Major (Ancillary)
BIO 101 or BIO 106 General Biology I or Life Science BIOL/Z 151 or BIOL/Z 101 4 Major (Ancillary)
Humanities or Fine Arts Select one of the following (UCGS Block II): ART 100, ART 101, ART 102, CST 130, CST 151, MUS 121, MUS 221, MUS 222, MUS 226, HUM 201, HUM 202, HUM 210, HUM 216, HUM 220, HUM 256, HUM 259, PHI 100, PHI 111, PHI 220, REL 100, REL 230, REL 237, REL 240. VCU equivalent 3 General education
Humanities, Fine Arts or Literature Select one of the following (UCGS Block II): ART 100, ART 101, ART 102, CST 130, CST 151, MUS 121, MUS 221, MUS 222, MUS 226, HUM 201, HUM 202, HUM 210, HUM 216, HUM 220, HUM 256, HUM 259, PHI 100, PHI 111, PHI 220, REL 100, REL 230, REL 237, REL 240, ENG 225, ENG 245, ENG 246, ENG 250, ENG 255, ENG 258, ENG 275 (the course must come from a different group than the previous requirement). VCU equivalent 3 General education
History Select one of the following (UCGS Block VI): HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 122 VCU equivalent 3 General education
World Language or ASL World Language I or ASL 101 or elective (students are eligible for a waiver of VCU's language requirement if they successfully completed through the third level of a foreign language in high school). VCU equivalent 3 to 4 General education
World Language or ASL World Language II or ASL 102 or elective ((students are eligible for a waiver of VCU's language requirement if they successfully completed through the third level of a foreign language in high school). VCU equivalent 3 to 4 General education
Complete requirements for associate degree VCU equivalents 23 to 25 Elective
Community college credits transferred to VCU 60
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Experiential learning requirement Students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study-abroad program. See VCU advisor for options. 0 to 3 Major (Ancillary)
ANTH 105/INTL 104 Introduction to Archaeology 3 Major (Ancillary)
ANTH 301/BIOL 341 Human Evolution 4 Major
ANTH 302 Archaeological Theory 3 Major
ANTH 399 Junior Seminar 1 Major
ANTH 454 Theory in Cultural Anthropology 3 Major
ANTH 490 Anthropology Senior Capstone 3 Major
ANTH Select two from: ANTH 210, ANTH 220, or ANTH 230 6 Major
Methods Select two from: ANTH 303, ANTH 315, or ANTH 328 6 Major
ANTH Select at least two courses from the approved ANTH elective list (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
WRLD 495 World ePass Portfolio 0 Major (Ancillary)
Upper-level electives (300 or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major. Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 22 Elective
REAL The REAL requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a 300-level (or higher) course that has received a REAL attribute of Level 2, 3 or 4 or through an approved “REAL” co-curricular experience that has received a REAL attribute of Level 3 or 4. See VCU advisor for options. 0 Major
Credits completed at VCU 60
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 120