Cultural Anthropology, B.A.

Offered by Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health .

Anthropology is the worldwide comparative study of humankind, present and past. The subfield of cultural anthropology examines the relationship of culture, human meaning, and the social, political, and economic forces that affect our worlds. The Cultural Anthropology, B.A. provides students conceptual tools and research skills to understand cultural diversity, social organization, and personal experience, both within the United States and around the world.

Anthropology courses ask students to engage in critical analysis, evaluate social theories, and apply qualitative research methods. Students explore critical contemporary problems, globalization, urban life, family, gender, health, and technology, to name just a few topic areas, all in a cross-cultural frame. The department also offers a three-course sequence on physical and forensic anthropology. Cultural anthropology majors complete their own independent research projects as part of their capstone methods course.

Cultural anthropology majors learn to gather and analyze complex material, communicate across differences, and recognize how cultural perspectives shape events and interactions. Upon graduation, students are well prepared to obtain employment in the increasingly diverse workforce, pursue graduate and professional training, and engage effectively in a complex world.

SAPH also offers an Anthropology Minor .

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 31 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major

Course Requirements

Core Requirements (13 credits)

Complete the following:

Elective Requirements (18 credits)

Complete 18 additional credits from ANTH or SOCY, including a minimum of 12 credits in ANTH, a maximum of 6 credits in SOCY, a minimum of 12 credits at the 300 level or above, and excluding SOCY 396 and any other P/F courses, from the following or other approved courses:

Four-Year Academic Pathways

The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals.

Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. A student may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which they are majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website.