Anthropology
Anthropology Heading link
Anthropology is the study of human cultural and biological diversity across time and space. As the economy and workforce in the 21st century become increasingly international, anthropology can offer analytical and methodological tools to help expand our understanding of human diversity. As a discipline, it approaches human questions holistically, using a combination of historical, biological, linguistic, and cultural perspectives.
The UIC Department of Anthropology offers programs in anthropology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and a graduate program in geography. Expert faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) help students understand complex social issues, their causes, and potential solutions through courses and training in archaeology, biological anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology. Anthropology graduates find exciting careers in the social sciences, medicine, public health, government, urban planning, law, business, and many other professions.
See how other students found their fit below with this major!
Alumni Highlights Heading link
Below is a sample of how UIC alumni have applied their anthropology major to a professional path!
- Archaeologist I, Environmental Resources Management
- Community Outreach Worker, Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- GIS Data Projects Manager and Anthropology Librarian, Washington University in St. Louis
- Grants Contract Administrator, Oregon Health and Science University
- History Specialist, Everett Public Library
- Laboratory Animal Care Technician, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Manager of Emergency Management Services, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, City of Chicago
- Mortgage Loan Coordinator, The Federal Savings Bank
- Museum Archivist, The Field Museum
- Reference and Programming Librarian, La Grange Public Library
Unique Skills and Highlights Heading link
In addition to the foundational set of skills and competencies you will acquire in any liberal arts and science major, there are also unique skills and perspectives you gain from your anthropology major. Review the list below to learn more:
- Understand the interconnected cultural, technological, and biological factors that shape the human experience through time
- Ability to bring a comparative, cross-cultural, and deeply historical perspective to contemporary problems
- Ability to carry out both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and to conduct quantitative and qualitative research
- Ability to understand global social and cultural processes in contemporary urban and rural settings
- Ability to understand the broad factors contributing to human health and illness through a cross-cultural lens
- Ability to understand the relationships between humans and their environments across cultures and through time; as well as to understand environmental problems and potential solutions
Industry Clusters Heading link
There are many workplace settings, industries, and career areas in which you can apply your major based on your professional interests. Below is a sample list of industry clusters that other anthropology majors have transitioned into. What type of setting or career focus appeals to you?
- Archaeology: Biological, Cultural, Linguistic,
- Arts, Media, and Communications
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Cultural and Museum Studies
- Education
- Ethnography and Market Research
- Government, International Affairs, and Policy
- Healthcare and Wellness
- Law and Legal Services
- Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations
- Science and Research
- Social Services
Anthropology Advising Webinar
Meet Toni Degraff! Heading link
“I am thinking of becoming a lawyer, and although anthropology seems incompatible with law; they actually have a lot in common with each other. Anthropology has taught me to examine things closely while still maintaining focus of the big picture. Anthropology has also made me more open-minded and I think in law maintaining an unbiased, clean slate approach to a situation is necessary.”
Meet Andrew Kracinski! Heading link
“At first, I had an interest to program codes for computers. However, I found no sense of adventure or enjoyment in it. At this point, I began to think about switching to anthropology as my major. I went to Belize in 2015 and saw Maya temples dating back over a thousand years and I was struck with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and the need to learn more. This feeling that hasn’t left me since I chose anthropology. I met like-minded individuals who had similar interests to myself and knew that I had found the right major for me.”