COURSE CURRICULUM

Anthropology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in both online and in-person formats, providing students with a flexible pathway to study human origins, cultures, evolution, and societies. The program begins with introductory courses that familiarize students with the history, methods, and perspectives of anthropology before moving into advanced upper-division coursework focused on archaeology, cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology. Students gain theoretical knowledge along with practical research and analytical skills that help them understand human behavior, cultural diversity, and social development across different periods and societies. To complete the degree, students must declare the anthropology major by the time they finish 60 semester hours and complete at least 35 semester hours in anthropology courses with a minimum grade of C- in each course. At least 24 credit hours must be upper-division courses, and a minimum of 21 semester hours must be completed through UC Denver faculty. The required curriculum includes foundational courses such as Introduction to Archaeology, Introduction to Biological Anthropology, Culture and the Human Experience, Foundations of Cultural Anthropology, World Prehistory, and Human Evolution, totaling 20 required credits. Students also complete 15 elective credits that allow them to explore specialized topics and deeper theoretical investigations related to the human experience. Recommended electives include Quantitative Methods in Anthropology and Integrating Anthropology, which help students strengthen research, data analysis, and interdisciplinary understanding. The program prepares students for careers and further studies in fields such as archaeology, education, healthcare, social services, cultural resource management, public policy, environmental studies, and international development. By combining scientific, cultural, and historical perspectives, the anthropology degree equips students with critical thinking, communication, and research skills valuable in a wide range of professional and academic environments.