Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Program Overview

Anthropology, in its broadest sense, is the study of what it is to be human. The discipline differs from all others that study human beings because it is holistic, historic, global and comparative. It helps us understand human differences and similarities across the world and through time, including

• cultures
• social organization
• languages
• environmental relationships
• physical and genetic diversity

Anthropology at Athabasca University advocates a 4-field approach.

• Archaeology reconstructs the lives of ancient peoples by documenting and analyzing the material remains left behind.
• Biological anthropology focuses on our biological diversity and evolution, including comparative studies of non-human primates.
• Sociocultural anthropology explores and explains the social and cultural diversity of the present and the recent past.
• Linguistic anthropology studies the history, structure and function of language.

Why take the Bachelor of Arts?

The Bachelor of Arts strengthens critical and creative thinking through a broad range of social, political and cultural studies. The program is designed to

• broaden your perspective on local and global affairs
• encourage community and social involvement
• prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity

Routes and options

The Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology is an online, 4-year degree program. There are no set start dates – you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.

Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology major (4-year online degree)

• A 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.
• The 4-year BA program allows you to pursue either a double major or a minor.
  • Double majors must meet the requirements for both majors, which may restrict course selection or require additional credits above the 120 required for the BA.
  • You should talk to an academic advisor about your program and courses if you’re considering a double major.
  • To earn a minor you must complete 30 credits in that subject area.
  • List of minors
    • Canadian Studies 
    • English 
    • French 
    • Global Studies 
    • History 
    • Humanities 
    • Inclusive Education 
    • Labour Studies 
    • Philosophy 
    • Political Economy 
    • Political Science 
    • Psychology 
    • Public Administration 
    • Sociology 
    • Women's and Gender Studies
• AU does not offer an Honours BA.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 3 or 4 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.

Admission Requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

How to Apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Transfer and Advanced Credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

• Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Program Requirements

To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major or minor.

• Requirements: Bachelor of Arts 4-year
  • Requirements: Anthropology major

Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

• Program plan: Anthropology major

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

• Calculate your course cost

You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. We have also provided at-a-glance estimates below. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to

•  Discuss past and present human social, linguistic, and biological diversity and evolution through the engagement of cross-cultural studies research.
• Integrate approaches and findings from archaeology, biological anthropology, anthropological linguistics, and socio-cultural anthropology to adopt a holistic and comparative approach that recognizes human differences and similarities across the world and through time.
• Employ basic anthropological concepts, terminology, and theory for the appreciation of anthropology’s history and context.

Skills Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to

• Draw upon anthropological research methods in the critical analysis of research methodology used in studies in anthropology and other disciplines.
• Critically evaluate original anthropological datasets, including diverse scholarly and popular sources, to better address methodological / theoretical problems and issues.
• Employ university-level skills in information literacy and academic integrity when writing research papers regarding anthropological subjects.

Value Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to

• Avoid cultural and social assumptions that form the bases of human prejudice and discrimination in their research and professional careers.
• Use anthropological insights that foster tolerance and appreciation for the diversity of human cultures, ways of life, and the value of human diversity.

Possible career options

• Archivist
• Conservator
• Cultural Resource Manager
• Customer Service Agent
• Employment Recruiter
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
• Ethnographer/Ethnologist
• Events Co-ordinator
• Field Archeologist
• Foreign Service Officer
• Forensic Scientist or Specialist
• Government Policy Analyst
• Heritage Assistant
• Human Resources Specialist
• Immigration Officer
• Laboratory Assistant
• Librarian
• Linguist
• Lobbyist
• Management Trainee
• Market Research Analyst
• Medical Anthropologist
• Multicultural Education Specialist
• Museum Technician/Assistant
• National/Provincial Park Interpreter or Service Supervisor
• Palaeoanthropologist or palaeontologist
• Preservation/Restoration Assistant
• Primatologist
• Probation Officer
• Refugee Services Coordinator
• Researcher
• Social Worker
• Travel Agent
• University Professor
• Volunteer Co-ordinator
• Writer

Continuing Education

At Athabasca University:

• Master of Arts – Integrated Studies (MAIS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education in Distance Education (MEd)
• Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling (MC)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling

At Other Educational Institutions*

• graduate studies in anthropology or other related/unrelated disciplines
• counselling
• library science
• public health/medicine
• social work
• community development
• foreign affairs
• journalism
• urban planning
• law
• police studies
• environmental impact assessment
• education
• teaching English as a second language (TESL)

* Some universities will not accept a three-year degree for admittance into a graduate program. An additional year of study may be required. Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other universities.