Anthropology Pathway Guide

Preparation for Transfer as an Anthropology Major

The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as an anthropology major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed.  If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide  for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

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The Department of Anthropology

The Anthropology Department  at SMU prepares undergraduate students to meet the increasing demand for a scientifically trained and globally minded workforce. Students study human behavior and societies by adopting a cross-cultural perspective regarding the customs, cultures, languages, and social lives of different peoples around the world. Human populations of the prehistoric past, in places like the American Southwest, are also studied. The study of the fossil record, forensics, and primates also provide clues about the origins and evolution of humans.

Why Anthropology?

First, the material is intellectually exciting: anthropology students enthusiastically complete their courses of study.

Second, anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths: the course of study provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.

Today’s anthropologists do not just work in exotic locations. They can be found in corporations, all levels of government, educational institutions, and non-profit associations. Anthropologists even work in disaster areas, including Ground Zero in New York and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Departmental Highlights

• Internationally recognized faculty offer strong preparation for living and working in a rapidly globalizing world, and for understanding who we are and from where we have come.
• Undergraduate students have opportunities to be involved in faculty research in diverse locales.
• Faculty specialization in both archaeology and cultural anthropology; courses are also offered in biological anthropology and linguistics.
• Strengths in the anthropological study of health/medicine, migration, gender, development, and globalization.
• An archaeological field school at Fort Burgwin near Taos, New Mexico.
• Courses cover virtually all the peoples of the world and address important contemporary global issues.
• Opportunities for internships in diverse settings.
• Student Anthropology Club and Lambda Alpha (National Honorary Society) organize programs for students.

Anthropology Degree Plans

The Anthropology Department offers four majors and five minors:

• B.A. in Anthropology (38 credit hrs)  
• B.S. in Anthropology (50 credit hrs)  
• B.A. in Health and Society (35 - 36 credit hrs)  
• B.S. in Health and Society (43 - 44 credit hrs)  
   
• Archaeology Minor (15 - 16 credit hrs)    
• Biomedical Anthropology Minor (18 credit hrs)    
• Cultural Anthropology Minor (15 credit hrs)   
• Environmental Anthropology Minor (15 credit hrs)  
• General Anthropology Minor (15 credit hrs)   

SMU Degree

A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 120 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:

• Courses in your major.
• Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC) .
• Elective courses.  These electives may also be used to add a second major or minor. 

The Common Curriculum (CC)

The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components: 

1. Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language. 
2. Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
3. Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

Apply Now!

Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.