The Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Washington offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration into the diverse aspects of human life, culture, and evolution. This program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural facets of humanity through rigorous coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Students will investigate the origins of humans, the development of societies, and the myriad ways in which cultures adapt and thrive in different environments across history and geography. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with practical applications, enabling students to critically analyze anthropological data, conduct fieldwork, and engage with contemporary issues such as globalization, human rights, and cultural preservation. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, the program encourages collaborative research and fosters analytical thinking, cultural awareness, and ethical responsibility. Students have access to world-class faculty renowned for their research and expertise in areas such as biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and social anthropology. The program also offers numerous opportunities for internships, study abroad experiences, and research projects that prepare graduates for careers in academia, museums, public policy, non-governmental organizations, and cultural resource management. Graduates of the Anthropology program at the University of Washington emerge with a well-rounded perspective on human diversity and a suite of skills applicable in a rapidly changing world. The program is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and encouraging students to engage critically with the complexities of human societies. Whether students are interested in studying ancient civilizations, understanding contemporary cultural issues, or pursuing advanced research, the Anthropology undergraduate program provides a strong foundation to pursue their academic and professional goals.

The UW General Catalog entry for the anthropology major is here and is reproduced below.

Core Courses (20 credits):

• BIO A 201: Principles of Biocultural Anthropology (5 credits);
• ANTH: Any 200 level ANTH course (5 credits);
• ARCHY 205: Principles of Archaeology (5 credits);
• One of the following: CS&SS/SOC/STAT 221, STAT 220, STAT 311, Q SCI 381 or ARCHY 495. Occasionally other basic statistics courses may be accepted upon petition to the departmental advising office.

Electives (35 credits):

• 35 additional ANTH, ARCHY, and BIO A credits distributed across the subfields or concentrated as suits the interests of the student. 20 of these credits must be in upper-division (300- or 400-level) courses. Students may count one 100-level ANTH, ARCHY, or BIO A course toward the major, but are not required to do so;
• The following AIS courses may apply toward this requirement:  AIS 201, AIS 202, AIS 203, AIS 240, AIS 311, AIS 312, AIS 316, AIS 317, AIS 330, AIS 335, AIS 340, AIS 443.

Maximum 12 credits (18 for Honors students) from ANTH 499, ARCHY 499, and BIO A 499 combined can be counted toward the major.

Admission to the standard anthropology major requires the following:

• A minimum of 15 ANTH/ARCHY/BIO A credits;

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for ANTH/ARCHY/BIO A credits, with no less than a 2.0 in each course;

• A minimum GPA of 2.5 for all prior college work including transfer credits.

Students are admitted all quarters and there are no quarterly deadlines.

The University of Washington offers various funding options for students enrolled in its Anthropology programs. Financial assistance is available through federal and state grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study opportunities. Undergraduate students can apply for need-based financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The university also provides a range of merit-based scholarships specifically for Anthropology majors, which are awarded based on academic achievement, contributions to the community, and potential for success in the field. Graduate students pursuing Master's or Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology can seek funding through departmental fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and external grants. These positions often include tuition waivers and stipends to support students financially during their studies. The university encourages students to explore external scholarship opportunities from professional organizations, government agencies, and private foundations related to anthropology and social sciences. Additionally, the Anthropology department may have specific bursaries or prizes awarded to outstanding students. Students are advised to consult the university’s Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships for comprehensive information about application procedures, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Furthermore, some programs may qualify students for specialized funding such as research grants or project-specific bursaries that support fieldwork, conferences, and research activities. Overall, the University of Washington strives to make anthropology education financially accessible through a combination of institutional aid, external funding sources, and work opportunities, enabling students to focus on their academic and research pursuits without undue financial burden.

Anthropology is the study of human beings in all their cultural and biological diversity. It includes the study of human evolution, the archaeological record, language and culture, the relationship between humans and their environment, and cultural modes of being as these differ in time and space. In studying anthropology, students can better understand how to find ways to live together in today's world, respecting cultural diversity while building upon common human values.

The study of anthropology at the University of Washington comprises three sub-disciplines:

• Archaeology is the study of the human past through investigation of material remains (artifacts, food remains, features, structures, etc.) and their relationships in space and time.
• Biocultural anthropology focuses on understanding human variation through the study of the ecological, demographic, genetic, developmental, paleontological, and epidemiological dimensions of modern human adaptation and its evolutionary basis.
• Sociocultural anthropology is the study of human societies, their cultures and histories, and the circuits of power and exchange that link them to the world at large.

Study at the undergraduate level can further entail any of four optional tracks: Medical Anthropology and Global Health, Anthropology of Globalization, Archaeological Sciences, and Human Evolutionary Biology.

Tracks and Options

After completing required courses within the anthropology core, students can elect to focus on one area or take courses in different areas within the major. There are three informal tracks in which students may wish to concentrate their studies. These are:

• Archaeology: The exploration of human prehistory through evidence of past human activities. 
• Biocultural Anthropology: The study of the evolution and adaptation of the human species, non-human primates, and modern human populations.
• Sociocultural Anthropology: The study of culture broadly conceived, including language and symbolic systems, practices, and identities.