Archaeology and Applied Anthropology (BS)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology and Applied Anthropology at Indiana State?

Indiana State University’s Bachelor of Science in Archaeology and Applied Anthropology provides a deep understanding of human life on Earth from prehistory to today. The degree is excellent preparation for careers with museums, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. 

Study Human Origins 

Archaeologists and anthropologists go beyond studying fossils. They study the human experience in both past and present contexts via human biology, archaeology, and language, as well as allied fields such as history. Through hands-on research—including forensic analysis of human remains, digital mapping, and life history analysis—and lab work, field trips, coursework, and internships, you will examine cultures, languages, archaeological remains, and physical characteristics of people from across the globe. You will also learn to interpret objects as you collect data, implement excavation projects, study human origins, and investigate the past. 

As an archaeology and applied anthropology major, you will have the option to personalize your elective courses to cover a broad curriculum of topics or to be more specific to your career goals. Your curriculum is enhanced with lectures and presentations from visiting archaeologists and anthropologists.   

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

The Department of Earth and Environmental Systems is proud to feature professors who bring scholarly and field experience in archaeology and anthropology topics to every class and lab space. They educate students in traditional archaeology and anthropology disciplines and other research areas, including the origins of humans, the relationship between humans and the environment, forensics, and interpreting objects and sites of historical relevance. 

In the archaeology and applied anthropology program, you will have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led research projects, fieldwork, and field trips. Our small class sizes ensure that your professors are able to provide personalized feedback and one-on-one mentorship.

Receive Expert Assistance in Our Labs  

Your education is enhanced with practical, hands-on experience in research labs. The Department of Earth and Environmental Systems has seven highly equipped on-campus and field site laboratories where students can conduct research, including: 

• Atmosphere and Ocean Systems Laboratory 
• Biogeochemistry Laboratory
• Geospatial and Virtual Archaeology Laboratory and Studio
• Dendrochronology Laboratory
• Paleoecology and Micro-Archaeology Laboratory
• Paleolimnology Laboratory
• Visualization Classroom 

What You'll Learn in the Archaeology and Applied Anthropology BS Program

The BS in archaeology and applied anthropology emphasizes common interests in archaeology and anthropology topics such as archaeological methods, anthropological theories, human biology, digital mapping, digital heritage, forensic analysis, world cultures, and language. The program features laboratory assignments and hands-on learning with field experience trips and internships. 

Your education in the program will conclude with a required anthropology field school project involving intensive training in biological, cultural, and archaeological methods in data collection and laboratory analyses at a selected field station. 

Career Possibilities for Archaeology and Applied Anthropology Majors

Many archaeologists and anthropologists work in the field and conduct excavation digs, while others contribute to museums and perform administrative tasks. Indiana State’s Archaeology and Applied Anthropology BS program prepares you to work in museums, foundations, non-profit organizations, cultural resource management firms, law, medicine, social services, schools, state and federal agencies, historical societies, and libraries, among others. Many of our students also pursue graduate study. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of anthropologists and archaeologists is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average of all occupations. The median annual wage was $63,800 in May 2023. 

Employment is also projected to grow in other archaeology and anthropology-related fields: 

• Archivists, curators, and museum workers: 10% with the median annual wage at $57,120 
• Historians: 3% with the median annual wage at $72,890 

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.