Cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology that requires specific courses and extensive study of a selected culture. Other branches include linguistic anthropology, biographical anthropology, and archeology. Cultural anthropology majors should choose a minor that supports their career goals, such as business for those interested in administration or museum jobs. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years and requires over 30 credits in anthropology and 15 in the chosen minor. Fluency in a foreign language may be required for graduate programs. Cultural anthropologists can work for companies, museums, research centers, or governments.
Cultural anthropology is one of the four branches of anthropology, and in order to become a cultural anthropologist, you will generally take courses specifically designed for the cultural anthropology branch of anthropology. Cultural anthropology students are sometimes required to complete extensive study of a selected culture to qualify for a degree in that field. The exact specifics of the course depend on whether you are looking for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
There are three other branches of anthropology – linguistic anthropology, biographical anthropology and archeology – and all four branches relate to the study of human behavior. When choosing cultural anthropology as a major, it is helpful for you to know what kind of job you might want to get when you graduate. You must select a minor that will support your job search. For example, if you plan to be an administrator or work in the business sector, you might want to work with a business minor. Some of the other jobs available for a cultural anthropologist include research for public and private companies, museum jobs or teaching positions.
Generally, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent is a four-year course. Many colleges and universities require you to have more than 30 credits for an anthropology major and another 15 credits for your chosen minor. Cultural anthropology classes may include Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Language and Society, Anthropology of War and Peace, and similar classes. You should check with the faculty for any prerequisites needed to become a cultural anthropologist. A school may require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Most students graduate from colleges or universities, but there are several ways to earn a degree in cultural anthropology. You can take classes on campus, through distance learning, or a combination of both. Not all schools have distance learning. Some students can attend required liberal arts classes at cheaper two-year colleges, but credits from some schools do not transfer to other colleges or universities. You should consult your school guidance counselor to learn more.
Often, a school requires its students to be competent in a foreign language and familiar with the corresponding culture in order to complete a graduate program. If you want to become a cultural anthropologist with a PhD or equivalent, you may want to select language classes during your undergraduate years. A school counselor can help you make effective class choices.
As companies become more global, many of them seek the services of cultural anthropologists because they study human behavior, including the behavior of groups of people. You may decide to become a cultural anthropologist who can help a company understand the customs of its foreign customers and suppliers.
Companies often hire cultural anthropologists who hold at least a bachelor’s degree, but many require a master’s degree. By studying various job descriptions and requirements, you can plan your school accordingly.
Another area of employment could be museums and research centers that study the changes the global economy is creating in underdeveloped countries. If you want to become a cultural anthropologist who researches this type of information, you can contact some museums and ask what educational requirements they have for researchers. Sometimes national and regional governments hire cultural anthropologists.
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