25 Archaeology and Anthropology Associate of Arts Programs

The Associate Degree in Anthropology has a discipline that breaks down into four subfields. Cultural Anthropology deals with the social lives of people. Archaeology focuses on material remains. Physical Anthropology compares human biology. Anthropological Linguistics deals with aspects of language.

In anthropology, students develop a critical analysis necessary to become world citizens, through studying a multitude of interrelated elements of what makes humans unique among all creatures on Earth. Unlike other social sciences, which often focus narrowly on only a few aspects of humanity, anthropology offers an integrated study of human culture, society, biology, and communication, from the time of our earliest evolution until the present moment.

Anthropology is a broad discipline which employs both pure science and practical application to all aspects of human populations. The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer into bachelor's degree programs in Anthropology and similar programs at a CSU campus and guarantees admission to the CSU system.

Where did we come from? What makes us human? How are we similar to and different from other people? Where do we go from here? If these questions inspire you, you may enjoy an anthropology career. Anthropology is the holistic study of humanity. We draw from biology, social sciences, and humanities to better understand our experiences as humans. Anthropology graduates pursue careers in academia, government, cultural and natural resources, medicine, public health, forensics, museums, tourism, and business.

Study humankind, from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day, and learn principles of behavior that apply to all human communities. This program provides a well-rounded foundation in the primary subfields of anthropology, including archaeology and biological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology. This program prepares students to transfer as an anthropology major at the junior level at our primary transfer universities, including the University of Washington-Seattle, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Pacific Lutheran University, and others.

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer Degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution as anthropology majors. In this program, the students gain exposure to the four subfields of anthropology (biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology).

The Associate in Arts Degree in Anthropology for Transfer is intended for students interested in transferring to a California State University (CSU) campus with a major in Anthropology, or similar major.

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer Degree explores these topics through holistic, multidisciplinary, and cross-cultural lenses. It focuses on a critical analysis of human variation, including evolutionary pathways, sociocultural adaptations, technology and material culture, language patterns, belief systems, biocultural diversity, and more within prehistorical, historical, and contemporary contexts.

Intended to meet the lower division requirements for anthropology majors or majors that have been deemed similar in the California State University (CSU) system. Successful completion of the degree affords students specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system such as admission to a CSU with junior status, priority admission to their local CSU campus, and to a program or major in anthropology or similar major. Students transferring to a CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 semester or 90 quarter units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree.

By combining several subfields (biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and applied anthropology), anthropology bridges the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities.

An Associate of Arts degree with Designation in anthropology prepares students to advance into future studies. Anthropology imparts a global, comparative, and historical (evolutionary) approach to human studies.

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (AA-T in Anthropology) degree program has been developed to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of anthropology and its four main sub-fields: Cultural Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics.

The study of humans in the past and present, anthropologists look at human behaviour and societies to find answers to how early humans lived, why we behave the way we do in the present and how that could impact our future. Cultural anthropology looks at topics such as linguistics, society, religion and politics, while physical anthropology includes the subfields of archaeology and forensic anthropology, exploring human behaviour through the examination of material remains.

Anthropology is the study of what makes us human. Some anthropologists study the past through archaeology, to see how human groups lived hundreds or thousands of years ago to the recent times. Others gain an understanding of different societies around the world by living among them and immersing themselves in their daily lives. Still others focus on human biology, evolution, and forensics. The Anthropology Department offers a wide range of online and in-class lecture-based and hands-on courses for general interest or for working toward an eventual major.

Allen’s associate degree in Anthropology prepares students for successful transfer to university study by providing a solid foundation in anthropology and related social sciences.