Associate of Arts Degree in Anthropology
San Mateo, USA
Associate of Arts
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 4,512 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for a 12-unit semester | 376 USD per unit | non-inclusive of miscellaneous fees
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
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.
Major Requirements
| Required Core Courses: 9 units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 110 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 units |
| ANTH 125 | Biological Anthropology | 3 units |
| ANTH 350 | Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory | 3 units |
| Required Selective Courses: List A: Select 3-4 units from the following: | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 units |
| PSYC 121 | Basic Statistical Concepts | 3 units |
| Required Selective Courses: List B: Select 6-7 units from the following: | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 250 | Human Anatomy | 4 units |
| GEOL 100 | Survey of Geology | 3 units |
| AND | ||
| GEOL 101 | Geology Laboratory | 1 unit |
| PSYC 120 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 units |
| SOCI 121 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 units |
| Required Selective Courses: List C: Select 3 units from the following: | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 127 | Biological Anthropology Laboratory | 1 unit |
| COMM 150 | Intercultural Communication | 3 units |
| GEOG 110 | Cultural Geography | 3 units |
| MUS. 250 | World Music | 3 units |
| PHIL 300 | Introduction to World Religions | 3 units |
| SOCI 141 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 units |
| ANTH 180 | Magic, Science and Religion | 3 units |
Total Required Major Units: 21 - 23
General Education:
Completion of Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum)
Elective courses:
Additional CSU or UC transferable courses needed to meet the minimum 60 CSU transferable unit requirement.
Students majoring in Anthropology have opportunities in archeology, cultural resource management, environmental impact analysis, ethnic relations, ethnology, exhibit design, expeditions, film ethnography, health research, linguistics, museum curatorship, population analysis, public information, recreation, redevelopment, social gerontology, social services consultation, transcultural nursing, travel consultation, and urban planning.
Students completing this program will be able to:
- Analyze anthropological concepts and theories
- Evaluate diverse viewpoints and evidence related to the human population.
- Produce evidence-based arguments.
The San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV) offer more than 50 institutional scholarships each year, and all enrolled students are eligible to apply. Award amounts range from $300 to $7,000, helping make college more affordable. Students can also apply for external scholarships, such as the $1,000 Study in California Scholarship, to further support their educational journey.