SUNY New Paltz offers an in-depth anthropology program that studies the holistic nature of humankind across geographic and historical contexts. It covers main subfields like cultural and linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology, emphasizing how inequality influences human bodies, material culture, and life pursuits. The program integrates classroom learning with experiential and research opportunities, aiming to foster critical thinking, research skills, and responsible citizenship. Students explore diverse case studies from around the world and learn various theoretical approaches and methodologies. The curriculum emphasizes outside-classroom participation, including departmental events, professional development, and research ethics, preparing students for careers in graduate studies, education, community work, law, health sectors, public service, forensics, environmental sustainability, and cultural resource management. The program promotes understanding of human diversity, mutual respect, and collaborative solutions to global challenges, embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the teaching and research practices.
Why this course is highly recommended
The program’s emphasis on understanding human diversity within social and environmental contexts, along with its focus on inequality, makes it valuable for students interested in global issues. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experiential learning, research opportunities, and engagement with professional organizations, equipping students with practical skills and critical insights for diverse career paths.
Students can choose between a general course of study or focus on specific concentrations such as Gender, Health and the Body, or Representation and Identity. These concentrations tailor the major towards particular interests within anthropology, allowing students to deepen their understanding in chosen areas.
Application fees
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1st year tuition fees
14.40L
Living cost
The course includes a Field Engagements requirement, which involves attending six departmental events, participating in the Anthropology Student Research Symposium, completing bibliographic research and ethics training through specified courses, and engaging with a professional academic organization. Some components, like research ethics and bibliographic training, are integrated into the Research Methods in Anthropology course, typically taken in the senior year. The program encourages active community and professional engagement for full degree completion.

English language test
Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria,
and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the State University of New York at New Paltz admission page
for complete details.
Graduates of this anthropology program are prepared for a wide array of careers including graduate study, teaching, community organizing, business, law, health-related fields, public service, forensics, environmental sustainability, and cultural resource management. The program’s focus on diversity and experiential learning helps students develop skills applicable in many professional settings.