How to Become an Anthropologist?

Back in the school days, you must have been taught about human evolution and how we evolved from apes as well as the primal practices like hunting, food gathering as well as the usage of various tools and fire. If we consider the current cultural diversity and lifestyles of roughly 7.5 billion people residing across the globe, have you ever thought about how humans have come across various cultural practices since their evolution from apes? Are you intrigued by this question and want to unravel such mysteries? If yes, then you must consider studying the field of Anthropology. Here is a blog which aims to elucidate upon the career path of becoming an Anthropologist.

Recommended Read: Career in Ethnography

Who is an Anthropologist?

Anthropology can be defined as the study of various aspects of humans in the past and present societies. An individual engaged with the practice of anthropology is known as anthropologist. As an anthropologist, one covers a wide variety of topics at the UG level of study and might pursue a specialization in the later stages. Some of the forms of anthropology include –  Social anthropology, cultural anthropology and philosophical anthropology.

Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree

If you aspire to become an Anthropologist, you must begin by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology or any related specialisation to get the foundational knowledge of what this field of study is about. Here are the key requirements you must fulfil in order to apply for an undergraduate degree in Anthropology.

• Formal schooling of 10+2 with Science or Arts Stream from a recognized institution.
• For those planning to study anthropology abroad, you must provide language proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc along with an SOP (Statement of Purpose) and LORs (Letter of Recommendation).

Note: The aforementioned requirements are only for indicative purposes. Students are advised to go through the university website to know about the eligibility criteria of their chosen course in detail.

The general duration of undergraduate courses in Anthropology is usually around 3-4 years and aim to impart students with the basic concepts of this field. Here is a list of leading courses which you can opt for to get a step closer towards becoming an Anthropologist.

BA in Anthropology	BS in Sociology, Anthropology	BA in Indigenous Studies
BA in Anthropology Education	BA Business in Sociology and Anthropology	BS in Bioanthropology (BANT)

Must Explore: Anthropology Syllabus

Selecting the right institution for your dream course is one of the most important steps to take towards carving your dream career. For all those aspiring to become an anthropologist, here is a list of universities which avail the aforementioned courses: 

• The University of Winnipeg
• University of Delaware 
• Lakehead University 
• University of Liverpool
• Iowa State University
• Pace University 
• Virginia Commonwealth University 
• University of Arizona
• The University of Adelaide (UoA) 

Step 2: Gain Work Experience 

After successfully obtaining an undergraduate degree, the next step is to explore suitable internships and training opportunities. You can assist research scholars, discover internships at research institutions, archaeology department or related non-profit organisations. It is important to gain some full-time industry experience in your journey of becoming an anthropologist, as it will equip you with the right amount of exposure needed for seeking a master’s degree.

Step 3: Earn A Master’s Degree

Now that you have gained valuable experience through an internship, you must opt for a postgraduate degree to earn a specialisation in Anthropology. Postgraduate studies will level up your expertise as well as cement your foundational knowledge in this field. In order to become an Anthropologist, you can furnish your expertise in fields like Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, Biological Anthropology etc. As per the general entry requisites, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 1-2 years of work experience in the same or relevant field to opt for a master’s degree. Below-mentioned are some of the prominent postgraduate courses in Anthropology:

MA (Research) in Sociology and Anthropology	Master of Philosophy (Sociology and Anthropology)	MA in Anthropology
Graduate Certificate in Medical Anthropology	MSc in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology	MS in Biomedical Anthropology

Step 4: Explore Career Opportunities/Pursue PhD 

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Generally, after completing a master’s degree, many candidates find work opportunities as research assistants or as part of Archaeological organisations. But, if you aim to steer towards a career in research or academia, then you must pursue a PhD degree in Anthropology. However, this is not a compulsory step in the pathway of becoming an Anthropologist. Earning the utmost level degree in this field, you can delve deeper into the research practices. 

Recommended Read: Scope of Sociology as a Career

Top Colleges India

Listed below are the top colleges where students can apply to pursue anthropology courses in India.

1. Loyola College, Chennai
2. TISS, Mumbai
3. Kirori Mal College, Delhi
4. Punjabi University, Punjab
5. Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
6. Stella Maris College, Chennai
7. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

Job Roles and Career Scope

The job profiles as an anthropologist are multiple. Candidates can work as –

1. Anthropologist
2. Scientist
3. Field Investigator
4. Academic Anthropologist
5. Economic Anthropologist
6. Medical Researcher

For those who wish to become an anthropologist , the career scope is indeed exciting. The salary as an anthropologist varies depending upon the years of experience. In India, the starting salary is around Rs 2 lakh per annum and goes up to Rs 4 lakh per annum with time.

Thus, we hope that this blog about how to become an Anthropologist has provided you with ample information to establish your career in this field. Book an e-meeting with our Leverage Edu experts and we will help you choose the best course and university in this field that can equip you with the requisite knowledge and exposure to build a rewarding career in Anthropology