Female student studying in the library stacks

Anthropology

orange sprite

Study Anthropology at Fordham

About the anthropology major

At Fordham, anthropology bridges the humanities and social sciences to give students a strong cultural and analytical foundation for careers in government, business, law, and healthcare.

You’ll take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the origins and evolution of our species—from the development of ancient cultures to today’s health, environmental, and geopolitical challenges. By applying this broad, research-based perspective to contemporary issues like race, gender, and social justice, you’ll bring impactful insights to how we live and die, make art and communicate, and navigate conflicts and crises.

Our graduates go on to …

  • become leaders in environmental policy and health and human services
  • work in forensic labs and on archaeological sites around the world
  • pursue graduate degrees in law, medicine, government, and other fields

Visit the sociology and anthropology department page

Two students studying together in the library

Anthropology program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Rose Hill CampusMinor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center
  • Lincoln Center CampusMinor
    Lincoln Center

orange sprite

Anthropology for the Greater Good

Laura Rosado Philippi in Valencia, Spain. Photo by Mariana Rúa, Fordham Class of 2026

The Most Prestigious Public Service Prize                    

Rosada Phillipi earned a Truman Scholarship for her visionary plan to study cultural barriers to mental health in her native Puerto Rico. See why she calls double majoring in anthropology and psychology at Fordham “the best decision I ever made.”

image of a putative white-naped magabey and olive baboon hybrid courtesy of Reiko Matsuda Goodwin

On the Cutting Edge of Discovery                    

Learn more about Fordham Professor Reiko Matsuda Goodwin, a primate conservationist whose research led her to discover a potentially new kind of hybrid monkey.

Image of video still of Demystify Academic Language

Making Academic Research Accessible                    

See how Fordham students and high schoolers helped linguistic anthropologists make their research more accessible and impactful through TikToks and other methods.

orange sprite

Anthropology Program FAQ

  • Our expert faculty members offer global perspectives and the opportunity to understand the nuances of human societies, in fields like linguistic and biological anthropology. You’ll have the opportunity to take classes such as Anthropology of the Forbidden, Human Sexuality in Cross-Cultural Perspective, and Magic, Science, and Religion.

  • Our location in the heart of New York City means you’ll have the opportunity to intern at top institutions year round. Here are just a few of the places anthropology majors have interned:

    • New York State Department of Corrections
    • Legal Aid Society
    • Merrill Lynch
    • IBM

  • Anthropology students receive faculty mentorship and conduct original research that culminates in a thesis in their final year. You’ll explore the development of culture and society, with digital access to resources like ethnographic art and artifacts from Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. You’ll also work with our faculty specializing in cutting-edge research in areas like conservation and bioethics.

  • Anthropology majors pursue rewarding careers in areas like criminal justice, education, public administration, and research. Anthropology provides paths to doctoral programs and advanced degrees in law, education, social work, and public policy. No matter their chosen field, our students remain committed to social and economic justice.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As an anthropology major, you’ll be able to use AI to advance your own research by analyzing large sets of data, decoding ancient manuscripts, and even studying the effects of AI on human behavior.

    You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and experimentation.

Apply

Plan Your Visit

orange sprite

Contact Us 

No matter where you are in your college search, we're here to answer your questions, help you learn more about Fordham, and support you through the admission process.

E-mail us

Visit and Chat with us

Connect with us on social media

Request Information

Loading...