Apr 28, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Anthropology (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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The anthropology program at K-State offers classes across the four major subfields of anthropology: biological, archaeology, cultural, and linguistic. Biological anthropology explores the origins of human life and the physical bases of human cultures. Archaeology examines the development of human cultures from prehistory and ancient civilizations to historic and modern times. Cultural anthropology studies human behavior by surveying the range and variety of cultural traditions, religions, and beliefs throughout the world. Linguistic anthropology focuses on the languages and dialects of the world and the relationships of language to thought and culture. Some anthropology majors generalize, while others specialize in one or more of the subfields. To ensure breadth, our students will need to engage with the three subfields of anthropology that we specialize in at K-State: cultural, biological, and archaeology.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours

Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours

Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for ANTH, ADC, CRIM, SOCIO, SOCWK) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with the program).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with the program).

Overlays: [9] Credit Hours

May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]

Programs

Introduction and Initiation Courses: 13 Credit Hours

Anthropology Electives: 21 Credit Hours

Majors must take electives in at least two of the three main subfields: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeology. 

The remaining 15 credit hours may be chosen from the subfields below.

Of the required 21 elective hours, at least 9 credit hours must be at, or above, the 500 level.​​​​​​​

Biological Anthropology Subfield

Course ranges: 380-389; 580-589; 680-689

Cultural Anthropology Subfield

Course Ranges: 305-319; 505-519; 605-619; 705-719

Archaeology Subfield

Course Ranges: 360-369; 560-569; 660-669

Linguistic Electives:

Course Ranges: 220; 320-329; 520-529; 620-629; 720

Intersubdisciplinary+ Electives

Course Ranges: 350-359; 550-559; 650-659

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 6 Credit Hours

3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities Credits: 3

Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3

BA Natural and Quantitative Requirement: 6 Credit Hours

One course in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours total at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3

Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science: 3 Credit Hours

BA Second Language Requirement: 3-16 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours

At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: 16 Credit Hours

At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: 3 Credit Hours

Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: 14-27 Credit Hours

In addition to the K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total number of credit hours completed is 120.

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

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