About
About Us
Our Mission
Anthropology is the comparative and global study of humanity in all its dimensions.
At USF, major subfields of anthropology —archaeological, biological, cultural, linguistic,
and medical—are integrated through a shared commitment to practical application, advancing
knowledge of the human past while addressing the challenges of contemporary and future
societies.
Our work is grounded in community-based, applied research that is holistic and interdisciplinary.
We study, design, and evaluate policies, programs, and outcomes with real-world impact.
With a strong emphasis on Applied Anthropology, we equip students with the analytical
and practical skills needed to understand human social phenomena at both local and
global scales. Alongside rigorous training for undergraduate majors and graduate students,
the department is committed to bringing anthropological insight to a broad audience
through general education courses.
Our Impact
Today, USF is recognized as a leading program in Applied Anthropology, with a long-standing
reputation for innovation, impact, and excellence in training. Our program has helped
define the field and continues to set the standard for integrating anthropological
knowledge with real-world practice.
Our undergraduate program has trained thousands of students since the department’s
founding and these have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of fields. Whether
pursued as a major, double major, or minor, anthropology students develop valuable
skills in critical thinking, research, communication, and cultural analysis. Our graduates
go on to top graduate programs as well as careers in fields as varied as public health,
education, business, technology, government, and nonprofit organizations.
The strength of our graduate programs is reflected in the success of our alumni. With
more than 800 M.A. and Ph.D. graduates worldwide, USF-trained anthropologists are
making an impact both inside and outside academia. While many hold faculty and research
positions at universities, a significant number apply anthropological methods in professional
settings—addressing complex challenges in medicine, social services, technological
development, cultural resource management, tourism, heritage stewardship, education,
public health, international aid, emergency management, and beyond.
Our faculty are internationally recognized leaders in their fields, conducting innovative
research that addresses pressing global and local issues. The department has a strong
record of external funding, including support from the National Science Foundation
and other prestigious organizations. Faculty and students alike have earned numerous
honors, including Fulbright awards, reflecting the quality and reach of our scholarship.
Together, our community of scholars and practitioners continues to advance applied anthropology and prepare students to make meaningful contributions in a rapidly changing world.
Our History
The Anthropology Program at the University of South Florida was established shortly
after the university opened in 1960 and became a formal department in 1967. In 1974,
USF launched the nation’s first M.A. program in Applied Anthropology, followed by
the introduction of its Ph.D. program in 1984. These developments were closely aligned
with a broader national movement toward the professionalization of anthropology during
this period.
The department’s mission is to educate students in the anthropological perspective
in preparation for a wide range of disciplines and career paths. USF’s degree programs
have served as a model for many applied anthropology training programs across the
United States.
In 1996, the USF St. Petersburg campus established its own dynamic anthropology program,
integrating classroom instruction with research training and community engagement.
The 2020 consolidation of the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses strengthened the department’s
capacity for research, collaboration, and student mentorship. Today, Anthropology
stands as a key social science discipline across both campuses, preparing students
for diverse professional trajectories and continued academic pursuits.
Programs
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology provides a strong foundation across the discipline’s major subfields while emphasizing their practical applications. Students gain broad training that prepares them to apply anthropological perspectives to real-world issues.
We also offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biomedical Anthropology, which focuses on human health and well-being at the intersection of biology and culture. This program equips students to understand the relationships among health, disease, and human social and evolutionary contexts, and to apply anthropological insights to illness, treatment, and healthcare systems.
In addition, the department offers minors in both Anthropology and Biomedical Anthropology.
These programs are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing students to tailor
their coursework within a structured progression of anthropological topics.
At the graduate level, the department offers Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy
(Ph.D.) degrees in Applied Anthropology. Since 2004, we have also partnered with the
USF College of Public Health to offer a highly successful concurrent degree program.
Through this option, students can earn an M.A. or Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology alongside
a Master of Public Health (MPH), expanding their professional training and career
opportunities.
The department is proud to participate in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, offering
M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Anthropology to Returning Peace Corps Volunteers
(RPCV). This opportunity is also extended to returned volunteers from Peace Corps
Response (PCR) and the Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP), supporting their
continued commitment to service and applied research.
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