An Archaeology student takes a close look at an arrowhead.

Undergraduate Programs

Explore your options with three tracks that all offer hands-on learning opportunities and a wide scope of career-building experiences.

Applied Anthropology, Anthropology, BA

Archaeology, Anthropology, BA

Anthropology Honors Program

Anthropology Minor

Cultural Competencies Certificate

An Archaeology student looks at rock chips and arrowheads in a lab

Graduate Program

Expand your professional options with a graduate program that takes you directly into the material you'll need to advance your career.

Applied Archaeology, MA

Welcome to the Department of Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humankind, including its biological evolution, the nature and development of culture, diversity across the globe, and archaeology. We use the insights gained from studying the many facets of the human experience to understand why we behave the way we do, how we differ, and how we are all alike.

The Department of Anthropology at IUP places special focus on Applied Anthropology, which uses anthropological knowledge to address practical, real-world applications, including forensic anthropology, the handling of archaeological remains to meet state and federal regulations (CRM), or work on environmental and social issues.

Whether you are an undergraduate student looking for a major, considering graduate school, or just hoping to find out more about our field, we welcome you to explore what our department has to offer!

For Current Students

Information on careers, internships, graduate school, Anthropology Club, and other opportunities.

Support IUP Anthropology Students

When you make a gift in support of our department, you invest in the world's next generation of leaders. Scholarships and program support create the best possible student experience.

Support Our Students

Anthropology Department Statement on Race and Diversity

The Anthropology Department is committed to combating racism through fostering inclusive and welcoming spaces for diverse students, and fostering student learning outcomes that expand the understanding of race: particularly, that race is not a biological reality, but that race and racism are cultural and social constructs that intersect with social class and other forms of social positionality to produce harm for people of color in our society and globally.

News

Palmiotto Awarded Wenner-Gren Grant to Explore Communal Learning through Ancient Bone Tools

Andrea Palmiotto was recently awarded a post-PhD research grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation to explore social prescriptions and communal learning in the production of ancient bone tools on the South Carolina coast between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago. 

Twelve Anthropology Students Present Wide Range of Papers, Posters at IUP Scholars Forum

Twelve anthropology students presented a wide range of papers and posters at the IUP Scholars Forum on April 10. Topics ranged from AI to shipwrecks and from equality to animal bones. The faculty, staff, and alumni judges recognized six anthropology students with awards.

Applied Archaeology MA Students Present Research, Win Awards at SPA Annual Meeting

Three Applied Archaeology MA students presented research and won awards at the ninety-third annual meeting of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, held in Carlisle, PA, April 12–14, 2024. They were joined by alumni and faculty in representing IUP Anthropology.

Distinguished University Professor Ford Chosen for Fulbright Award for Study in Portugal

Indiana University of Pennsylvania anthropology professor Ben Ford, IUP’s 2023–24 Distinguished University Professor and chair of IUP’s Department of Anthropology, has been selected as a Fulbright US Scholar for 2024–25.

New Book by Poole Explores Realities of Refugees in Horn of Africa

Indiana University Press has just released "Hosting States and Unsettled Guests: Eritrean Refugees in a Time of Migration Deterrence," co-written by Amanda Poole, professor of Anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Jennifer Riggan, professor of International Studies at Arcadia University.