HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY

Forensic anthropology undergraduate degrees are rare and offered in relatively few universities. However, there are many schools that allow you to focus on forensics as part of a general anthropology major.

Anthropology coursework:

• Introduction to Anthropology/Archaeology/Biological Anthropology

• Evolutionary Theory and related coursework (e.g., hominins, human origins)

• Human Osteology

• Human Anatomy

• Forensic Anthropology

• Modern Human Physical Variation

• Race and Racism

• Ethics

• Zooarchaeology

• Archaeology courses—particularly those focusing on mortuary analysis

• Archaeological field school—highly recommended! (see links below)

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Non-anthropology courses relevant to forensic anthropology:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Statistics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Forensic Science

Non-anthropology degrees relevant to forensic anthropology:​

• Sociology

• Biology/Anatomy

• Forensic Sciences

• Criminology and Criminal Justice

• Pre-Law

• Pre-Med​

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There are very few opportunities for persons with only a bachelor’s degree to practice forensic anthropology. The majority of Forensic Anthropologists are employed by academic or research institutions and consult on cases when and if the need arises. Others are employed in medical examiner’s offices and the armed forces. Still, others occasionally work for ad hoc tribunals and non-government organizations as part of teams investigating war crimes involving mass graves.