Explore the human condition throughout time and across cultures guided by internationally renowned faculty.
Anthropology is a fascinating field that can take you around the world while preparing you for careers in museums, cultural organizations or non-profits, government, education or healthcare.
From your first year of our anthropology programs, you will engage in hands-on fieldwork and research projects in areas such as archaeology, ethnography, community development, forensic anthropology, food studies, museum studies, and environmental anthropology. Students learn to apply anthropological methods—field observation, excavation, archival research, and cultural analysis—to real-world questions about societies past and present.
My time in Adelphi Anthropology gave me my first research experience in North American faunal analysis. Faculty mentorship and undergraduate research opportunities prepared me for graduate training in paleoanthropology and scientific illustration.
Ariel Barrera '20
PhD candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center in affiliation with the American Museum of Natural History, studying dental morphology in early fossil hominins
Faculty and Student Research
The Anthropology Department works with students to identify their interests and assists in the development of professional knowledge, skills and abilities. Faculty work closely with students to support their academic and professional goals, including immersive opportunities in field research.
Anthropology students actively engage in laboratory and independent research with faculty on a wide range of topics, gaining both technical and empirical skills. Many students also pursue individual research projects that lead to public presentations at Adelphi’s annual Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, as well as regional and national conferences, including the Northeastern Anthropological Association, the Society for American Archaeology and the American Anthropological Association.
Through the SPARK Center (Scholars Pursuing Arts, Research, and Knowledge), undergraduate students can access funding, mentorship, and resources to turn innovative ideas into impactful research projects in Anthropology, including ethnography, archaeology, bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and cultural studies. Select students further expand their experience through undergraduate research assistantships, contributing to faculty-led publications, museum work, and specialized research initiatives.
From Classroom to Excavation Site
Honors College student and anthropology major MacKenzie Pina spent six weeks on a fellowship in Sibiloi National Park conducting research on Plio-Pleistocene landscapes. As co-captain of Adelphi’s swim team, she spent winter break training in Puerto Rico.
Student Life and Hands-On Learning
With Manhattan nearby, students have access to museums, historical sites, cultural institutions and research organizations that bring anthropology to life. Gain real-world experience through internships, fieldwork, research projects and cultural engagement opportunities.
Internship Opportunities
Anthropology students build valuable professional experience through internships with leading cultural and research institutions. Students have worked with organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, El Museo del Barrio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Historical Society and South Street Seaport Museum, to name a few. Get personalized advising and support with applications, résumés, and career planning, helping students translate their experiences into future opportunities.
Study Abroad and Field Experiences
Study abroad and faculty-led field research experiences allow students to immerse themselves in new cultures while applying anthropological methods. Faculty actively support anthropology students in identifying and pursuing study abroad and field-based opportunities that strengthen cross-cultural understanding and research skills.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Get involved, build connections, and grow your skills through Adelphi’s vibrant student clubs and academic community. The Anthropology Department also hosts regular fall and spring gatherings where students share food, present capstone and independent research, and celebrate academic achievements.
