Georgetown University

What you'll study

This programme builds a foundation in cultural anthropology, social theory and qualitative methods while offering specialised coursework and applied projects in organisational contexts. Core topics typically include ethnographic methods, social and cultural theory, history of anthropology, and research design. Organisational Anthropology electives focus on workplace cultures, institutional ethnography, corporate and public sector organisations, leadership and governance, organisational change, and the anthropology of work.

• Core modules: cultural anthropology, ethnographic methods, theory of society and culture, research design and statistics for social scientists.
• Organisational modules: organisational ethnography, comparative institutions, markets and culture, governance and bureaucracy, anthropology of organisations and professions.
• Skills and methods: participant observation, interview techniques, qualitative data analysis, mixed methods approaches, and writing for public and professional audiences.
• Capstone and applied work: a senior thesis or practicum that often involves fieldwork or an internship in a corporate, nonprofit, governmental or community setting, which synthesises theory and practice.

Structure

The programme is delivered as a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a concentration or track in Organisational Anthropology. Students take a mix of lower-division foundational courses and upper-division specialised seminars. Advising encourages combining anthropology with complementary coursework in business, politics, psychology or computer science, and many students undertake internships or semester-long study-abroad placements to gain practical experience.

Entry requirements

Admission to Georgetown University is selective and considers academic performance across a broad secondary-school curriculum. Typical expectations for the Anthropology major include strong grades in humanities and social sciences, evidence of critical reading and writing ability, and engagement in extracurricular activities or work that demonstrates intellectual curiosity.

• Secondary-school completion or equivalent with a solid academic record;
• Personal statement or essays that explain your interest in anthropology and organisational questions;
• Letters of recommendation that speak to academic promise and analytical skills;
• Preparation in quantitative reasoning and writing is advantageous; prior coursework in history, sociology, psychology or economics can be helpful.

Standardised test policies and specific prerequisite requirements may vary; applicants should consult Georgetown’s admissions guidance for up-to-date instructions on materials and optional tests.

Career prospects

Graduates with a background in Organisational Anthropology are prepared for roles that require deep qualitative insight into people, culture and institutions. Common career paths include human resources and organisational development, management and strategy consulting, user experience and design research, public policy and government service, international development and NGO management, and market research.

• Roles that benefit from ethnographic and qualitative methods, such as UX researcher, cultural analyst, or field researcher.
• Advisory and consulting positions focused on organisational change, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development.
• Positions in policy, advocacy and international organisations that require cultural fluency and institutional analysis.
• Many graduates also pursue further study in anthropology, business, public policy, law or related fields.

Why study at Georgetown University

Georgetown’s Department of Anthropology offers close faculty mentoring, small seminar-style classes and strong methodological training, which are central to applied and organisational work. Located in Washington, D.C., the university provides exceptional access to government agencies, think tanks, international organisations and NGOs for internships and collaborative projects.

• Interdisciplinary opportunities across the College and professional schools let students combine anthropology with business, public policy or international affairs.
• Hands-on learning through fieldwork, local practicum placements and an emphasis on translating research into practice.
• Active research faculty who work on topics ranging from institutions and governance to labour, markets and corporate culture, offering thesis supervision and research assistant positions.