Saint Martin's University

What you'll study

This programme blends core anthropology courses with specialised papers and applied training in organisational settings. You build a foundation in cultural anthropology, archaeological perspectives, and biological anthropology before moving into modules that focus on organisations, workplaces and institutional practice.

• Core theory: cultural theory, history of anthropological thought, ethics and comparative perspectives.
• Research methods: qualitative methods, ethnographic fieldwork, interview technique, participant observation, and introductory quantitative methods for social research.
• Organisational Anthropology: workplace ethnography, organisational culture and change, power and hierarchy, identity and professionalism, and comparative studies of institutions.
• Applied and elective modules: applied anthropology, design ethnography, human-centred research, public policy and community engagement, plus electives in psychology, sociology, business, and information studies to deepen interdisciplinary skills.
• Experiential learning: internship or practicum placements with local businesses, non-profits, government agencies or research projects; a senior capstone or honours project that requires independent ethnographic research and applied recommendations for an organisation.

Entry requirements

Typical entry to the undergraduate programme requires a completed secondary school qualification or equivalent. Applicants are expected to provide academic transcripts and a personal statement that outlines their interest in anthropology and organisational studies. Admissions may consider letters of recommendation, relevant extracurricular experience, or work experience that demonstrates readiness for undergraduate study.

Transfer students should submit college transcripts and, where applicable, evidence of completed general education or liberal arts requirements. International applicants must meet the university's standard language proficiency requirements. Prospective students are encouraged to contact admissions to discuss individual circumstances such as non-traditional academic history or professional experience.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Bachelor’s in Anthropology focused on organisational studies are equipped to apply ethnographic insight and research skills across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Human resources, organisational development and change management
• User experience and design research for tech and product teams
• Management and strategy consulting with an emphasis on culture and people
• Market research and consumer insights roles
• Non-profit programme management, community outreach and policy analysis
• Research assistantships, continuing to graduate study in anthropology, sociology, business or public administration

The programme’s practical components—internships, practicum placements and a capstone project—help students build professional networks and portfolios that are useful when moving into these fields.

Why study at Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin's University offers a liberal arts environment grounded in a Benedictine tradition that emphasises close faculty mentoring, ethical reflection and community engagement. Small class sizes allow for discussion-based learning and close supervision of fieldwork projects. The university’s location in the Pacific Northwest provides access to a wide range of organisations—public agencies, regional businesses, and non-profits—suitable for internships and applied research.

Students benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration with departments such as business, communication and environmental studies, enabling an applied approach to organisational anthropology that is attractive to employers and graduate programmes alike.