Indiana University of Pennsylvania

What you'll study

The programme combines core anthropological theory and methods with specialised courses that address organisations, workplaces and institutional life. Core topics include cultural anthropology, ethnographic methods, anthropological theory and ethics. Specialist modules focus on Organizational Anthropology, applied anthropology, workplace ethnography, and the study of culture and institutions.

• Cultural Anthropology – foundational concepts about culture, social structure and identity.
• Ethnographic Research Methods – participant observation, interviewing techniques, fieldnotes and qualitative data handling.
• Organizational Anthropology – theories and case studies on organisational culture, power, leadership and change.
• Applied Anthropology – translating anthropological insight into interventions, policy advice and programme design.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Methods – mixed methods approaches, basic statistics for social research and coding/analysis of qualitative data.
• Workplace Ethnography/Field Practicum – supervised placements and project work in real organisations, producing applied reports.
• Ethics, Law and Professional Practice – ethical issues in applied research, confidentiality and institutional review.
• Senior Seminar/Capstone – an independent research project or consultancy-style capstone synthesising theory and practice.

Students can typically complement core anthropology units with elective modules from sociology, business, psychology, information studies or communications to deepen skills relevant to human resources, organisational development or user research.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions consider academic records, a personal statement outlining interest in anthropology and organisational studies, and letters of recommendation. Standard university entry qualifications are applicable; test-score requirements (where used) and minimum grade expectations vary by applicant type and residency.

Recommended preparation includes courses in social studies, English and mathematics. Mature students and applicants with relevant work experience are encouraged to apply and may be considered on the basis of prior learning or professional experience. Transfer students with college credits should provide transcripts to have prior coursework assessed.

Career prospects

Graduates with a focus in Organizational Anthropology are well placed for careers that require strong qualitative research, cultural analysis and problem-solving skills. Typical roles and sectors include:

• Human resources and organisational development — culture change, onboarding and workforce planning.
• User experience (UX) research and design — ethnographic research to inform product and service development.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles — analysing institutional practices and supporting inclusive policy.
• Management consulting and change management — advising organisations on people-centred transformation.
• Market and consumer research — qualitative insights into customer behaviour and brand perception.
• Public sector and non-profit programme design — community engagement, evaluation and policy research.
• Graduate study and academia — advanced degrees in anthropology, organisational studies, sociology, business or related fields.

Work placements, practicum projects and faculty-led research opportunities offered through the programme help build a portfolio of applied work attractive to employers and graduate programmes.

Why study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s anthropology programme emphasises hands-on learning and applied research. Students benefit from small seminar classes, close supervision for fieldwork and opportunities to undertake workplace practicum projects with local and regional organisations. The department supports interdisciplinary study, allowing students to combine anthropological training with business, communications or digital research methods to match career goals.

Being located within reach of regional economic centres provides students access to internships and professional partnerships, while faculty with experience in applied and organisational anthropology mentor students through real-world projects and senior capstones. The programme is designed to prepare graduates to move directly into applied roles or to continue to postgraduate study.