Best Anthropology Programs in Idaho for 2027

At Boise State, anthropology is a BS, and you choose among six paths: the general degree or an emphasis in archaeology, cultural anthropology, evolution, ecology and behavior, evolutionary medicine and One Health, or forensics. The archaeology emphasis trains you in excavation and survey, data collection and analysis, theory and legislation,, and the department ties its field school to jobs with government agencies and consulting firms. The cultural emphasis includes a Native American and Indigenous Studies minor and User Experience Research courses. The forensics emphasis centers on analyzing skeletal and unidentified remains in death investigations. Boise State awarded 13 degrees in 2023–24, which puts it among the larger programs listed for Idaho.

Emphases

General BS, archaeology, cultural, evolution, ecology and behavior, evolutionary medicine and One Health, and forensics

Archaeology Training

Excavation and survey, data collection and analysis, theory and legislation

Cultural Add-Ons

Native American and Indigenous Studies minor and User Experience Research courses

Program Sources: Anthropology Bachelors of Science - AnthropologyUndergraduate Programs - AnthropologyBS Anthropology Cultural Emphasis - Anthropology

Both versions of the Idaho degree, the BA and the BS, share one core: Introduction to Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Archaeology, Language and Culture and Introduction to Sociology. You then complete Anthropological Field Methods, or attend a field school at another institution, and pick one upper-division course each in archaeology, biological anthropology and cultural anthropology. Archaeology options include Historical Archaeology, Lithic Technology and Applied Cultural Resource Management, while biological choices include Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology. The degree closes with a theory course, a methodology course and a senior capstone called Anthropology Senior Research.

Field Methods

Anthropological Field Methods, or a field school at another institution

Theory and Methods

One theory course plus qualitative social science methods or social data analysis

Capstone

Anthropology Senior Research

Program Sources: Anthropology (B.A. or B.S.) < University of IdahoAnthropology (B.A. or B.S.) < University of Idaho

Idaho State builds its Anthropology BA around all four subfields, and the upper-division core shows it: History and Theory of Sociocultural Anthropology, History and Theory of Archaeology, Human Evolution, and a linguistics class chosen from options such as Sociolinguistics, Phonetics and the Science of Speech or Linguistic Field Methods. Lower-division requirements include Biological Anthropology with a lab, Discover Archaeology and one semester of a foreign language, and the catalog urges more language if you plan graduate work. You finish with Senior Seminar, and 12 more upper-division credits are chosen with your advisor.

Theory Core

History and Theory of Sociocultural Anthropology and History and Theory of Archaeology

Linguistics Requirement

One upper-division linguistics class, from sociolinguistics to historical linguistics

Capstone

Senior Seminar ending in a senior research project

Program Sources: B.A. Anthropology | Idaho State University Academic CatalogUndergraduate studies in anthropology at Idaho State (ISU)

The College of Western Idaho AA puts Cultural Anthropology and Biological Anthropology in your general education block, then adds Introduction to Archaeology as the major course. You choose three electives from a short list: Indigenous Peoples of North America, Basque Heritage and Contemporary People, Indigenous Mythology and Rituals, or Mexican Heritage and Contemporary Peoples. Fundamentals of GIS is also required, and Fundamentals of Social Science Research is strongly recommended. Elective credit brings the total to 60, and the plan of study includes guidance on transferring to Boise State University.

Archaeology Course

Introduction to Archaeology

Regional Electives

Three from Indigenous, Basque and Mexican heritage courses

Mapping Skill

Fundamentals of GIS

Program Sources: College of Western Idaho Academic Catalog < Anthropology - Associate of Arts Degree (AA)*College of Western Idaho Academic Catalog < Anthropology - Associate of Arts Degree (AA)*

North Idaho College’s Anthropology AA is a transfer program at the Coeur d’Alene campus, designed to meet the general education requirements at all Idaho public universities. The core is Introduction to Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology and Biological Anthropology, plus a choice between Introduction to Archaeology and Native People of North America. The program page names four subdisciplines: archaeology, cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and linguistics. Electives at the 100 level or higher fill 12 to 18 credits, so you can steer them toward what your transfer university requires.

Core Courses

Introduction to Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology and Biological Anthropology

Archaeology Choice

Introduction to Archaeology or Native People of North America

Transfer Pathway

Electives matched to the intended transfer institution

Program Sources: Anthropology - North Idaho CollegeAnthropology AA | North Idaho College Catalog