Best Anthropology Programs in Nevada for 2027

Reno requires four introductory courses, one each in cultural anthropology, physical anthropology with its lab, world archaeology and anthropological linguistics. Linguistics gets the same billing as the other subfields here. You then pick a capstone from a list that includes Basque Culture, History of Anthropology, Archaeological Theory, Anthropology of Global Migration and a course on the Bilbao Guggenheim and city renewal. Eighteen more units of anthropology electives fill out the 27-unit major, and a minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts is part of the degree. In 2023–24, 16 students earned it.

Required Introductions

Cultural anthropology, physical anthropology with lab, world archaeology and anthropological linguistics

Capstone Choices

Basque Culture, History of Anthropology, Archaeological Theory, Anthropology of Global Migration and more

Minor

Any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts

Program Sources: Anthropology, B.A. | University of Nevada, Reno General Course CatalogAnthropology, B.A. | University of Nevada, Reno General Course Catalog

The UNLV major puts data work early: a data analysis course for anthropologists, which an approved statistics course can replace, sits next to introductions to cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and world archaeology. Later you take the history of anthropology and an internship and professional development course. You choose at least one lab or field course, such as ethnographic field methods, archaeological field practicum, zooarchaeology, human osteology or dental anthropology, and one theory course. The elective list reaches from Great Basin archaeology and forensic studies to the anthropology of animals. In 2023–24, 56 students graduated with this degree.

Data Requirement

Essentials of data analysis for anthropologists, or an approved statistics course

Lab or Field Course

Ethnographic methods, archaeological field practicum, zooarchaeology, osteology or dental anthropology

Internship Course

Anthropology Internship and Professional Development

Program Sources: Anthropology (BA) | UNLV Undergraduate CatalogAnthropology (BA) | UNLV Undergraduate Catalog

Nevada, Reno’s Anthropology MA offers a 31-credit thesis track and a 30-credit non-thesis track. Students can specialize in historical or prehistoric archaeology, biological, cultural, or linguistic anthropology, and the department lists labs and a museum for research and collections experience. The thesis route substitutes an original project for comprehensive exams; the non-thesis route has different final requirements. The department says relatively few assistantships go to MA students, a practical detail to check alongside adviser fit and the research facilities when comparing offers.

Thesis Track

31 credits; no comprehensive examination

Non-Thesis Track

30 credits

Program Sources: Nevada, Reno Anthropology: Graduate Programs

You choose a doctoral emphasis from five options: prehistoric archaeology, historical archaeology, cultural anthropology, biological and physical anthropology, or linguistic anthropology. The department points to partnerships with the Desert Research Institute, Basque studies, historic preservation and the gender, race and identity program. Advancement to candidacy usually comes in year three, once coursework is finished, the written qualifying exam and oral comprehensive defense are passed, and your dissertation prospectus is defended. Students who enter without a master’s can earn the M.A. along the way through the non-thesis track. Five doctorates were awarded in 2023–24.

Doctoral Emphases

Prehistoric archaeology, historical archaeology, cultural, biological or physical, and linguistic anthropology

Candidacy Milestones

Written qualifying exam, oral comprehensive defense and a defended prospectus

Research Partners

Desert Research Institute, Basque studies and the historic preservation program

Program Sources: Graduate Programs | Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, RenoGraduate Programs | Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Reno

UNLV offers three routes into the doctorate: a post-master’s track of 42 credits, and two post-bachelor’s tracks that earn an M.A. first, through either a thesis or a publishable paper. Every route includes two proseminars, core concepts, quantitative methods, and a course on research design, ethics and grant writing, then 12 dissertation credits. You defend a prospectus orally and pass a comprehensive exam on three topics tied to your dissertation: theory, a methodological or topical specialty, and a culture area. The department’s research clusters around childhood and parenting, food and nutrition, adaptive strategies, and sexuality, gender and identity. Five doctorates were awarded in 2023–24.

Entry Tracks

Post-master’s, post-bachelor’s thesis, or post-bachelor’s publishable paper

Core Courses

Two proseminars, core concepts, quantitative methods, and research design with grant writing

Doctoral Milestones

Oral prospectus defense, three-topic comprehensive exam and dissertation defense

Program Sources: Doctor of Philosophy - Anthropology | UNLVDoctor of Philosophy - Anthropology | UNLV

This 60-credit associate degree is built for transfer to UNLV and UNR, and the college asks you to meet your advising unit first and then the transfer program for the university you plan to attend. The 26-credit major covers cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, world archaeology and anthropological linguistics, so you see all four subfields before you transfer. A capstone course in anthropology closes the core. Six credits of anthropology electives and six credits of social science electives from two different disciplines round it out. CSN conferred 15 of these degrees in 2023–24.

Four-Field Core

Cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, world archaeology and anthropological linguistics

Capstone

Capstone Course in Anthropology

Transfer Pathway

Designed for transfer to UNLV and UNR

Program Sources: Anthropology, AA | College of Southern Nevada CatalogAnthropology, AA | College of Southern Nevada Catalog

Truckee Meadows lays out a four-semester, 60-unit plan that starts with cultural anthropology and moves through biological anthropology with its lab, peoples and cultures of the world, anthropological linguistics and world archaeology. Foreign language appears in all four semesters, so you build language credits before you transfer. The college describes the degree as a university transfer path that can also be shaped toward applied anthropology for entry-level work. Six degrees were awarded in 2023–24. Anthropology courses each need a C or better.

Course Sequence

Cultural anthropology, biological anthropology with lab, linguistics, archaeology and peoples of the world

Foreign Language

Language coursework spread across all four semesters

Transfer or Applied Focus

University transfer degree, or an emphasis in applied anthropology

Program Sources: Anthropology, AA | Truckee Meadows Community College CatalogAnthropology, AA | Truckee Meadows Community College Catalog