Explore the rich diversity of human experience across cultures, communities, and historical periods with Buffalo State's anthropology program. Our interdisciplinary approach connects anthropology with cultural studies, global perspectives, and collaborative scholarship across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
You will participate in fieldwork, community-based projects, ethnographic research, and experiential learning opportunities while gaining a deeper understanding of local and global communities and contemporary issues.
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Degree Offered
Anthropology, B.A.: The B.A. in anthropology prepares students for further academic training at the graduate level but can also lead directly to careers in nonacademic (applied) areas, such as forensics, contract archaeology, cultural resource management, museum work, social services, education, government, and market research. Internships, archaeological field schools, independent research, and a departmental honors program are available to students in this major.
Archaeological Field Schools
Dig In!
The anthropology program conducts an archaeological field school each summer. Two archaeological field schools—Beaver Island State Park and Old Fort Niagara—provide space for student exploration and research each summer. The field schools are well-received and frequently draw students from other New York universities.
Students learn how to
- map a site using a laser transit
- establish excavation units
- excavate stratigraphically
Who Hires Our Students
Anthropologists are trained observers who understand the importance of collecting data and listening to others.
A Buffalo State bachelor's degree in anthropology prepares students for a number of jobs in the anthropology field, along with the fields of law, social work/counseling, and public administration, with additional graduate study. Our alumni have gone on to graduate school in anthropology, biology, social work, counseling, higher education administration, art conservation and museum studies, and library science. Some job titles acquired by anthropology graduates include:
- Archaeological Field Technician
- Archaeologist
- Archivist
- Conservationist/Preservationist
- Cultural Resource Analyst/Manager
- Curator
- Curriculum Designer
- Educator
- Ethnographer
- Forensics Specialist
- Grant Writer
- Human Resources Manager
- International Aid Worker
- Nonprofit Coordinator
- Police Officer
- Public Policy Analyst
- Tour Guide
- Travel Writer
- Tribal Liaison
- University Professor
Undergraduate research is one of the most powerful ways for students to learn. Anthropology students complete an internship as part of their degree requirements, gaining valuable experience in professional settings throughout Western New York.
Students work with faculty who are practicing scientists to gain experience not offered by regular courses and learn firsthand the demands of anthropological research. Our students have presented projects at national and regional conferences as well as at Buffalo State's annual Student Research and Creativity Conference, which highlights the results of undergraduate research.
Our students also have landed internships with sites throughout Western New York, including:
- American Red Cross (Affiliate Offices)
- Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (Amherst Museum)
- Broadway Market
- Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
- Buffalo City Mission
- Buffalo History Museum/Historical Society
- Buffalo Zoological Society
- Burchfield Penney Art Center
- Catholic Charities
- Compass House
- Evergreen Health
- Forest Lawn Cemetery
- GLYS WNY, Inc.
- Habitat for Humanity
- International Institute of Buffalo
- Journey's End Refugee Services
- Mental Health Association of Erie County
- Old Fort Niagara Museum
- Preservation Buffalo Niagara
- Rochester Museum and Science Center
- Roycroft Campus Corporation
- SPCA Service of Erie County
- West Side Ministries
- Young Audiences of WNY
Explore Your Interests
Students have also pursued research across a wide range of topics and fields.
Cultural Anthropology: Ethnomusicology, Silo City, scouting and the Boy Scouts of America, and Korean foodways.
Archaeology and Indigenous Studies: Old Fort Niagara, Beaver Island State Park, Indigenous beadwork, Indigenous foodways and seed saving, and experimental archaeology.
Biological and Forensic Anthropology: Students have worked with the Buffalo Zoo, Forest Lawn archives, the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and on experimental biological anthropology projects.