Bachelor in Anthropology (Bachelor's)

Students at Bates take part in a campus community that connects academic life with social responsibility and the wider city of Lewiston. Campus activities include arts and athletics, concerts, readings, plays, exhibitions, and dance performances. Public and community events, alumni activities, and student-led conversations add to the range of experiences available beyond scheduled classes. The college's calendars also include orientation, holidays, examinations, registration, commencement, and reunion.

Academic choice is central to the Bates experience. Students can choose from 38 majors and 29 minors, or create an interdisciplinary major through the Independent Interdisciplinary Studies program. The faculty community includes scholars, scientists, and artists who support students through personalized mentorship. Academic opportunities extend from first-year seminars to senior thesis work, with an emphasis on intellectual inquiry, reflection, personal growth, and engagement with the world beyond the campus.

International students can connect with Bates through virtual information sessions, student-led Bobcat Chats, and an on-demand virtual campus tour. The admission team provides regional contacts for applicants selecting their country or region, alongside opportunities to speak with current students or admission staff. Bates is located at 2 Andrews Road in Lewiston, Maine. In-person visits include a student-guided campus tour, an information session, and opportunities to learn about admission and financial aid.

Graduates are qualified to pursue careers in research, advocacy, education, and community engagement with a focus on cultural and social issues. The programme centers on sociocultural anthropology with study in archaeology and linguistics. Students conduct ethnographic fieldwork and engage in faculty-led research projects. The curriculum emphasizes critical analysis of power, meaning, and cultural diversity in global and local contexts.

Focus areas include sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, indigeneity, settler colonialism, environment and culture.

The programme requires 36 credits, distributed across core courses, electives, and a senior thesis or capstone project. Students complete coursework in cultural analysis, ethnographic methods, and research design.

Graduates enter roles in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and research centers focused on social justice, cultural preservation, and community development.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. The college considers academic performance, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not their primary language.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year programme. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 13% of applicants.