Becoming an Anthropology Major

If you're interested in anthropology as a major you should do a few things:

  1. Read this website so you have a feel for the major.
  2. Research anthropology: read a few articles from anthropology journals, check out a book from the library written by one of our professors, or take a class.
  3. (This is the tough one). Think about what you want to do in the long run, and what you can see yourself doing for a career and make sure that anthropology fits with one or both of those things.
  4. If you've taken an ANTH class, talk to the professor about majoring and the benefits of doing so.

So, if you're still interested in declaring the ANTH major:

  1. Make an appointment with the undergraduate advisor.
  2. Talk with the advisor about your interests in anthropology and goals for majoring.
  3. The advisor will go over the major requirements and orient you to the department.
  4. If it looks like a good fit, the undergraduate advisor and you will fill out the 'Change/Addition of Major' form.
  5. Then, sign up for an Academic Planning Workshop held by the college: http://www.bsosworkshops.umd.edu and complete a '4-Year Academic Plan'
  6. Turn in the 'Change/Addition of Major' Form and '4-Year Academic Plan' to the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) Advising Office, bsosmajorchange [at] umd [dot] edu. Your major change/addition should be processed in 3-4 weeks.