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A GVSU student soil sifting for artifacts.

Applied Anthropology

Undergraduate Certificate

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 15 Credits

A certificate in applied anthropology (CAA) is designed to help students learn practical skills and concepts that will be useful for careers in government, business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as graduate school.

Overview

Grand Valley offers an Applied Anthropology Undergraduate Certificate designed to equip students with practical skills and concepts beneficial for careers in government, business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and further academic pursuits. The program is face-to-face and requires 15 credits, providing a comprehensive understanding of anthropological methods and their applications in solving real-world problems.

The coursework includes upper-division courses such as ethnographic methods and applied anthropology. Students also select one elective from over 30 options across 13 disciplines and complete an intensive 6-credit summer internship. This curriculum ensures students gain hands-on experience in conducting research and applying anthropological knowledge in various contexts.

Studying Applied Anthropology at Grand Valley is advantageous due to the growing demand for ethnographic training in various sectors. The skills acquired through this program are crucial for addressing humanitarian and health crises, enhancing human-centered design approaches, and solving real-world problems. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse career opportunities and further academic endeavors, making this program a valuable investment in their future.

Admission Information

For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:

  • Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop-down list, and click Submit)
  • Departmental approval is required. If denied, an email will be sent to your GVSU student email.  
  • Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
  • Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
  • Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. 

Department of Anthropology

gvsu.edu/anthropology
231 Lake Michigan Hall
(616) 331-2325

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Learning Strategies
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,406.69 10%
$ 60,100.88 25%
$ 85,823.68 50%
$123,123.26 75%
$166,433.09 90%

Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,795.79 10%
$ 48,999.31 25%
$ 61,439.28 50%
$ 83,468.85 75%
$128,279.28 90%

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 28,865.43 10%
$ 41,992.82 25%
$ 51,570.23 50%
$ 76,694.38 75%
$104,757.21 90%

Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Learning Strategies
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,446.25 10%
$ 60,565.21 25%
$ 83,891.16 50%
$121,619.93 75%
$178,853.17 90%

Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 40,221.24 10%
$ 47,893.94 25%
$ 61,926.77 50%
$ 82,196.29 75%
$109,908.97 90%

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 29,657.82 10%
$ 46,289.52 25%
$ 65,000.48 50%
$ 92,356.52 75%
$139,263.22 90%
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Page last modified May 19, 2025