About
Our History
The Anthropology Program at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was established shortly after the university opened in 1960 and became a formal department in 1967. In 1974, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø launched the nation’s first M.A. program in Applied Anthropology, followed by the introduction of its Ph.D. program in 1984. These developments were closely aligned with a broader national movement toward the professionalization of anthropology during this period.
The department’s mission is to educate students in the anthropological perspective in preparation for a wide range of disciplines and career paths. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s degree programs have served as a model for many applied anthropology training programs across the United States.
In 1996, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø St. Petersburg campus established its own dynamic anthropology program, integrating classroom instruction with research training and community engagement. The 2020 consolidation of the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses strengthened the department’s capacity for research, collaboration, and student mentorship. Today, Anthropology stands as a key social science discipline across both campuses, preparing students for diverse professional trajectories and continued academic pursuits.