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Why Choose CSUSB?

Students from ANTH 3201: The Archaeology of the Senses
Students from ANTH 3201: The Archaeology of the Senses

Nestled against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, California State University San Bernardino is an excellent choice for students to get a well-rounded and world-class education close to home, for minimal cost, and in a supportive environment.  The campus services students primarily from the surrounding Inland Empire community (Riverside County and San Bernardino County). A large percentage of CSUSB students are first-generation college students, and the campus is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The campus is easily accessible via public transportation, offers on-campus residential plans, and has ample parking available for daily commuters.

When looking to study the field of Anthropology, CSUSB is an excellent choice for an in-depth and broad-ranging education in the three primary fields– biological anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, and archaeology.

Highlights of the CSUSB Department of Anthropology include:

check out a facsimile Mixtec Codex
Check out a facsimile Mixtec Codex
  • Methodological training available in osteology, historical archaeology, experimental archaeology, laboratory analysis, ethnographic methods, and exhibition development and design
  • Three working laboratories, multiple study collections, and access to advanced analytical instruments and equipment
  • Diverse faculty regional foci, including the California coast, the American Southwest, Central America (especially Mexico), South America (especially Ecuador), Africa (especially Mozambique, Malawi and Kenya), and Asia (especially the Phillipines)
  • Small upper-division courses, including a cohort-building anthropological theory course (recommended for the junior year) and senior seminar (recommended for the senior year)
  • A thriving anthropology student group, ALPACA, with its own dedicated computer lab and social space
  • An Anthropology Museum located within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, offering opportunities for hands-on experiences in curation, collections management, administration, and exhibition development and design
  • Annual fieldwork, field school, and general scholarships specifically for students in the Anthropology Department
  • A department vehicle for faculty-led fieldtrips and excursions
Mixtec Codex
Mixtec Codex

The CSUSB Department of Anthropology additionally offers a Masters Degree in Applied Archaeology for students interested in cultural resource management careers.