Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. To understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history, anthropology draws and builds upon knowledge from the social and biological sciences as well as the humanities and physical sciences. A central concern of anthropologists is the application of knowledge to the solution of human problems. Historically, anthropologists in the United States have been trained in one of four areas: sociocultural anthropology, biological/physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics. Anthropologists often integrate the perspectives of several of these areas into their research, teaching, and professional lives.

Training in anthropology will prepare one for any career that involves working on the interface between two cultures. Specialized preparation in this subject can lead to some of the world's most interesting work; the study of existing life ways, archaeological excavation and interpretation, primate behavior, and social research into economics, politics, law, religion, art, and music.

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer degree (AA-T in Anthropology) is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, or a similar major at a CSU campus. Each CSU campus determines which of the degrees it offers are “similar” and can be completed with the preparation included in the AA-T in Anthropology within 60 units once a student transfers, so which majors are “similar” varies from CSU to CSU. For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designated as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to the CSU’s Associate Degree for Transfer Major and Campus Search webpage and seek guidance from a Moorpark College counselor. Students completing the AA-T in Anthropology degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not necessarily to a particular CSU campus or major. 

To earn an AA-T in Anthropology, students must:

1. Complete 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU transferable units including the following:

a. Completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) requirements.

b. A minimum of 18-20 semester units in Anthropology major as listed in the Moorpark College catalog.

2. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some transfer institutions and majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult with a counselor for more information. 

3. Obtain a grade of “C” or better or “P” in all courses required in the major. Even though a “pass-no-pass” is allowed (Title 5 §55063), it is highly recommended that students complete their major courses with a letter grade (A, B, or C).

4. Complete requirements in residence. For students in the Ventura County Community College District, a minimum of 12 units must be completed in residency at the college granting the degree.

Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AA-T in Anthropology will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree (unless the major is a designated “high-unit” major at a particular campus). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system.  Students should consult with a counselor to obtain more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• examine and assess the place of humans in the natural world.
• compare and critique their own cultural assumptions to those of people from other societies.
• demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives, theories, methods, and core concepts of anthropology as a social science and scientific discipline.