Accredited Forensic Anthropology Degrees

Forensic anthropology programs have become more and more popular in recent years, with quite a bit of thanks going to increased awareness about these specialists in the media. From television dramas such as “Bones” to documentaries about the actual work that goes on in the world of forensic anthropologists, it is no wonder that the career is getting more attention. Imagine the thrill of helping police to solve a decades-old crime based on bone reconstruction or the satisfaction that comes from helping families of natural disasters find closure when it comes to what may have happened to a loved one.

Forensic anthropology degree programs are perhaps best suited to those who combine a love for science and investigation with an interest in seeing justice served. The degree should help hard-working students to develop the foundational skills required to succeed in both the field and the lab and ultimately thrive as forensic anthropologists.

Anyone wanting to become a forensic anthropologist must be ready to invest heavily in schooling. While some forensic anthropologists have only a master’s degree, in most cases, a PhD is required to be able to work in the field, according to the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA). Those who are working in labs may be able to get a master’s degree and still be able to find work, but many lab scientists pursue doctoral programs to further their careers. The amount of time it can take to complete these degrees varies. Still, students attending full-time can generally complete a bachelor’s of science (BS) degree in forensic anthropology or a related field in four years.

While attending school full-time, they should be able to complete a master’s degree in two years and then move on to a PhD in forensic anthropology, which can take another two or more years. This is the common path for those interested in forensic anthropology.

Once a PhD is obtained, many anthropologists will then go on to receive certification. One of the most popular certifications that forensic anthropologists seek is from the ABFA. This certificate may help forensic anthropologists who are looking for new or different employment options or are wanting to make a solid statement about their expertise. With a degree and certification, forensic anthropologists can pursue careers in a variety of industries and earn salaries well above the national average.

Keep reading for forensic anthropology programs available to students ready to pursue this challenging but fascinating career.

Meet the Expert: Nicholas V. Passalacqua, PhD

Dr. Nicholas V. Passalacqua is the director of forensic anthropology at Western Carolina University. In addition to leading the forensic anthropology program and teaching several classes at the university, he is a co-founder and current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Forensic Anthropology.

Notably, Dr. Passalacqua was the 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Emerging Forensic Scientist Award of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and is the co-author of numerous textbooks centered on his field. Much of his academic research has focussed on the role of ethics in forensic sciences.

ForensicsColleges.com: Forensic anthropology is likely not on everyone’s radar as a standalone field. How would you explain your work to individuals who only have a cursory knowledge of it or may be more familiar with crime scene forensics?

Dr. Passalacqua: Anthropology is the study of humankind. Forensic anthropology is a specialized discipline within anthropology that focuses on the search, recovery, and analysis of contemporary human skeletal remains to establish identity and assist with the determination of cause and manner of death.

This means that forensic anthropologists are experts in forensic archaeology in order to find and collect human remains and associated evidence in outdoor environments. It also means forensic anthropologists are experts in the determination of forensic significance, which is the analysis of questioned items to determine if they are human bones or not.

Forensic anthropologists also assist with identifying unknown individuals through the estimation of the biological profile from human skeletal remains, which is the estimation of an individual’s age, population affinity, sex, and stature, and through the comparison of known medical records like X-rays to x-rays of the unknown individual.

Finally, forensic anthropologists routinely assist with the determination of the cause and manner of death for individuals through the analysis of trauma to the skeleton. Forensic anthropologists primarily work either as faculty teaching at colleges and universities and consulting on local forensic cases as needed, or as full-time staff at coroner’s or medical examiner’s offices.

ForensicsColleges.com: You’ve worked extensively on questions of ethics in forensic anthropology. What ethical issues do you find particularly salient or have you grappled with yourself?

Dr. Passalacqua: I think a big and important ethical issue facing forensic anthropology today is the idea of qualifications and the misrepresentation of who is qualified to practice forensic anthropology. The American Board of Forensic Anthropology is the only accredited body to certify individuals to practice forensic anthropology.

However, there is no legal requirement that to practice forensic anthropology, you need to be certified in the discipline. This has led to individuals practicing forensic anthropology without certification, which has led to some negative outcomes for the case when individuals lacked the expertise needed to actually practice.

ForensicsColleges.com: Do you have any advice for people who are interested in entering this field, whether related to educational planning or other lessons you have learned and would want to impart?

Dr. Passalacqua: If you are interested in being a forensic anthropologist, the most important thing to do is to work with other forensic anthropologists, either as a student taking classes from certified forensic anthropologists and or being trained by a certified forensic anthropologist in a more practical context. Getting engaging practical experiences with forensic anthropologists will give you the best idea of what the discipline really is while building a network of forensic anthropology mentors and giving you the best background to practice forensic anthropology in the future.

Forensic Anthropology, Career & Salary Outlook

Aspiring forensic anthropologists should know that the occupational outlook for forensic science technicians, a closely related occupation, is positive. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) predicts a 13 percent rate of growth between 2022 and 2032 and estimates that 2,300 fresh new forensic science technician positions will be needed. With a degree and certification, forensic anthropologists can pursue careers in a variety of industries and earn salaries well above the national average.

Forensic Anthropology Programs: Common Admissions Prerequisites & Courses

Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Anthropology

While a bachelor’s degree is required to eventually become a forensic anthropologist, in most cases, a BS in forensic anthropology is not necessary. Rather, students can choose to major in anthropology, forensic science, or another science such as biology or chemistry.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g. >2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Cultural anthropology; archaeology; linguistics; genetics; biology; chemistry; physics; anatomy/physiology; zoology; and statistics
• Sample program: University of California at Davis (UC Davis)

Master’s Degree in Forensic Anthropology

Some future forensic anthropologists move directly from a bachelor’s degree program to a doctoral track while others earn a master’s degree first.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from bachelor’s program (e.g., criminal justice, biology, chemistry, forensic science, or related discipline) with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), proof of specific coursework (e.g., introduction to CJ, law, statistics, etc.), personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Osteology; forensic anthropological techniques and procedures; forensic anthropology field methods; biological anthropology theory; taphonomy; human anatomy; crime scene investigation; methods of human identification
• Sample program: Boston University School of Medicine

Doctoral Degree in Forensic Anthropology

As with most PhD programs, doctoral programs for forensic anthropology can be extremely competitive. Applicants should be sure to meet all application requirements and be prepared to apply to more than one program if necessary.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from all university degrees with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.2), completion of specific coursework, resume or CV, personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE), TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Method and theory in cultural anthropology; theory in archaeology; method and theory in biological anthropology; graduate statistics; research methods; dissertation
• Sample program: University of Tennessee Knoxville

Forensic Anthropology Degree & Certificate Programs – Traditional On-Campus

Following are a few of the on-campus forensic anthropology programs that are available to interested students:

Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina offers a bachelor of science in anthropology with a forensic anthropology concentration, available as both a major and minor.

This eight-semester program teaches students the fundamentals of the discipline and hands-on skills in searching and recovering remains, analyzing bones for signs of trauma and postmortem durations, and how this discipline fits into the medicolegal system.

• Location: Cullowhee, NC
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

At Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, students can earn a bachelor of science (BS) degree in applied forensic science with a concentration in forensic anthropology. Coursework includes coursework in criminalistics, crime scene archaeology, and death investigation. Students in this program complete internships with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and local legal and medicolegal examination offices.

The Ted A. Rathbun Osteology Laboratory gives students opportunities to learn hands-on forensic anthropology and criminalistics and participate in research. This specialized degree program can be a stepping stone to graduate programs in forensic anthropology or numerous forensic science careers.

• Location: Erie, PA
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Michigan State University is home to the Michigan State University Forensic Anthropology Laboratory (MSUFAL) where students can choose from a master or doctoral level program. The program has ABFA diplomates on staff, meaning training comes from experienced professionals in the field.

The doctoral program in anthropology offers five specializations, including medical anthropology and physical anthropology, which emphasizes forensic anthropology. In partnership with MSUFAL, this institution has a strong international research presence in Central America, Europe, and East Africa. Students in this program can enroll in classes offered by universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

• Location: East Lansing, MI
• Duration: Two to seven years
• Accreditation: Forensic Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)

At Texas State University (TSU) students can train at the Forensic Anthropology Center of Texas State (FACTS). TSU offers anthropology programs at all levels (BS, MA, and PhD) with undergraduates being eligible to join the university’s Forensic Anthropology Society. In addition to on-campus curriculum, the undergraduate and graduate programs feature hands-on learning through internship and field school learning. The doctoral program prepares students for careers in government, nonprofit, healthcare, museums, corporate, and academic environments.

• Location: San Marcos, TX
• Duration: Two to seven years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Hybrid & Online Forensic Anthropology Programs

Some online classes can help meet a portion of the requirements for degrees in forensic anthropology. However, a fully online degree is impossible due to the hands-on laboratory requirements for training in this field.

Some courses that students of forensic anthropology programs could find online include basic forensic anthropology, pharmacology, toxicology, osteology, and crime scene preservation. These do not necessarily require lab work, and it may be possible to complete them without visiting campus. Obtaining an undergraduate degree from an online program before applying to a graduate program is also possible.

Oregon State University’s e-campus allows students to earn a 180-credit bachelor of science or bachelor of arts in anthropology. Prospective forensic anthropologists may want to choose the archaeology specialization, which also requires 12 hours of fieldwork that can be completed at a location convenient for the students. OSU features an archeology field school experience that awards 12 credits of hands-on experience at locations throughout Oregon.

• Location: Corvallis, OR
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

The University of Florida offers forensic anthropology courses that do not result in a degree, but could help students decide whether they want to pursue the field further. Consisting of two hybrid courses, students can take forensic anthropology courses that emphasize the basic knowledge of human anatomy and osteology. Hands-on learning occurs in a laboratory setting that focuses on human remains recovery and laboratory processes required for forensic anthropology work.

• Location: Gainesville, FL
• Duration: Two semesters
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

At Arizona State University students can earn an online bachelor of arts degree in anthropology. The 120-credit program includes courses in food and culture, globalization, and medical anthropology. Students take 39 classes in 7.5-week terms. Courses include introduction to cultural anthropology; buried cities and lost tribes; and bones, stones, and human evolution. Graduates from this program are prepared for future careers in forensic science or forensic anthropology programs at the graduate level.

• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Accreditation of Forensic Anthropology Programs

Students can evaluate a college or university for programmatic and institutional accreditation.

Programmatic Accreditation

Students who are choosing forensic anthropology schools and certifications should always check to see what bodies are accrediting those schools first. Programmatic accreditation evaluates the quality of a specific discipline such as forensic anthropology. However, there are no accrediting bodies that are specific to forensic anthropology. While the Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) offers accreditation to forensic science programs, they do not currently accredit forensic anthropology programs.

Institutional Accreditation

In addition to programmatic accreditation, which represents that the school was thoroughly evaluated for faculty, facilities, and curricula, students should research a school’s institutional accreditation affiliation. Some of the accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) include:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)