Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about experiences in anthropology? Below are the answers to some of the most common questions. If you have additional questions that we didn’t answer, please contact us.

General Questions

  • Yes, yes, and YES! There are many combinations you can do to get both kinds of experiences and maximize the credit/minimize the courses you are paying for. Check out How Do I Get Experience? to see some of the options and then make an appointment with your RCHSS advisor and/or a faculty member you want to work with.

  • In addition to this site and your professors, we strongly recommend that you these two things:

    1. Join the Student Anthropology Club. Throughout the year, the SAC offers a wide range of opportunities for you to get experience in outreach, leadership, and other transferable skills. The easiest way to build up your resume is to take advantage of these many opportunities! Faculty members often advertise new course offerings and research opportunities with the club, so you’ll be the first to know. Plus, SAC meetings usually have free food.
    2. Follow the Department of Geography and Anthropology on social media. Faculty members use these platforms to advertise their courses, research and field schools, and jobs/internships they come across.
  • Check out our How to Register section by navigating to Getting Started for all of the details.
  • If you are an anthropology major, you must complete 3 credit hours of ANTH 3397 (practicum) or ANTH 3398 (internship). However, we strongly encourage you to get as many experiences as you can during your time at KSU! Most of those experiences will not be for credit, and thus you won’t have to pay for them. Check out the Build Your Resume page for more info.
  • Probably, but it’s not a guarantee. If you wait until the last minute, you may find that faculty are either fully booked, or are not offering a practicum that semester. A research practicum is a serious undertaking and should be planned ahead of time.

Internship Questions

  • Yesterday. Just kidding! However, many internship programs open their application window six months to a year before you will actually intern. At a minimum, you need to start inquiring about opportunities at the start of the semester prior to the one in which you want to register. For example, if you want to do an internship in the spring semester, you need to start the process of looking for one in September.

  • You can complete an internship during any semester.

  • Nope! We offer 1-credit hour Springternships during spring break. Look out for information regarding Springternships in the fall semester. You can complete a combination of 3 Springternships to reach your requirements for the major.
  • Yes, if your friend or family member is an anthropologist OR they work at a cultural institution. 

  • Yes, and we encourage it! 

  • Yes, if your current job is at an organization appropriate for internships. Your supervisor must be able to provide you with 150 hours of new tasks and responsibilities that allow you to gain new skills.

  • Yes, as long as you find an appropriate placement and a willing supervisor. A field school is a good example of an international internship. Taking a study abroad class does not count as an internship. When setting up an internship abroad, make sure you plan for a way to communicate with the Internship Coordinator from overseas. Check out the KSU Education Abroad Office to get started.

  • Yes, but you still need to register for ANTH 3398 if you want to use the field school to complete your major requirements.

  • Yes, you can complete your required 150 hours at the pace that works best for you. However, you must still complete the required assignments for the course and continue to communicate with the Internship Coordinator.

  • It’s always a good idea to check! Contact us to discuss your idea.

Research Practicum Questions

  • Yesterday. Just kidding! While anthropology faculty have lots of exciting research, they also have lots of other responsibilities. At a minimum, you need to start inquiring about opportunities at the start of the semester prior to the one in which you want to register. For example, if you want to do an practicum in the spring semester, you need to start the process of connecting with a professor in the fall.

  • You can complete a practicum during any semester that a faculty member is available to take you.

  • Great! Check out How Do I Get Experience? to review some of the options. Then, go talk to a faculty member whose area of study is interesting to you!
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