Anthropology - Medical Anthropology and Global Health
The Anthropology: Medical Anthropology and Global Health Bachelor of Arts program at Pennsylvania University is a four-year, full-time undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human health, illness, and medical systems in global contexts. The curriculum integrates cultural anthropology, public health, epidemiology, sociology, and research methods, enabling students to examine how social, cultural, and environmental factors influence health outcomes. Students engage in ethnographic research, fieldwork, and applied projects, developing analytical and practical skills to address health disparities and contribute to evidence-based interventions in diverse communities.
Throughout the program, students work closely with faculty mentors, health practitioners, and community organizations, gaining hands-on experience in research, policy analysis, and global health initiatives. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates to analyze health issues from multiple perspectives. Students leave the program with research competence, analytical skills, cultural insight, and applied knowledge, fully equipped for careers or advanced study in public health, global health, medical research, or anthropology.
Key information
Key Facts
- Program Title: Anthropology - Medical Anthropology and Global Health
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
- Application Deadline: 05 January 2026
- Location: University of Pennsylvania, United States
- Field of Study: Anthropology
- Language of Instruction: English
Program Structure
Year 1 – Foundations in Medical Anthropology and Global Health
- Introduction to Anthropology
- Principles of Public Health and Global Health
- Research Methods and Data Analysis
- Human Biology and Health Systems
Year 2 – Intermediate Study and Health Contexts
- Cultural Anthropology and Health Practices
- Epidemiology and Disease Studies
- Health Policy and Social Determinants
- Elective: Nutrition, Environmental Health, or Bioethics
Year 3 – Advanced Topics and Fieldwork
- Comparative Medical Systems
- Global Health Challenges and Interventions
- Field Research and Applied Studies
- Elective: Infectious Disease, Health Communication, or Biostatistics
Year 4 – Capstone and Professional Integration
- Senior Thesis or Independent Research Project
- Seminar in Contemporary Global Health Issues
- Applied Policy and Community Projects
- Professional Portfolio Development
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Medical Anthropology and Global Health program are prepared for careers in public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, international development, policy analysis, and health advocacy. Alumni may work as health researchers, program coordinators, policy analysts, or pursue graduate study in global health, public health, anthropology, or medicine. The program equips graduates with the ability to conduct research, evaluate health interventions, and analyze social determinants of health. With strong analytical, cultural, and research skills, graduates are highly competitive for positions that require interdisciplinary knowledge, critical reasoning, and applied problem-solving in global health and medical anthropology contexts.
Why Choose This Program
This program is distinguished by its integration of cultural analysis, health studies, research methodology, and applied global practice within a four-year curriculum. Students benefit from mentorship, fieldwork opportunities, and interdisciplinary projects that bridge anthropology, health science, and policy. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, ethical engagement, and problem-solving, preparing graduates to assess health systems, design interventions, and contribute to global health initiatives. For students passionate about understanding health in cultural and global contexts, analyzing complex health disparities, and applying anthropological insight to real-world challenges, this program offers a rigorous, immersive, and career-focused pathway to professional and academic success.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 215 898 5000
Email: admissions@upenn.edu
Address: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
