The Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology focuses on human cultural and biological diversity and our impact on past and present environments. Anthropology’s relevance to other areas of study, including sociology, social-psychology, biology and pre-medicine, links it to culture area studies, community planning and public health. Majors who focus on the biological aspect of human evolution will benefit from the freshman-level human evolution laboratory. Kent State's anthropology program provides in-depth area studies in the South Pacific (cultural anthropology), Mesoamerica and Ohio (archaeology).

A degree in Anthropology prepares students for working with people, regardless of the specific career. It may be a stepping stone to higher degrees and/or careers in law school, medicine, or education; it may serve as a final degree in human biology or behavior, or, it may be preparation for graduate school in anthropology. Regardless, a background with strength in human cultural and biological diversity is a gateway to a variety of careers. A recent study of students graduating with a BA in Anthropology from a major eastern university found careers in a variety of disciplines (sales, public health, teaching K-12, law, marketing, social work, school administration, small business, medicine, family counseling) (Omohundro, 2001). Some of these individuals went on to higher degrees in other fields; others found careers after having completed their BA. About 75% of Anthropologists with Ph.Ds and some with Master of Arts degrees are teaching in colleges and universities (Omohundro, 2001). Many of those employed in academia also conduct research, often in foreign countries, but also in the U.S. (in cities, zoos, etc.). Since the 1980's employment in the non-academic sector has improved in volume and diversity with anthropologists employed in government positions (about 14%: such as the FBI, CIA, and EPA, and federally funded museums like the Smithsonian Institution), non-governmental positions (about 11%: for example conservation organizations – World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, Nature Conservancy, international relief organizations, the United Nations) and for-profit organizations (about 25%, for example, in state or county museums, zoos, coroner’s offices, contract archaeology companies, and self-employed consultants). Employment opportunities for MA professionals in archaeology are particularly good because of opportunities of employment in the public sector.