Why study forensic anthropology at Washburn?

Did you know that Washburn University is one of only three institutions in the U.S. where you can earn a Bachelor of Science in anthropology with a forensic concentration? With the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Unit (WU-FARU) and Washburn's partnership with the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI), you'll get opportunities here you can’t get anywhere else!

Career Forecast Bright OutlookAverage Salary $60,590 with advanced degreeon campus

What is forensic anthropology?

Forensic anthropology uses what we know about human biology, past cultures, and archaeology to help answer questions for medical and legal matters. Forensic anthropologists visit crime scenes to recover human remains that are usually skeletonized or decomposed and then analyze the skeleton in the laboratory to help with identification and information related to how a person died.
Two students examine a skull during class

What sets forensic anthropology at Washburn apart?

  • Washburn is one of only a few universities where you have the opportunity for real forensic case experience as an undergraduate with the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit (WU-FARU) and Kansas' only professor that is an ABFA board-certified forensic anthropologist.
  • Gain valuable laboratory experience in our forensic anthropology teaching classroom and field experience in our dig site at the state-of-the-art WU/KBI Forensic Science Center.
  • Your program will focus on hands-on and experiential learning—using advanced equipment/technology that is used by professionals in the field and by using our extensive skeletal, fossil cast and animal collections.
  • Find your people on campus with the Sociology/Anthropology Club and the Forensic Science Club.
  • Established partnerships with the KBI, Kansas Historical Society and local coroner and medical examiners offices provide students with internship opportunities suited to their future career goals.
  • You'll also have the opportunity to work with faculty mentors that are active in the field and conduct original research, attend and present at conferences or publish with faculty mentors.
  • Scholarships are available.

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Admissions scholarships

Washburn University offers generous scholarships based on your interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success.

SOAN department scholarships

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology (SOAN) may award scholarships to students actively pursuing a sociology or anthropology degree. All SOAN Majors (BA Anthropology, BS Anthropology and BA Sociology) can apply for the SOAN Department Scholarship, with funds distributed the following fall semester. To be eligible for the SOAN Department Scholarship, students must be a declared major in sociology or anthropology and have an overall and program GPA of 3.0 or above. To apply for the SOAN Department Scholarship, students complete a short application form sent out annually by the SOAN department chair during the spring semester.

WU-FARU Scholarship

The Washburn University Forensic Recovery Unity (WU-FARU) may award scholarships to WU-FARU student volunteers. To be eligible for the WU-FARU Scholarship, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above, an anthropology-specific GPA of 3.5 or above, and have volunteered for at least 20 hours of WU-FARU casework outside of class time. (Volunteers will have also completed all WU-FARU training and submitted their signed documentation forms.) To apply for the WU-FARU Scholarship, students complete a short application form sent out annually by the SOAN department chair during the spring semester.

Tuition and fees

Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate Rate.

Financial aid

Washburn University offers generous undergraduate financial aid, including scholarships and grants.

Tuition waivers

If you don’t currently live in Kansas, learn about our Tuition Waiver programs that may qualify you for in-state tuition.

Fill out the Undergraduate Admissions Application and enroll to pursue the B.S. in anthropology (forensics concentration). It's common to declare a major in anthropology at enrollment and then determine your specific interest.

Students who have successfully completed upper division courses and have completed additional training are eligible to apply to volunteer with the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit (WU-FARU). This enables you to assist faculty with active forensic casework in Kansas, Missouri and beyond.

 

Upper level students also are eligible to apply for internships with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

This bachelor of science degree can be completed in four years, with 80% completing it in that time.

With a B.S. anthropology (forensics concentration) degree, job opportunities include positions in the medico-legal field, federal, state, local government, international organizations, public and private forensic laboratories, medical examiner and coroner's office, crime scene recovery teams and forensic laboratory technicians.

To become certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology as a forensic anthropology analyst or diplomate, graduate education is required. Pursue advanced education in areas like anthropology, medical school, mortuary school and physicians' assistant programs.

Set for success

CAREER FORECAST: bright outlook

Qualities for success

Critical-thinking

Problem-solving

Detail oriented

Communication and collaboration 

Student/faculty ratio

16:1

Specialized laboratories and resources

WU-FARU forensic case laboratory
WU-FARU forensic case processing and maceration laboratory in the Shawnee County Coroner's Office
Dig site outside the Forensic Sciences Center
Heather Greathouse

Meet alumni Heather Greathouse

Heather Greathouse enjoyed the more personal experience at Washburn, connecting with her professors while pursuing a degree in forensic anthropology. While at Washburn, Heather volunteered with the WU-FARU on forensic casework and published original research with faculty. Heather is currently a death investigator for Forensic Medical of Kansas, which is contracted through the Shawnee County Coroner’s Office.

Other anthropology programs

If you want to explore contemporary or past human cultures, how culture and environment can affect one’s biology, human evolution and our closely related nonhuman primates, or even the development and social maintenance of human languages, anthropology may be the right discipline for you.

WU-FARU

You can work with the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit to gain experience
WU-FARU program

Become an Ichabod

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WTE program

The Washburn Transformational Experience program helps you follow your dreams with experiences outside of the classroom
WTE program

GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Sociology & Anthropology

Sociology & Anthropology Department
West Hall, Room 100
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

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