A medical anthropologist spends a lot of time researching, writing and reading. Jobs are available in hospitals, clinics, academic settings, in the government and in private research facilities. A medical anthropologist's career begins in school; the field requires many years of study and multiple degrees to enter. Many medical anthropologists are physicians who decide that they would rather work in research than in clinical practice. On the other hand, some medical anthropologists have Ph.D.s in anthropology and then decide to attend medical school for a different experience, though a medical degree is not necessary to enter the field.
Becoming a medical anthropologist requires a graduate degree in the field of medical anthropology. A doctoral degree is needed to become a professor of anthropology or to work at certain facilities, but a master's degree is the minimum educational level to work in the field. Graduate programs in medical anthropology generally last three to seven years and require research, class work and written papers to graduate. Many medical anthropologists also have medical degrees, which can help them research more thoroughly in certain situations.
Many specific graduate programs in the United States offer degrees in medical anthropology, including Boston University, Brown University, the University of California at San Francisco, Harvard University, the University of Arizona and the University of Kansas. Programs are also offered at Buffalo University, Emory University, San Diego State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Montana, Yale University and University of Iowa. Other schools also offer such degrees, so it is important to research the school before applying and entering the program to make sure that it is a good match for you.
It is important to have a commitment to the field of medical anthropology before beginning work on your degrees, as it is a long process. A bachelor's degree in anthropology, sociology, sciences or psychology can help you enter graduate school with the basic knowledge to succeed. Attention to detail and a desire to do research are very important characteristics that graduate schools look for in degree candidates. Talk with a medical anthropologist to find out more about the career and what it entails before you decide.