The University of Florida is based in Gainesville and is the oldest university in the state. The institution's anthropology department is ranked as one of the best in the country. While the university aims for a holistic approach to anthropology, it lists six areas which act as programmatic foci for students and their teachers. The university asserts these are areas "in need of innovative research " and claims the knowledge learned within these thematic fields have many practical applications.
Among the programmatic foci are the analysis of human rights in the context of social conflict and justice, with a particular emphasis on indigenous cultures; the relationship between people and their physical environment; and the way in which culture and biology interrelate.
The University of Florida offers undergraduate and graduate courses in anthropology. Undergraduates are required to concentrate on one of the four sub-fields offered - cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistics or archaeology - but will be granted a degree in anthropology regardless of their chosen specification.
Meanwhile, graduate students can choose a master of arts (MA) or Ph.D course in the fields of cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, medical anthropology or forensic anthropology.
Florida State University is located in Tallahassee and has taught anthropology since 1950. The university offers undergraduate degrees, masters courses and Ph.Ds in the main sub-fields of anthropology - socio-cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics. Some of the courses available include studies of religion, primate behavior and underwater archaeology.
The institution also notes its proximity to various organizations in the area that may be of interest to students of anthropology, particularly for the opportunity to take on internships or employment. These include the Southeastern Archeological Center of the National Park Service, the Bureau of Archaeological Research of the Division of Historic Resources and The United States Forest Services.
The University of Central Florida is in Orlando, and offers a bachelor of arts in anthropology as well as several minors in the discipline for undergraduate students. Minors available are multicultural studies, Indian studies and medical anthropology.
Students of the bachelor of arts program will study within all four main sub-fields of anthropology - cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics. Meanwhile, graduate students working toward a master of arts in anthropology will be able to choose their own direction of study across these subdivisions.
The University of South Florida is based in Tampa and, since it was established in 1960, has grown to be ranked as within the top 63 universities in the U.S The institution offers a bachelor of arts, master of arts and Ph.D in anthropology across the disciplines four main sub-fields, but concentrates particularly on contemporary anthropology. As well as learning through research, students can take on internships and service learning in the local area.
The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola and its Division of Anthropology and Archaeology claims that its courses offer hands-on experience to students that sets it apart from its peers. The college is also responsible for teaching sociology and is home to the Florida Public Archaeology Network and the Archaeology Institute.
The university offers a BA and MA in anthropology. Undergraduates must choose to concentrate on either cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology or general anthropology. Those opting for the archaeological course will have the opportunity to study shipwrecks.
Graduate students can earn a master of arts in anthropology or historical archaeology. The 13 faculty members specialize in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and marine and terrestrial archaeology.
The Nova Southeastern University, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, offers minors in anthropology, which can be combined with any major of minor. Meanwhile, the Florida International University offers a bachelor of arts in anthropology and sociology with an anthropology track.