Students can declare a major/minor in Anthropology or Anthropology-GHE through WorkDay. We encourage you contact the undergraduate Program Coordinator, Erin Coleman, or the Director of Undergraduate Studies to learn more about our courses, program structure, and extracurricular activities.  

The GHE Specialization is a track within the Anthropology department for which students enroll in pre-approved courses that are related to humans and global health or humans and the environment (or both) to strengthen their understanding in these two areas of study. Click here for more information and the list of pre-approved courses.  

Yes, courses (also called “cross-listed courses”) that are offered outside the Anthropology department across WashU A&S and have anthropological content can be counted toward our major/minor. Click here to see the list of non-Anthropology courses that are pre-approved for the major/minor. Our program page lists how many credits from non-Anthropology courses can be counted toward the major/minor.  

a. Curriculum Changes (effective July 1, 2025): The two GHE-specific required courses, ANTHRO 3283 and ANTHRO 3610, will no longer be offered as part of the regular Anthropology curriculum.  

            i. ANTHRO 3283 Introduction to Global Health is no longer offered in the Anthropology department. The following courses are alternatives to ANTHRO 3283 and count as 3 credits toward the required courses of the Anthropology-GHE major/minor: 

                      1) PHS 2000 Introduction to Global Public Health is the new course number for ANTHRO 3283 and will be offered every semester through the  Public Health and Society program.  

                      2)  ANTHRO 3310 Health, Healing and Ethics  

         ii. ANTHRO 3610 Culture and Environment may be offered intermittently in the Anthropology department and through CAPS (Continuing and Professional Studies). The following Anthropology courses are approved alternatives for ANTHRO 3610: 

                     1)  ANTHRO 3149 Caring for Country 

                     2)  ANTHRO 3615 Environmental Anthropology 

                     3)  ANTHRO 3182 Ancient Africa: Social Mosaics and Environmental Challenges 

                    4)  ANTHRO 3472 Global Energy and the American Dream 

a. Class of 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029: Students who entered WashU before or during the 2025/2026 Academic Year or earlier will be able to declare the Anthropology/GHE major in the Anthropology Department. Please be aware of the curricular changes to the program (see question direction above this one) and consult with the Anthropology Program Coordinator, Major Advisor, or the Director of Undergraduate Studies to identify alternative course offerings (see 4.a.i and 4.a.ii). 

b. Class of 2030 and later: Students entering WashU in or after the 2026/2027 Academic Year will not be able to declare the Anthropology/GHE specialization in the Anthropology Department. Students will still be able to declare an Anthropology major/minor for which they can choose the same electives from a broad range of courses that cover human health and the environment.