The Department of Anthropology at the University of Arizona offers one of the nation's most attractive and unique programs in applied anthropology. While BARA, as an academic research unit, does not offer a degree, its faculty are actively engaged in the teaching and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Anthropology. BARA also offers applied students a rare opportunity to participate in on-going research and outreach projects. This dynamic synergy between classroom theory and applied field experience is the hallmark of the applied program at the University of Arizona.

Applied anthropology at the UA is committed to the development and training of professional anthropologists, who will use their applied skills to help understand and solve problems in our increasingly globalized and diverse society. The applied faculty is comprised of members of the Department of Anthropology and BARA. In the graduate program, applied students take the suite of required core courses in the Department as well as the core applied courses that have been developed by BARA faculty. The applied curriculum also includes courses on the skills areas associated with each of the four research programs in BARA. Since much of BARA's research is interdisciplinary across departments and colleges, applied students are also exposed to skill area courses in other departments, such as remote sensing, GIS applications, planning, education, etc.

The philosophical and pedagogical foundation of the applied program is built upon the critical interdependence of theory and practice in the production of knowledge. Thus, BARA systematically incorporates students into its array of research projects and seeks to instill them with the essential analytical and research skills that will propel them into fulfilling careers both inside and outside of academia. At any given time, BARA provides research support to around 20 students, and BARA offers the William H. Kelly Award to one in-coming graduate student each year.

One of the major attractions of the applied program at Arizona has been the sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the applied students themselves. The applied students at Arizona have outstanding intellectual credentials and, as importantly, highly diverse and interesting backgrounds. BARA acknowledges the tremendous amount of co-learning that occurs as students share their experiences with each other and work together, and BARA seeks to foster a sense of the applied family of faculty, staff, and students who are all engaged in the same important mission of the pursuit of knowledge.