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African American Studies

Gain in-depth understanding of Africa and the African Diaspora — U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America — and insight into contemporary global issues facing Africana people when you choose one of the concentrations in this major.

Career Potential

  • Government service
  • Political engagement at the national, state and local levels
  • Teaching and Research
  • Journalism
  • Community Development
  • International Affairs and Development
  • Family and Discrimination Law

What Will I Learn?

You’ll engage in a rigorous intellectual, socio-political, historical and cultural curriculum that emphasizes:

  • Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to effectively tackle contemporary societal problems to serve the Africana world in particular and humanity in general
  • Multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary courses that expose you to a wide array of contrasting thought
  • Debate on important contrasting controversies in the discipline

Concentration Options

African American Sociological, Political and Community Development

Get the knowledge and background you’ll need to be a community builder and activist or for graduate work.

African and African American History

Prepare for a variety of career options such as government service, nonprofit organization, journalism, international affairs and others.

Special Features

  • Credit-bearing internships
  • Study abroad in Africa
  • Nationally and internationally recognized faculty
  • Kente Cloth Ceremony at graduation

Get Involved

Students singing in the Gospel Choir

Independent research with a faculty mentor is a central part of your academic experience. You will have opportunities to present your research at national conferences or to co-author a scholarly paper with your professor. You also can gain first-hand knowledge of Africa through study abroad programs in Ghana and Kenya.

Next Steps