African-American and Black Studies
Overview
Programs in African-American and black studies focus on the lives of people whose ancestors came to the Americas from Africa.African-American and black studies programs include topics such as:
- History
- Sociology
- Art
- Customs and culture
- Economics
- Religion
- Political theory
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in African-American and black studies. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in African-American and black studies. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Colleges that do not have separate programs in African-American and black studies may offer elective courses as part of a major in interdisciplinary studies or liberal arts.
Several universities offer graduate degrees in African-American and black studies. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- African Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Ethnic Studies
- History
- Humanities
- Jazz Studies
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Social Sciences, General
- Sociology
Related Careers
Careers to Consider
- Anthropologists
- Archivists
- Curators
- Geographers
- High School Teachers
- Historians
- Market Research Analysts
- Museum Technicians and Conservators
- Political Scientists
- Sociologists
- University and College Teachers
- Writers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Contemporary World Issues
- Economics
- Humanities
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Second Language
- Sociology
- US Ethnic and Gender Studies
- World Area Studies
- World Geography
- World History
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Your bachelor's degree should be in this program of study or a related major such as history, political science, or literature. If it isn't, you should take several courses that are related to race and ethnicity in some way.
Additional requirements at many schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Academic writing sample
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anthropology
- Cultural and Ethnic Relationships
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Language (Pidgin and Creole)
- Literature
- Political Systems
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Research Methodology
- Sociology
Graduate Program Courses
Course work in graduate programs varies. However, the outline of a typical graduate curriculum looks like the following:
- Core courses
- Comprehensive oral and written exams (doctoral degree only)
- Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)
Things to Know
A background in this program of study prepares you for careers related to race issues such as civil rights law and multicultural education.
Schools
Spokane Area
Eastern Washington University
- Africana Studies
- Race & Culture Studies
Tacoma Area
University of Puget Sound
- African American Studies
West Side Area
Evergreen State College, The
- African American Studies