African American Studies, M.A.

Credits: 30
CIP Code: 50201

Program Overview

The African American Studies Program was established in the late 1960s. The African American Studies Program is designed for students with professional interest in a comprehensive understanding of African American or African diaspora culture needed for work in their target community and to equip educators with knowledge of and sensitivity to the teaching of African, African American, and cultures in the African diaspora.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the General Admissions Requirements as published in this Catalog, applicants to the Master of Arts degree in African American Studies must have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in twenty-four (24) credits of undergraduate study in an established discipline in the humanities, social sciences, or professional fields. Applicants with less than the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate major but who otherwise show excellent promise of success may be conditionally admitted with the recommendations of the Department Admissions Committee and the Department Chair. GRE required.

Program Objectives

To provide a comprehensive knowledge of concepts and theories related to African American and African diaspora cultures.
Prepare graduates for diverse professions in education, research, government and civic services that require an understanding of people of African descent to work in targeted communities.
Equip educators with knowledge and sensitivity to the teaching of African, African American, and African diaspora cultures.
Prepare students for opportunities in continuing or advanced studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students pursuing the Master of Arts Degrees in African American Studies will:

Demonstrate mastery of principles related to the lived black experience from multiple positions and their implications on society.
Apply theoretical knowledge of Afrocentricity, Afrocentric historiography, and the history of African people nationally and globally to construct a research-based thesis or non-thesis project.
Identify and communicate effectively in written and oral formats issues related to African Americans and people of African descent.
Advocate the values of African, African American people and African diaspora cultures.
Conduct systematic analysis of the convergence of gender, class, and racial bias through the application of historical and contemporary knowledge of African Americans and people of African descent.

AAS Degree Requirements

In addition to the General Degree Requirements as published in this Catalog, students pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in African American Studies may select a thesis or a non-thesis option at the time of admission to the degree program. Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete two capstone courses and submit written projects demonstrating knowledge of the thesis preparation process. Students may only take a maximum of two (2) directed studies courses. A written comprehensive examination is required. An oral defense of the thesis or non-thesis project is required.