African and African American Studies (Graduate Certificate)
Deepen expertise in African and African American studies through an interdisciplinary graduate certificate you can pursue on its own or alongside another degree. Explore contemporary issues like racial formation and health disparities.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
African and African American Studies graduate certificate description
The graduate certificate program in African and African American studies focuses on interdisciplinary study of the peoples, history and cultures of Africa and the multifaceted experiences of people of African descent in Europe and the Americas. You gain access to an extensive range of information and systematic knowledge committed to the new model of African and African diaspora studies that focuses on the intersections of race, culture and gender with transdisciplinary perspectives.
Courses examine interdisciplinary approaches to studying race, ethnicity, social justice, gender, citizenship and economic development. You study issues in African and African American history, migration patterns, art, literature, religion, family life and education, as well as how race and institutional racism have impacted the development of African descended people in America and around the world.
This program offers an international dimension to the study of peoples and cultures of African descent, enabling you to enhance your knowledge about global issues and expand your research pursuits. The program highlights the faculty members' intellectual and research strengths, and the curriculum's transdisciplinary strategies and research approaches that emphasize the continuities and disjuncture of history and experiences throughout Africa and the diaspora.
Why earn an African and African American studies graduate certificate at ASU?
Housed in the School of Social Transformation, this graduate certificate carries a strong social justice mission and connects you to related graduate programs in women's and gender studies, justice studies, American studies and Asian Pacific American studies.
Additional details
On ASU campus, you find student organizations and events centered on Black student life, African and African American culture and social justice.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
15 credit hours
Required Core (3 credit hours) Electives (12 credit hours)
AFR 502 Africa and African Diaspora World (3)
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Graduates will be able to employ appropriate theory and methods in the study of the African diaspora at a graduate level.
- Graduates will be able to practically and professionally apply knowledge of the African diaspora.
Graduates will be able to employ appropriate theory and methods in the study of the African diaspora at a graduate level.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Students who are not regularly admitted to a graduate degree program may still pursue the certificate. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program. When applicable, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in a master's degree program. Applicants must submit: Additional Admission Information International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program before being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the U.S. on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for this certificate program. Official copies of transcripts must be submitted from all colleges and universities where the applicant earned a bachelor's or master's degree.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master's degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this African and African American studies graduate certificate prepares you for
Students who earn a graduate certificate in African and African American studies have many career opportunities, including:
- pursuing a career in journalism, teaching, law enforcement, social policy, human rights or civil rights
- starting their own business
- writing novels or screenplays
They also may attend graduate school in any number of disciplines, including anthropology, archeology, history, political science, psychology and sociology, or attend medical school or law school.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
SSTgraduate@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
