Academic Programs Catalog

The Masters of Arts degree in African American and African Studies (AAAS) is an interdisciplinary degree program of study devoted to advanced exploration and analysis of Black Worlds. In AAAS, we aim to prepare students to make a transformative impact with communities and organizations dedicated to advancing life-affirming conditions for all Black peoples. The professional master's degree program prepares students for positions and leadership in community work, culture, media, education, entrepreneurship, and institution-building.

Students in the master's program concentrate in one of three fields of study: Black Cultures and Institutions, Black Girlhood Studies, or Black Speculative Ecologies. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field are welcomed to join AAAS as a master's student. Additionally, we encourage students to pursue a dual-degree master's. AAAS is an inherently interdisciplinary department and Black Studies is a versatile discipline that spans numerous investigative approaches and topic areas.

Admission

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

1. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
2. Submit a personal statement and an academic purpose stating personal and professional goals, disciplinary interests in AAAS, and desired concentration of study.
3. Submit two copies of official transcripts demonstrating an earned Bachelor’s degree in an area of study appropriate for advanced work in AAAS.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with your course work, professional experience, and community works using the University’s Letter of Recommendation Form for Admission.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in African American and African Studies

The program is available under Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). A total of 33 credits is required. With the approval of the student’s advisor, the student must choose an area of concentration. The student must:

1.	Complete both of the following courses (6 credits):
	AAAS	833	Black Worlds: Historical and Contemporary Issues						3
	AAAS	834	Black Worlds: Theories and Methodologies						3
2.	Complete 9 credits in the tutorial suite courses. Students must take 4 credits in one tutorial course. The maximum amount of credits allowed in any one tutorial course is 6 credits.
	AAAS	840	Black Girlhood Studies						1 to 3
	AAAS	850	Black Cultures and Institutions						1 to 3
	AAAS	860	Black Speculative Ecologies						1 to 3
3.	Complete 9 elective credits from the following. At least 3 credits must be at the 800-level.
	AAAS	821	Collaboration, Research and Methodologies						3
	AAAS	841	Seminar in Black Feminist Studies						3
	AAAS	861	Seminar in Black Sexualities Studies						3
	AAAS	871	Seminar in Black Genders Studies						3
	AAAS	891	Special Topics in African American and African Studies						3
	AAAS	893A	Pedagogical Project						3
	AAAS	893C	Community Engagement Project						3
	Other AAAS 400 level or higher courses relevant to AAAS as approved by an academic advisor.
4.	Complete the following Professional Development requirements (3 credits):
	AAAS	895	Professional Development						2
	AAAS	897	Colloquium						1
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
	AAAS	892	Master’s Thesis Planning						2
	AAAS	899	Master’s Thesis Research						4
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
	AAAS	894	Master's Project Planning						2
	AAAS	898	Master's Capstone Project						4

 

The doctoral program in African American and African Studies (AAAS) at MSU offers exclusive advanced study in black studies with vanguard scholars who work to forward the power and scope of black lives, worlds, and world building. This boutique doctoral experience emphasizes intensive instruction and copiously supportive dissertation project supervision. Our work is informed by an expectation that the work of black studies is significant and meaningful to each student. This program is best suited for students with a strong sense of direction for postgraduate study. Cohorts are small and every graduate program of study is tailored to the individual student. We believe there are definite markers for success for each Ph.D. student and we help guide their efforts towards fulfilling those goals. The doctoral program in AAAS offers exclusive advanced study in black feminisms, genders, and sexualities studies with concentrations in Black Cultures and Institutions, Black Girlhood Studies, or Black Speculative Ecologies.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in African American and African Studies, an applicant must:

1. Submit a personal statement, written or audio.
2. Submit a written statement of academic purpose stating professional goals and disciplinary interests in AAAS.
3. Submit a writing sample, usually a recent research paper, or sample of creative work, to the Department of African American and African Studies in the College of Arts and Letters.

To be admitted, the applicant must have a master’s degree in an appropriate field or have completed at least 30 credits of approved course work beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Guidance Committee

Upon admission, you are assigned an interim advisor and faculty member to serve on your Guidance Committee. During the first year of study, you prepare a guidance committee approved course of study document that stipulates course work, scholarly development, and dissertation/final project. The document should include the student's learning goals as well as their professional and academic background towards a rationale for their declared concentration area.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in African American and African Studies

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Arts and Letters, students must complete 24 credits of AAAS 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research and the approved course of study as approved by the student’s guidance committee. Students will submit a dissertation proposal to the guidance committee and pass an oral examination in defense of the proposal. Students must successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.