Online Bachelor of Arts in African and African American Studies
Examine African and African American history, culture, politics and art in the African American and African Studies online degree. You’ll study global issues that impact African descended people including racial formation, institutional racism, African migration, art, literature, religion and education to learn how to lead the change for a more equitable society.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/08/2024
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
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What is African American and African Studies?
African American and African Studies is an interdisciplinary degree focused on the experience of African descended people in the past and present.
History-based courses examine pre-colonial Africa, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and African migration. The program places a special emphasis on studying the African diaspora, or the communities of African descended people around the world as a result of migrations. Courses in this degree explore the culture, art, histories and politics of communities across the African diaspora in the Americas, Caribbean, Europe and continental Africa.
The degree also delves into the impact of institutional racism around the world. In a critical race theory course, you’ll examine how race is used, constructed and contested in America. Elective courses focus on racism in fields such as medicine, criminal justice, politics and education.
What skills will I earn in an African American and African degree?
This African Studies and African diaspora focused degree bridges the humanities, social sciences and arts. You'll learn a wide range of skills from these disciplines. Courses will teach you how to combine information from various fields to analyze and solve complex problems. You'll also develop strong research abilities, cultural communication skills and diversity awareness. These skills will prepare you to lead efforts to build more equitable workplaces and environments across society.
Will my African and African American studies degree say 'online'?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
African and African American Studies courses
Courses in this degree cover all aspects of the African American and African experience. Required courses examine the impact of various historical events and institutional racism. Elective courses delve deeper into these topics and also cover culture, art, literature and music across Africa and the African diaspora.
AFR 200: Introduction to Africana Studies (SB & G & H)
AFR 300: Precolonial Africa (SB & G & H)
AFR 305: The Global History of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (SB & H)
AFR 428: Critical Race Theory
Jobs for graduates with an African American and African Studies degree
The African Studies and African American Studies degree will equip you with essential critical thinking and communication skills needed for a variety of careers. You’ll be especially well prepared for diversity and inclusion related jobs as a social worker, multicultural assistant or diversity officer. Past graduates from this degree have gone to careers in journalism, teaching, social policy and civil rights activism.
Anthropology Professor
High School Teacher
History Professor
Investment Fund Manager
Judge
Lawyer
Mediator
Political Analyst
Political Science Professor
Study with sociologists and historians in African Studies
As a student in the African American and African Studies program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with faculty dedicated to social justice. Faculty members have extensive expertise in the struggles and accomplishments of people of African descent throughout history and modern society. From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
Study with sociologists and historians in African Studies
As a student in the African American and African Studies program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with faculty dedicated to social justice. Faculty members have extensive expertise in the struggles and accomplishments of people of African descent throughout history and modern society. From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
Requirements for African and African American Studies admission
first-year student
You are considered a first-year student for application purposes if you have not attended college at all, or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours (with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA).
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Join a leading school in cultural and social change
The School of Social Transformation focuses on transformational knowledge across society. This includes creative research approaches to themes and questions embedded in broader historical, social and cultural contexts. We prepare our students to be informed members of the public. Our graduates are interdisciplinary, team-oriented, real-world problem-solvers that can thrive in any environment, career or pursuit.
8:1
student-to-faculty ratio.
48
tenure and tenure-track faculty.
35%
first-generation students.
57%
of students are racially or ethnically diverse.
Tuition calculator
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 receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
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 receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
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