This interdisciplinary major provides students with vital analytical, writing, research, and communication skills. The curriculum emphasizes engagement with anthropology, mass communications, education, English, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, and women’s studies. The program also includes courses that emphasize US-Canadian, US-Caribbean, and US-African relations and assists students in finding internships for college credit, research opportunities for graduate school, applying for study abroad programs, and positioning in a wide-variety of careers.

After obtaining a degree in African American Studies, students can seek careers in management and industry, communications and media, education, non-profit management and advocacy, government, politics and law, and health careers. Graduates will also be prepared to enter graduate programs in liberal arts and social science disciplines, and professional degree programs (with the addition of some prerequisites).

Requirements for the Major

The major requires 30 credits of coursework in African American studies core and elective courses. Core and elective courses are often cross-listed with other departments, enabling students to examine the African American experience from a variety of disciplines.

All coursework must be completed with minimum grades of C.  A minimum of 15 credits of coursework in the major must UF credit.

Required Major Coursework

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Approved elective courses are often cross-listed with other departments and appear on the Program’s website, which is updated each semester. 

The same course may not be used to meet two different requirements.

Overseas Study

The African American Studies Program currently sponsors one study abroad course. This is a two-credit African Americans in Paris course that is offered during the Spring semester, and includes the study of the African American cultural, historical, and political experience in Paris, France. Students travel to Paris during Spring Break.