African Studies

The Master of Arts Program in African Studies is a two-year interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences designed to provide a broad understanding of African affairs. The program is designed for students wishing to go on to the doctorate as well as for those students seeking a terminal M.A. degree before entering the business world, the media, government service or a professional school.

The Master's program generally welcomes 4-6 students each year. Since students differ in prior academic preparation and experience, each student plans an integrated program with the Director of Graduate Studies that conforms to her or his needs and interests.

African Studies considers the arts, history, cultures, languages, literatures, politics, religions, and societies of Africa as well as issues concerning development, health, and the environment. The program offers considerable flexibility and choice. Enrollment in the M.A. program in African Studies provides students with the opportunity to register for the many African studies courses offered in the various departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the professional schools. In addition, the Program in African Studies offers two interdisciplinary seminars to create dialogue and to integrate approaches across disciplines.

Special Requirements for the M.A. Degree: A student may choose one of the following areas of concentration: history; anthropology; political science; economics; sociology; arts and literatures; languages and linguistics; religion; environmental and development studies.

The program requires sixteen courses:

• two compulsory introductory interdisciplinary seminars, Research Methods in African Studies (AFST 501) and Topics in African Studies (AFST 764),
• four courses of instruction in an African language,
• four courses in one of the above areas of concentration, four other approved courses offered in the Graduate School or professional schools,
•  two terms of Directed Reading and Research (AFST 900 a or b) during which students will complete the required thesis.

A student who is able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in an African language may have the language requirement waived and substitute four other approved courses. The choice of courses must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, David Simon. Students should consult with him as soon as possible in the first term.

The application fee for all degree applicants is US $100. International non-degree applicants must also include a US $25 document processing fee.

Payment of all application fees

• Credit card (Visa or MasterCard) are the only forms of payment.
• All payments are made from within the online application prior to submission of the application.
• Debit cards, credit card debit authorizations are not accepted.
• Wire transfers (such as SWIFT or Fedwire) are not accepted.

Fee Waiver Program

Eligibility - in order to request a fee waiver you must

• Be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident (Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply for a fee waiver).
• Be a participant in certain fellowship programs or recipient of certain fellowship funds.
• Have attended a specified recruitment event of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or one of the programs sponsoring such an event and have a pre-coded Fee Waiver Request form.
• Be applying as an applicant with demonstrated financial hardship.

The Master's Thesis: The Master's thesis is based upon research on a topic approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and advised by a faculty member with expertise or specialized competence in the chosen topic.

Stipend amounts 3000 $.