African Studies (M.A.)

African Studies (M.A.) | Graduate

Drawing from discourses across multiple disciplines, our program deepens scholarly inquiry about Africa and African-descended people on the African continent, in the U.S., and across the Diaspora, examining issues across historical, sociocultural, political, institutional, transnational, and economic contexts. We prepare students for diverse public and private sector careers.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in African Studies at Howard's Graduate School promotes interdisciplinary scholarship on critical issues pertaining to African-descended people on the African continent, in the United States, and across the Diaspora. The M.A. program in African Studies prepares students for private, public, or non-profit careers that demand specialized knowledge of the African diaspora. The program also prepares students for further graduate study at the doctoral level across diverse fields of study, including public policy and advocacy, public administration, cultural studies, communications, international development, international business, education, history, religious studies, transatlantic studies, and sociology. The program emphasizes critical theoretical frameworks and mixed methodological approaches that deepen scholarly inquiry about Africa and African-descended people across historical, sociocultural, political, institutional, transnational, and economic contexts. As a student in the M.A. program in African Studies, you may choose from three fields of specialization: Development and public policy; Africa in world affairs; and language, literature, and the arts. You'll benefit from Howard's premier location in Washington, D.C., where you can access a large network of top-ranked and nationally recognized consulting firms, research institutions, foundations, and multilateral nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations shaping the future of Africa. Our graduate faculty are engaged in cross-cutting research on Africa across disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  36 credit hours 
      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: M.A.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Nov. 15, 2024 (final deadline)

Fall 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Dec. 1, 2024 (early deadline)
      ❱  Feb. 15, 2025 (priority deadline)
      ❱  Apr. 15, 2025 (final deadline)

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: M.A.

Application for Admission

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• No

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: N/A
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager
• Coworker
• Clergy
• Other

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Friend
• Family Member

Personal Statement Guidance 

Your Statement of purpose/ statement of academic interest should provide an overview of your research interests in African Studies and should include information on any area/s of special interest within African Studies. The statement should also outline your previous coursework or experience in African Studies and career plans in the field of African Studies.