The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that provides students with knowledge of human cultures and intellectual and practical skills to engage complexity, diversity and change. The degree program fosters students’ personal and social responsibility and, through applied learning experiences, empowers students to negotiate and to solve the complex problems of the 21st century. African American studies majors often pursue graduate and professional degree programs in business, education, history, international relations, law, political science, psychology, public health and social work. Career opportunities with a B.A. only in African American Studies include employment in community health agencies, public and private schools and nonprofit organizations.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
Program core outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, perspectives and theories in Africana studies
- Articulate the manner in which institutional structures and systemic practices shape and affect the experiences of Black people in the United States and abroad
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic methodological approaches (both quantitative and qualitative) in Africana studies and the general role of methodology in building knowledge about the Black experience
- Critically engage and propose integrity-based solutions to problems that impact persons of African descent and their communities
Education concentration-specific outcome
- Apply the disciplinary knowledge of Africana studies to pedagogical theory and teaching approaches
Special requirements
Majors in African American studies must meet the general education requirements of the College of Humanities and Sciences. The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies requires the completion of 120 credits with at least 30 credits in African American Studies courses.
Students in the education concentration must complete 24 core credits along with the following concentration requirements: AFAM 338, AFAM 361 and EDUS 301; two history courses at the 100 level; one political science course at the 300 level with a focus on the United States; one political science course at the 300 level with an international focus; and one geography course. In addition, students must complete the following ancillary requirements: AFAM 111, HIST 201, HUMS 202, POLI 103 and ECON 203.
Students who are interested in pursuing a Master of Teaching degree should be mindful of the application processes required to enter the program at VCU. There are two such processes: 1) the Extended Teacher Preparation Program, to which undergraduate VCU students apply in their junior or senior year and 2) graduate school, to which students apply during the final semester of their undergraduate course work.
For entry to the extended program, students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8; to receive a passing score on the VCLA (total score = 470: reading, 235; writing 235); to have completed EDUS 301; and to submit a completed application with all the required supporting documents. Applications are due on Oct. 15 and April 1 each year.
For entry to graduate school, students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0; to receive a passing score on the GRE; and to submit a completed application with all the required supporting documents.
Students should consult with the African American studies adviser to ensure that they meet these requirements and deadlines.
Degree requirements for African American Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in education
Course | Title | Hours |
| 30 |
| |
AFAM 201 | Theories and Foundations of Africana Studies | 3 |
AFAM 211 | Africana Social and Political Thought | 3 |
AFAM 310 | Black Health Matters: Social Determinants of Health in the African American Community | 3 |
AFAM 311 | African Diaspora Experiences | 3 |
AFAM 330 | Black Sights and Sites: Visual Media and Race | 3 |
AFAM 399 | Interdisciplinary Research Methods 1 | 3 |
AFAM 493 | Internship in Africana Studies | 3 |
AFAM 499 | Capstone Seminar in Africana Studies | 3 |
| |
AFAM 338 | Ferguson, USA: The Criminalization of Race in Historical Perspective | 3 |
AFAM/HIST 361 | Americans from Africa | 3 |
EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| 6 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
AFAM 111 Play course video for Introduction to Africana Studies | Introduction to Africana Studies (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
POLI 103 | U.S. Government and Politics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for diversities in the human experience) 2 | 3 |
ECON 203 | Introduction to Economics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
HIST 201 | The Art of Historical Detection: ____ (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and/or AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
4 | 1-3 |
| 0-6 |
| 32-40 |
Total Hours | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Concentration electives
History (select two from list)
Political science: United States (select one from list)
Political science: International (select one from list)
Geography (select one from list)