African American Studies, M.A.

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Objective

The Master of Arts Degree in African American Studies is designed for students who plan to have careers in teaching secondary schools or community colleges; for students who plan careers in journalism, museum or information services, non-governmental organizations, business and industry, and/or for students who are contemplating further scholarly activities.

Admission

For unconditional admission, applicants must have: (1) a minimum of 18 semester hours of undergraduate history or fields related to African American Studies; (2) earned an undergraduate scholastic average overall of 3.0 and not less than 3.0 average in History or related fields.

For conditional admission, applicants must have: (1) a minimum of 18 semester hours of undergraduate history or fields related to African American Studies; (2) earned an undergraduate scholastic average overall of 2.5 and not less than 2.5 average in History or related fields; (3) maintain a 3.0 average for the first 12 graduate credit hours.

General Requirements

Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours, pass a written comprehensive examination, and submit an acceptably written thesis.

Other Requirements

HIST 598 - Historiography and Historical Methods 3 Credits
HIST 599 - Historical Writing 3 Credits
Four courses in African American, African, or African Diaspora or related topics offered at MSU 12 credits. *
History electives 6 credits. *
A Supervised Research or Seminar Course in History 3 credits.
HIST 799 - Thesis Seminar 3 Credits

Total Degree: 30 Credit Hours

*History electives and electives from other departments must be approved by your advisor.

Suggested Courses from Other Departments:

ENGL 515 - African American Poetic Forms 3 Credits
ENGL 571 - Introduction to Multicultural Literature 3 Credits
ENGL 572 - The Multicultural Novel 3 Credits
ENGL 583 - Colloquium Literature of the African Diaspora 3 Credits
ENGL 593 - Multicultural Literature for Adolescents 3 Credits
ENGL 596 - African American Literature 3 Credits
ENGL 597 - Minority Presence in American Literature 3 Credits
ENGL 725 - Twentieth Century African-American Women Writers
ENGL 729 - Major African American Novelists 3 Credits
ENGL 730 - Major African American Poets 3 Credits
ENGL 745 - African Literature 3 Credits
GEOG 505 - Cultural Geography 3 Credits
GEOG 561 - Geography of Africa 3 Credits
INST 510 - Sub-Saharan Africa 3 Credits
INST 512 - The Caribbean-Latin America 3 Credits
SOCI 530 - Black Americans in Sociological Thought 3 Credits
SOCI 531 - Sociology of Oppression 3 Credits
SOCI 543 - Race, Education, and Social Inequality 3 Credits
SOCI 553 - The Black Family in America 3 Credits
SOCI 564 - Race and Ethnic Relations 3 Credits
MUSC 524 - The History of Black Music 3 Credits