African American Studies Major (B.A.)
Program Overview
The African American Studies Department was established in 1969, and remains one of a few programs with departmental status in the state of Ohio. A centerpiece of that legacy is our shared vision and philosophy with the National Council for Black Studies, which is to promote academic excellence and social responsibility in the areas of teaching, research, and service. We are a department that is committed to producing persons, to use the language of Dr. Nathan Hare, who are capable of solving problems in American (and global) society.
The faculty believe in preparing and mentoring all students to successfully complete their academic goals and objectives. Our mission is to contribute to an inclusive intellectual environment at Ohio University by developing and delivering an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary curriculum that advances the University's general education goals.
The African American Studies Department also offers an Honors program in African American Studies. See below for more information.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Many African American Studies majors have gone on to graduate school and carved for themselves influential careers in a variety of fields, including law, the performing arts, international affairs, religion, politics, education, and business. African American studies graduates are well-prepared to enter careers in social service, education, legal services and graduate school in multiple disciplines.
A degree in African American Studies, like all liberal arts degrees, provides students with the foundation to understand the world, how it functions, their responsibilities and opportunities in the world, and how to have an impact on the world, globally and locally. Specifically, however, African American Studies majors learn from many disciplines to explore the histories, societies, and cultures of African and African-descended people in the United States and abroad.
Examples of specific positions students can pursue with a degree in African American Studies include, but are not limited to, the following: education, management and industry, law, communications and media, government/politics, community relations and outreach, domestic and international advocacy, program administration, human resources, religious services, social worker, graduate studies, public policy specialist; etc.
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