In a bachelor of arts in African American studies program, students study the history, culture, and literature of Africans and African Americans. As a multidisciplinary program, students focus on forming a diverse understanding of issues in the African American community, as well as the cultural and historical factors, movements, and ideas that shaped the culture. Students study the history of Americans whose descendants were African, and learn about important leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama.

Graduates from African American studies programs are prepared to move into careers as educators, teaching students about African Americans; as social workers, advocating for children and families in the African American community; or as activists, promoting and advocating for equal rights and the eradication of racism. Graduates may teach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels by choosing a program that leads to state licensure, or they can pursue graduate degrees to teach in college.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in African American Studies?

Individuals with bachelor of arts degrees in African American studies have a bright future because their degrees qualify them for a variety of jobs in multiple industries. Many find work as educators and equal opportunity employment roles in businesses across the U.S., and there is always demand for qualified educators to teach new students about the history and culture of the African American community. With additional degrees, graduates can work as lawyers, researchers, counselors, or professors.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in African American Studies will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.