AFNWST:MA - Master of Arts in African and African Diaspora Studies

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Arts (MA) in African and African Diaspora Studies

Each applicant to the African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Program (AADS) must complete an online graduate application form and arrange to send transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate work and official reports of the TOEFL (if applicable) to the FIU's Office of Graduate Admissions. Each applicant should also send a separate statement of purpose to the director of the AADS Graduate Programs, along with copies of the above material, a resume, and writing sample. The statement of purpose should express the applicant's academic and professional objectives as well as specific interest in African & African Diaspora Studies. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include examples of academic or other relevant professional work that may support their application. Applicants must request three letters of recommendation from professors able to comment on their academic ability. The letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Director of the African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Programs.

The application file must be complete before the African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Committee will consider the applicant for admission. For the admissions deadline please go to https://africana.fiu.edu/academics/admission-requirements-and-procedures/index.html. To be admitted into the MA in AADS program, a student must meet the university's graduate admission requirements and the following minimum standards:

(1) Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

(2) Applicants must have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must submit grade transcripts for consideration. The student must also have a GPA of 3.5 on any previous graduate work.

(3) Applicants should request that three letters of recommendation from individuals able to judge their academic potential be sent directly to the Director of the AADS Graduate Programs. For the exact street address, please consult our website at http://africana.fiu.edu.

(4) Applicants are encouraged to submit examples of written work and other supporting materials.

(5) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Financial Aid

Each academic year a limited number of graduate students are hired as graduate assistants. Graduate assistantships are allocated on a competitive basis and typically pay a substantial portion of tuition expenses and provide a stipend. To be considered for an assistantship, the applicant must make such a request in writing to the Director of AADS Graduate Programs. The Director of the AADS Graduate Programs will make the awarding of teaching assistantships in consultation with the AADS Director. Students receiving an assistantship are required to perform approximately (but not more than) 20 hours of teaching and research related duties per week and are required to participate in a one-hour seminar related to teaching at the beginning of their first semester.

General Information

The MA in African & African Diaspora Studies is cohort-based and only admits students to begin their studies in the fall semester. The MA in AADS curriculum unfolds over three terms: fall, spring, and summer C. The full curriculum comprises 30 credits. To graduate on time, students are expected to enroll in courses for 10 credits every term. During the course sessions (three times, 1 credit each), enrolled students work closely with the AADS faculty mentor and/or Graduate Program Director to prepare their exit requirement (Portfolio). Students will be assigned such as faculty mentor by the AADS Graduate Program Director (GPD) upon admission. Students may request to work with a specific AADS faculty member. Such selection must be requested by the third week of the fall semester. Before placing such request to the AADS GPD, a student must approach and get the approval of the chosen AADS faculty member. That AADS faculty member will serve as the chairperson of the student’s research paper/proposal or internship report committee.

Research Paper/Proposal Option

To fulfill this requirement, the student must compile a portfolio of their most representative work, along with a reflection on each paper of how each paper relates to AADS methods and theories. The portfolio should reflect their academic work and interests. Students will work with the Graduate Program Director and/or faculty mentor to develop their portfolio over the fall and spring semesters. Students will complete the portfolio and are required to give an oral presentation (oral defense) of their portfolio to AADS faculty as a requirement for successful completion of course.

The FIU faculty eligible to evaluate the oral presentation are the faculty members who have achieved graduate faculty standing as established by the University Graduate School and are core or affiliated faculty in AADS. Other FIU faculty not identified in that list may be considered to serve on a committee (but not as chairperson of that committee) based on research, identified interest, and publications after approval from the Director of AADS Graduate Programs.

Language Requirement

Students will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their research paper/proposal and professional interests. Credit hours earned in meeting this language requirement will not count toward the 30 credit hours required for the degree.

Admissions Requirements for the 4+1 BA in Women's and Gender Studies to MA in African and African Diaspora Studies Accelerated Degree Pathway

To be considered for admission to the Accelerated (4+1) BA in WGS/MA in AADS Degree Pathway, students must have completed 75 credits toward the Bachelor’s degree in WGS.

Students may apply as early as the end of their sophomore year. Students need only apply once to the Accelerated (4+1) BA/MA Degree Pathway, but the application must be submitted to Graduate Admissions before the student starts the last 30 credits of the bachelor’s degree program. Advisors can assist with this process.

Admissions Requirements

(1) Current enrollment in the Bachelor’s degree program in Women’s and Gender Studies.

(2) Current GPA of 3.2 or higher

(3) Students meet all other admissions criteria for the graduate degree program in AADS.

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IFLTS) A total score of 80 on the IBT TOEFL or 6.3 on the IETS is required.

Admissions Requirements for the MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies Joint Degree Pathway

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission.

(1) Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for higher education (or equivalent);

(2) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last two years of undergraduate work and/or a GPA of 3.5 on any previous graduate work;

(3) Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores;

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a degree from an English-speaking academic institution are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper-based version) or a 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Admissions Procedures

To be accepted into this program, students must submit an application to the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies with a sub-plan for a MA in African & African Diaspora Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application. To be accepted into this program, students must submit an application by January 1 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

The following documents must be submitted and will be reviewed by the Admissions Committees from both units. The following must be submitted as part of the online application:

(1) Online application and application fee;

(2) Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework;

(3) Official GRE scores;

(4) Official TOEFL scores, if applicable;

(5) Statement of purpose explaining his/her interest for enrolling in both the AADS MA program and in the PhD program in GSS. The statement of purpose must clearly address the applicant's academic and professional objectives for enrolling in both fields of inquiry. The statement of purpose must also indicate the intended major (anthropology, geography, or sociology) the applicant plans to select while engaged in the PhD in GSS;

(6) Three letters of recommendation from university professors who are able to comment on the various aspects of the student's academic ability;

(7) A curriculum vitae; and

(8) Writing samples and other relevant professional work that may support their applications.

Admissions Requirements for the MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in History Joint Degree Pathway

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission.

(1) Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for higher education (or equivalent);

(2) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last two years of undergraduate work and/or a GPA of 3.25 on any previous graduate work;

(3) Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores;

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English and have not obtained a degree from an English-speaking academic institution are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 90 on the IBT TOEFL (equivalent to 575 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required.

Admissions Procedures

To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application to the PhD in History with a sub plan for a MA in African & African Diaspora Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application. Applicants should prepare all application materials in time for the Department of History and the Office of Graduate Admissions to receive them no later than December 1 for the following year’s fall admissions. Applicants will be notified of the Department’s recommendation regarding their application no later than March 15.

The following documents must be submitted as part of the application. They will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee from both units.

(1) Official transcripts of all prior college-level work (undergraduate Bachelor’s degree and any graduate transcripts);

(2) Official GRE scores or equivalent;

(3) Official TOEFL scores, if applicable;

(4) A curriculum vita;

(5) A detailed statement of research interests, reasons for seeking the MA/ PhD, future career goals, a summary of scholarly and extra-curricular activities, and the names of History Department faculty members who would be appropriate dissertation advisors (Note: Consult the department website for information about faculty members)

(6) A writing sample (such as a seminar paper) which demonstrates the ability to conduct research and write effectively; and

(7) Three letters of reference from academic sources or others able to judge academic abilities and potential.

In addition, an interview (in person or phone) with members of the MA in AADS Program and/or appropriate faculty in the Department of History is highly recommended.

Admissions Requirements for the MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in International Relations Joint Degree Pathway

To be accepted into this pathway, students must simultaneously submit applications for the M.A. in African & African Diaspora Studies and the Ph.D. in International Relations by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements:

(1) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in undergraduate work.

(2) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in any prior graduate work.

(3) Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 90 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 575 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required.

Applicants must follow the admission procedures for both programs (see the appropriate sections in this graduate catalog). Only applications to begin studies in the fall semester will be considered.  This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application, and students must indicate their intention to apply for this combined degree pathway.

Each applicant must complete an online graduate application form and arrange to send transcripts of all prior college (undergraduate and graduate) work and official reports of the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) and TOEFL (if applicable) to FIU's Office of Graduate Admissions.

Each applicant should also submit a separate statement of purpose, along with copies of the above material. The letter of application should include a statement expressing the applicant's academic and professional objectives. Applicants must include writing samples and other relevant professional work that may support their applications. Applicants must request three letters of recommendation from university professors who are able to comment on the various aspects of the student's academic ability. The letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Director of the African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Programs. AADS will photocopy the recommendation letters once they are all in and send them to the International Relations Graduate Program Director.

The application file must be complete before the African & African Diaspora Studies/International Relations Graduate Program Committees will consider the applicant for admission. We encourage applicants to send their application material sooner.

Admission Requirements for the MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in Political Science Joint Degree Pathway

To be accepted into this pathway, students must simultaneously submit applications for the M.A. in African & African Diaspora Studies and the Ph.D. in Political Science by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements:

(1) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in undergraduate work.

(2) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in any prior graduate work.

(3) Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores from with the last five years.

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 90 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 575 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required.

Applicants must follow the admission procedures for both programs (see the appropriate sections in this graduate catalog). Only applications to begin studies in the fall semester will be considered.  This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application, and students must indicate their intention to apply for this combined degree pathway.

Each applicant must complete an online graduate application form and arrange to send transcripts of all prior college (undergraduate and graduate) work and official reports of the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) and TOEFL (if applicable) to FIU's Office of Graduate Admissions.

Each applicant should also submit a separate statement of purpose, along with copies of the above material. The letter of application should include a statement expressing the applicant's academic and professional objectives. Applicants must include writing samples and other relevant professional work that may support their applications. Applicants must request three letters of recommendation from university professors who are able to comment on the various aspects of the student's academic ability. The letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Director of the African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Programs. AADS will photocopy the recommendation letters once they are all in and send them to the International Relations Graduate Program Director.

The application file must be complete before the African & African Diaspora Studies/International Relations Graduate Program Committees will consider the applicant for admission. We encourage applicants to send their application material sooner.

Other Curricular Offering: MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies Joint Degree Pathway

The combined African & African Diaspora Studies MA/Global & Sociocultural Studies PhD pathway allows qualified graduate students to develop an expertise in African & African Diaspora Studies by earning an MA in AADS while progressing toward a PhD in one of the three major areas in the Global and Sociocultural Studies Department geography, sociology, or anthropology.

Degree Requirements for MA in African & African Diaspora Studies

This 30-credit, one year, three-semester program occurring over the Fall, Spring, and Summer includes 9 credits of core AADS courses, which includes 3 credits for the directed research paper exit option, 9 credits of core Global and Sociocultural Studies courses, and 12 credits of electives. There is also a Foreign Language Requirement.

MA in AADS Core: 9 credits

--course African & African Diaspora Studies Theory: 3 credits
--course Research Methods in African and African Diaspora Studies: 3 credits
--course African & African Diaspora Studies Graduate Colloquium (3 credits: 1 credit over three semesters) 

Combined MA in AADS/PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies Core

--course Research Methods and Design: 3 credits

MA in AADS Elective: 15 credits

Nine credits of elective courses with an AADS focus must be from the Global and Sociocultural Studies Department. Six credits may be from outside of the Department but within the Green School and/or the College of Arts & Sciences. Students wishing to take courses outside of the Green School and the College of Arts & Sciences must seek prior approval. Note: Students are advised to take at least 9 of these elective credits in their chosen major discipline for GSS (anthropology, geography, or sociology).

MA in AADS Research Proposal option

To graduate from the MA in AADS, students enrolled in this combined MA/PhD pathway must elect to complete either a research proposal or research paper for their exit option. Those who elect to write a research proposal must take AFA 6911 Research Paper/Proposal Writing in African and African Diaspora Studies.

MA in AADS Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their thesis or research paper/proposal and professional interests.

Application for Graduation from MA in AADS

Students should apply for graduation for the MA in AADS during the summer term if they are on track for completing all requirements for the degree — including the exit option. Ordinarily, the MA will be conferred before the student advances to candidacy for the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies. 

Matriculation to PhD in GSS

All students must undergo a successful M.A. review upon completion of the AADS Masters Program requirements in order to continue toward the Ph.D. in GSS. The GSS Graduate Committee, along with an appointee from AADS, conducts these reviews. The purpose of the M.A. review is to determine the ability of the student to do Ph.D. level work with the department’s faculty. Among the information considered during the review are students’ performances and grades in courses, and faculty recommendations.

Degree Requirements for PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies

The doctorate in Global and Sociocultural Studies requires a minimum of 75 credits beyond the baccalaureate including a dissertation based on original research. 30 credits of the MA in AADS will count toward the 75-credit minimum. Thus, a minimum of 45 credits must be earned beyond the MA.

Major Courses: 33 credits

All doctoral students will choose a major in Anthropology, Geography, or Sociology. The following distribution of coursework is required.

(a) Major theory: 3 credits

(b) Major methods: 3 credits

(c) Major course electives: 6 credits minimum

(d) Exam and dissertation credits and GSS and non-GSS Department electives

--Doctoral Exam Preparation: 6 credits maximum

--Doctoral Dissertation: 15 credits minimum

General Electives: 12 credits

--GSS and non-GSS Department electives

PhD General Examination

After successfully completing the common core requirements, the major's course requirements, and electives, a student prepares for the Ph.D. General Exam by enrolling in a maximum of six credits of exam preparation for their major. In preparation for the exam, a student forms a dissertation committee according to the regulations published on the University Graduate School web page (http://gradschool.fiu.edu). The Ph.D. General Exam addresses the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and is conducted according to the University Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual and the Department’s Ph.D. General Exam guidelines.

The Dissertation Proposal and Defense/Candidacy Exam

After passing the Ph.D. General Exam, a student works under the guidance of the dissertation committee to prepare a dissertation proposal and defend it orally before the committee. The chair of the dissertation committee must hold Dissertation Advisor Status from the University Graduate School. The proposal defense serves as the doctoral candidacy exam for the Ph.D. program in Global and Sociocultural Studies. Upon passing the proposal defense, a student is admitted to candidacy status. 

The Dissertation and Dissertation Defense 

After successfully defending a dissertation proposal, a student conducts the proposed research and completes a dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Only after successfully defending the dissertation proposal may a student register for dissertation hours (ANG 7980, GEO 7980, or SYA 7980). The Ph.D. program requires a student to be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours of Doctoral Dissertation each semester from the time of advancement to candidacy until completion of the dissertation, including summers. Upon completion of the dissertation manuscript and authorization by the committee, a student defends the dissertation before the committee and the University community. The University Graduate School’s regulations governing the dissertation are described at http://gradschool.fiu.edu.

Other Curricular Offering: MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in History Joint Degree Pathway

The Combined African & African Diaspora Studies MA / Ph.D. in History pathway allows qualified graduate students to complete the MA in African & African Diaspora Studies (MA in AADS) en route to the Ph.D. in History. This pathway will train doctoral students within the discipline of Atlantic History while giving them area studies expertise in African & African Diaspora Studies In combination, these two programs provide a beneficial synthesis for interdisciplinary approaches to both the Atlantic world and the African diasporic experience.

MA in African & African Diaspora Studies (MA in AADS) Requirements

This 30-credit, one year, three-semester program occurring over the Fall, Spring, and Summer includes 9 credits of core AADS courses, which includes 3 credits for the directed research paper exit option, 9 credits core History courses, and 12 credits of electives. There is also a Foreign Language Requirement.

MA in AADS Core Courses: 9 credits

--course African and African Diaspora Studies Theory: 3 credits                 
--course Research Methods in African and African Diaspora Studies: 3 credits
--course AADS graduate colloquium: 3 credits (1 credit over three semesters)

Combined MA in AADS/PhD in History Core Courses: 9 credits

--course Historical Methods: credits
--6 credits in any of the following courses, or any other graduate History courses with an AADS focus:

course Advanced Seminar in African and African Diaspora Studies
course Readings in Asian History
course Topics in African History
course Research in African History
course Research Seminar in African History I
course Research Seminar in African History II
course The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Making of African Diaspora, 1441-1807
course The African Diaspora Since the End of the Slave Trade

MA in AADS Electives: 12 credits
--12 credits of elective courses with an AADS focus, at least 6 credits of which are from within the Department of History (making a total of 15 History credits) such as those on the following list:

course Advanced Seminar in African and African Diaspora Studies
course Readings in African History
course Topics in African History
course Research in African History
course Research Seminar in African History I
course Research Seminar in African History II
course The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Making of African Diaspora, 1441-1807
course The African Diaspora Since the End of the Slave Trade

Students wishing to take courses outside of the Green School and/or the College of Arts & Sciences must seek prior approval from the Graduate Program Directors of the MA and PhD programs.

MA in AADS Research Proposal Option

To graduate from the MA in AADS, students enrolled in this combined MA/PhD program must elect the research proposal option and take the proposal writing course course Research Paper/Proposal Writing in African and African Diaspora Studies.

MA in AADS Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their thesis or research paper/proposal and professional interests.

Application for Graduation from MA in AADS

Students should apply for graduation for the MA in AADS during the summer term if they are on track for completing all requirements for the degree – including the exit option. Ordinarily, the MA will be conferred before the student advances to candidacy for the PhD in History. 

PhD in History Requirements

Students will begin study toward the Ph.D. in History immediately following their satisfactory completion of MA in AADS degree requirements. Students are expected to meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. in History, which requires a total of 75 credits.

Courses required in addition to the degree requirements for the MA in African & African Diaspora Studies (minimum 45 credits):

--course Advanced Readings in Atlantic Civilization: 3 credits
--course Research in Atlantic Civilization: 3 credits
--6 credits outside of AADS and Atlantic Civilization (also excluding Methods), 3 credits of which must be in a comparative course (HIS or WOH prefix)
--Electives: 18 credits
--course Dissertation: 15 credits

Language Requirements 

All students must acquire reading competence in two languages other than English. The language requirement may be fulfilled in one of two ways: 1) achieving a High Pass on the department examination in one language, and at least a Pass on the second; or 2) achieving a Pass or High Pass in departmental examination in one language, and competency in social science quantitative skills, demonstrated by receiving a grade of “B” or “B+”, for Pass, and “A” or “A-“, for High pass, in an appropriate course approved for this purpose by the Graduate Program Director. At least one High Pass must be received. Language requirements vary, according to the concentration fields. In cases where the dissertation will be in the history of US or English-speaking countries, one language plus the quantitative skill is sufficient. In Latin American history, either Spanish or Portuguese, and a second language appropriate to the student’s field are required. Language exams will be graded on a High Pass, Pass, and Fail basis; a High pass is required in the student’s primary language. Students should check with the Department’s Graduate Program Director to determine which languages are appropriate for their program of studies.

Comprehensive Examinations and the Dissertation

Following completion of all course work, satisfaction of language requirements, and the constitution of a dissertation committee, students will be required to pass a written and an oral comprehensive examination. After the completion of their comprehensive examinations and the approval of a dissertation proposal by their dissertation committee, students will write a doctoral dissertation. The time needed for the research and writing of dissertations in History is variable, although doctoral candidates normally spend one year engaged in continuous field research and a second year in full-time writing.

Restrictions

(1) The grade of “B” or better is required for graduate credit.

(2) At the end of the second semester of residence, or upon completion of the first 18 credit-hours of work, the Graduate Committee will examine and evaluate the student’s progress and prospects. Professors will provide detailed written evaluations of the work of all first-year Ph.D. students they have taught. Students whose progress is deemed insufficient will be advised to withdraw from the program.

(3) No more than 6 semester-hours of Topics (5935) courses toward meeting the degree requirements, without permission of the Graduate Program Director.

(4) No more than 6 semester-hours of course Independent Study toward meeting the degree requirements, without permission of the Graduate Program Director.

Other Curricular Offering: MA in African and African Diaspora Studies and PhD in International Relations Joint Degree Pathway

The combined African & African Diaspora Studies M.A./International Relations Ph.D. pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees at the same time.

Required Credits

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs. The 30 credits for the M.A. in AADS earned by students will count toward the 75 credits required for the Ph.D. in INR.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their thesis or research paper/proposal and professional interests. The Director of AADS Graduate Programs will ask a university faculty member fluent in the language of interest to the student, to evaluate the student's fluency by asking her/him to summarize or synthesize the content of a text of between 10 to 20 pages, published in that language, in no more than one page. That exercise will have to take place at the university during a limited period of time. The text will be given to the student at the beginning of the exercise. The chosen text will have some connection to the student's research interest. Once a student has demonstrated proficiency for the M.A. in African & African Diaspora Studies, that proficiency will be recognized by the International Relations Ph.D. program. Therefore, proficiency in a foreign language will not be part of the candidacy exam. Credit hours earned in meeting the language requirement will not count towards the 30 credit hours required for the M.A. degree.

Students should apply for graduation with the M.A. in African & African Diaspora Studies as soon as they have completed all requirements for the degree – including the exit requirements, as specified for the M.A. in African & African Diaspora Studies. Ordinarily, students will complete these requirements and earn their M.A. before advancing to candidacy for the Ph.D. in International Relations. The research paper/proposal option is the only option available for students enrolled in this combined M.A./Ph.D. pathway.

Master of Arts in African & African Diaspora Studies Requirements

This 30-credit, one year, three semester program occurring over the Fall, Spring, and Summer includes 9 credits of core AADS courses, which includes 3 credits for the directed research paper exit option, 6 credits of core International Relations courses, and 15 credits of electives. There is also a Foreign Language Requirement.

MA in AADS Core Courses: 9 credits

--course African and African Diaspora Studies Theory: 3 credits                 
--course Research Methods in African and African Diaspora Studies: 3 credits
--course AADS graduate colloquium: 3 credites; 1 semester of graduate colloquium

Combined MA in AADS/PhD in International Relations Core Courses: 6 credits

--course Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations: 3 credits
--course Political Economy of International Relations: 3 credits

MA in AADS in electives: 15 credits

15 credits of elective courses with an AADS focus may be from outside the International Relations Department and within the Green School and/or the College of Arts & Sciences. Students wishing to take courses outside of the Green School must seek prior approval.

MA in AADS Research Proposal or Paper Option

To graduate from the MA in AADS, students enrolled in this combined MA/PhD pathway must elect to complete either a research proposal or research paper for their exit option. Those who elect to write a research proposal must take course Research Paper/Proposal Writing in African and African Diaspora Studies.  

Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations: 75 credits

The following courses in addition to all 30 M.A. credits:

--course Research Design in International Relations: 3 credits
--course Space, Place, and Identity: 3 credits
--course Contemporary International Relations Theory: 3 credits

Major and Minor Fields: 12 credits

--Major field of study: 9 credits
--Minor field of study: 3 credits 

Electives: 6 credits

Additional elective course work according to the specific information about elective courses indicated in the program section of the catalog.

Comprehensive Examinations

Once students have achieved 60 credits of course work, they must sit for written examinations on the core sequence of their fields indicated in the program section of the catalog.

Dissertation: 15 credits

See the program section of the catalog for details.

There are no majors associated with this program.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates must obtain a grade of “B” or higher in all courses and achieve a cumulative point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) and present a satisfactory research paper, proposal, or report with scholarly citation styles admitted in the discipline. The selection of the citation style must be made with the research paper/proposal/report advisor.