The Department of African & African-American Studies offers courses in African Studies to fulfill requirements for an undergraduate degree in African and African-American Studies and a certificate in African Studies. These courses also allow non-major undergraduates to fulfill College distribution requirements in language and other African area studies. For instance, students interested in the Swahili language have the possibility of taking various course distributions from the basic language level to culture and literature courses in Kiswahili up to a minimum of 33 credits. Students in the Certificate Program complete 33 credit hours that can include 15 credits of Basic language study and other courses offered by the Department and other academic units throughout the University. The Certificate is designed for students who want to develop a specialty in African studies that will complement their existing area of study. They will therefore be exposed to courses that deal with African culture, literature, history, geography, philosophy, sociology, politics and economic development of Africa. Although the courses will focus on the entire continent, students may upon the advice of the Director and availability of qualified faculty, develop a region or a field of interest. Others might want to have special concentration in history, economics, political science or literature.

A Bachelor’s degree in African & African-American Studies or a Certificate in African Studies presents a wide array of possibilities both educational and professional. It can not only benefit students preparing for graduate education in liberal arts disciplines, the B.A./Certificate can be used in conjunction with a traditional major to prepare for many professions. With more than fifty countries and a population of over 700 million, Africa represents excellent investment opportunities for American businesses. The end of Cold War and the current political changes in South Africa make the continent even more attractive to American companies. Many of these businesses offer overseas employment opportunities to students with some knowledge of Africa. The Certificate program helps to satisfy that need. In addition, students interested in Foreign Service positions or other government agencies such as the United States Information Service, the Peace Corps or the Agency for International Development might buttress their chances of employment and careers with a B.A./Certificate in African Studies. Jobs with international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations are other possibilities. With the growing emphasis on multi-cultural education in the United States, a certificate in African Studies is added advantage to students interested in a teaching career at both the elementary and secondary levels.

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Admission Requirements

The Certificate program is open to all students, including those in other University of Cincinnati colleges who meet College admission requirements as described in the College bulletin and University View book, Picture Yourself. Fill out completely the Application for the Certificate in African Studies (below) and submit it to the Director of the Program or the departmental Secretary. Do this early enough to avoid delay in obtaining your certificate. Application will not be accepted during the quarter that you plan to graduate.

On your initial application, make a list of courses you have already taken in the Department as well as those you plan on taking in other academic units. For courses taken in other colleges, keep a copy of the syllabi.

The application also asks you to identify your interests. If necessary, you may discuss all these issues with the Director of the program. You will be notified of your enrollment in the program as soon as you apply. Please keep in mind that decisions about your application are made once each quarter.

The Petition to graduate with the Certificate in African Studies

One quarter before you plan to graduate, you must file a petition to graduate with the Certificate by the listed due dates. This petition should include:

1. A listing of your 33 hours of course work.
2. A summary of your accomplishments in the Certificate.
3. A copy of your transcript or Degree progress Audit.
4. Syllabi of courses taken outside the Department of African American Studies.
5. For A&S students, a college application for the Certificate.


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