Advance Interdisciplinary Scholarship on Africa and the African Diaspora
Graduate students in the Department of Africana Studies explore Africa, the Black experience in the United States, and the broader African diaspora through collaborative research, teaching, and scholarship that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Through dual-title doctoral programs, graduate minors, and a graduate certificate, students develop interdisciplinary expertise while preparing for careers in higher education, research, public policy, and other professional fields.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Africana Studies offers eleven dual-title doctoral programs, graduate minors, and a graduate certificate that complement disciplinary study with interdisciplinary perspectives on Africa and the African diaspora.
Dual-Title Ph.D. Program | Graduate Minor
Study the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of people of African descent around the world while combining the strengths of your home discipline with interdisciplinary scholarship in Africana Studies.
Dual-Title Ph.D. Program | Graduate Minor
Study the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of people of African descent around the world while combining the strengths of your home discipline with interdisciplinary scholarship in Africana Studies.
Graduate Certificate
Examine the environmental, economic, political, and social dimensions of sustainable development in Africa through interdisciplinary graduate coursework.
Funding
Graduate students and faculty have access to funding opportunities that support research, conference travel, and scholarly activities. Learn more about scholarships, research funding, and application opportunities available through the Department of Africana Studies.
Faculty and Research
Graduate students work alongside faculty whose research spans Africa, Black and African American studies, the African diaspora, history, literature, politics, language, culture, education, geography, and more. Through the Africana Research Center and collaborations across Penn State, students become part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community addressing complex global questions.
Graduate Student Community
Pan-African Professional Alliance
The Pan-African Professional Alliance (Pan-APA) is a graduate student organization that fosters academic collaboration, professional development, and community among students interested in the African diaspora. Through networking events, an annual conference, and cultural programming, members build connections across disciplines while celebrating the diversity of African cultures.
Black Graduate Student Association
The Penn State Chapter of the Black Graduate Student Association addresses the needs and concerns of black graduate and professional students and encourages black undergraduates to pursue advanced degrees.
Black Law Students Association
Graduate students interested in law can connect with the Black Law Students Association at Penn State Dickinson Law. BLSA supports the academic, professional, and personal success of Black law students while promoting leadership, mentorship, and service within the legal profession.
Graduate Handbook
The Graduate Handbook provides information about program requirements, academic milestones, policies, and procedures to support students throughout their graduate studies.
Where Our Graduates Go
Our graduates pursue careers in higher education, research, public policy, nonprofit leadership, and other professions where interdisciplinary perspectives on Africa and the African diaspora make a meaningful impact.