Discover Where Your Interests Can Take You
Whether you’re interested in history, language, culture, public policy, global engagement, or community leadership, Africana Studies offers pathways to explore your interests and create meaningful impact.
Why Africana Studies?
The Department of Africana Studies prepares students to pursue careers and opportunities across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Whether you choose to major in African American Studies or African Studies, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to advance justice, build global connections, transform organizations, and support communities while preparing to make meaningful contributions in an interconnected world.
Students strengthen skills in:
- Intercultural communication
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Organizational insight
- Research and analysis
- Geographic and global perspectives
- Historical and social analysis
These skills are valued by employers, graduate programs, and professional schools across a wide range of industries.
Explore By Interest
Interested in Advancing Justice?
Explore the histories, movements, and ideas that have shaped Black freedom struggles in the United States and around the world. Through African American Studies and African Studies, you’ll examine systems of power, public policy, and social change while preparing to advocate for more equitable communities.
You’ll develop the ability to:
- Advocate for marginalized communities
- Shape policy that promotes justice
- Analyze legal and political systems
- Address systemic inequities
Popular Double Majors and Minors
- Political Science
- Sociology and Criminology
- Public Policy
- Law and Society
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Interested in Building Global Connections?
Develop a deeper understanding of Africa and the broader African diaspora while strengthening your ability to communicate across cultures and navigate an interconnected world.
You’ll develop the ability to:
- Communicate across cultures
- Understand global social and cultural dynamics
- Build connections across international communities
- Navigate an interconnected world
Popular Double Majors and Minors
- International Politics
- Foreign languages: Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish
- Global and International Studies
Interested in Transforming Industry and Business?
Bring global perspectives, cultural understanding, and analytical thinking to organizations across industries. Whether you major in African American Studies or African Studies, you’ll develop the knowledge and perspective to understand diverse communities, collaborate across cultures, and approach complex challenges with creativity and insight.
You’ll develop the ability to:
- Apply global perspectives to organizational challenges
- Communicate across cultures and viewpoints
- Lead and collaborate with diverse teams
- Think critically and creatively to solve complex problems
Popular Double Majors and Minors
- Organizational Leadership
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Communications Arts and Sciences
- Business Administration and Marketing
Interested in Supporting and Uplifting People?
Explore how history, culture, identity, and public policy shape individual and community wellbeing. Through the study of Africa, the Black experience in the United States, and the broader African diaspora, you’ll develop the knowledge and perspective to serve, advocate for, and empower others.
You’ll develop the ability to:
- Advocate for equitable access to care and opportunity
- Understand how identity, culture, and policy shape wellbeing
- Analyze social and economic inequalities affecting people of Africa and African descent
- Develop creative solutions to community challenges
Popular Double Majors and Minors
- Biobehavioral Health
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Sociology
- Education
- Premed or health-related pathways
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Internships
Gain hands-on experience with organizations focused on advocacy, education, government, public policy, and community engagement while building professional skills and exploring potential career paths.
You’ll have opportunities to:
- Apply your classroom learning in professional settings
- Build research, communication, and leadership skills
- Explore careers in public service, education, advocacy, and nonprofit organizations
- Expand your professional network
Students have interned with:
- Government and policy offices
- Community education, arts, and youth programs
- Leadership programs
- U.S.-based refugee and immigration organizations
- Athletic and sport organizations
- Senior support services
Education Abroad
Study abroad through faculty-led courses, embedded programs, summer experiences, and semester-long programs that deepen your understanding of Africa, the Black experience in the United States, and the broader African diaspora.
You’ll have opportunities to:
- Experience cultures firsthand
- Connect classroom learning with global perspectives
- Learn alongside expert faculty
- Explore communities and historical sites around the world
Popular destinations include:
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Chile
- Egypt
- Morocco
Research
Work alongside faculty on research that explores Africa, the Black experience in the United States, and the broader African diaspora while developing the skills to ask meaningful questions and communicate your discoveries.
You’ll have opportunities to:
- Conduct independent and collaborative research
- Work with faculty mentors
- Present at undergraduate research exhibitions
- Pursue an honors thesis
- Attend the Model African Union Conference
- Contribute to the Africana Global Virtual Forum
- Intern with the Center for Black Digital Research (#DigBlk)
Career Paths
Africana Studies prepares students to think critically, communicate across cultures, conduct research, and understand the historical and contemporary issues shaping communities around the world. Graduates pursue careers across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors while also continuing their education through graduate and professional programs.
Continue Your Education
Many students pursue advanced degrees in fields such as:
- Law
- Public Policy
- International Affairs
- History
- English
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Education
- Geography
- Nursing
Explore Career Opportunities
Graduates have pursued careers such as:
- Attorney
- International Business Consultant
- Public Policy Strategist
- Intelligence Analyst
- Human Rights Officer
- Community Engagement Director
- Journalist
- Professor
- Recruiter
- Educator
- Consultant
- Government Affairs Director
- Professional Sports Scout
- Production Assistant
Make an Impact Across Industries
Our graduates contribute to organizations in fields including:
- Law, Health, and Public Policy
- Government and Public Service
- Education
- International Affairs
- Communications and Sports
- Media, Film, and Theatre
- Business, marketing, and consulting
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Research
- Graduate and Professional School
Where Our Graduates Work
Examples include:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Boeing
- Detroit Lions
- KPMG
- Oracle
- Shell
- The World Bank
- Urban Institute
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of State
- Universities
Continue Your Journey
Ready to explore where your interests can take you? Discover how African American Studies and African Studies can help you build the knowledge, skills, and experiences to make a meaningful impact in your community and around the world.