Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

MA Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree is offered in three areas of concentration:

  1. African American Studies
  2. African Studies
  3. Comparative Diaspora Studies

The Program has a minimum requirement of 36 credit hours. Of these, no more than 6 (six) credit hours may be taken outside the Department of African American and African Studies. Students may take up to 3 (three) credit hours of independent study. The permission of the Director of Graduate Studies is required when a student wishes to enroll in additional independent study or additional course work outside the Department.

All students must take the following core courses:

AAAS 7753: Graduate Survey in African American and African Studies
AAAS 7754: Methodological Perspectives in African American and African Studies
AAAS 7756: Theorizing Race and Ethnicity

In addition, students enrolled in the MA Program in African American and African Studies must either write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their course work. Subject to the rules of the Graduate School, students pursing the MA degree in African American and African Studies may elect either of the following degree program plans:

  1. The Thesis Plan: 30 credit hours of course work, 6 credit hours of thesis research, and an oral examination.
  2. The Non-Thesis Plan: 36 credit hours of course work, a comprehensive written examination, and an oral defense.