PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are encouraged to check on availability for the Autumn 2023 term in August 2022.
Students who have completed a master's degree in African American and African Studies or related fields can ordinarily apply directly to the PhD program. At the time of admission, the Graduate Studies Committee will decide the number of credits from the student's MA program that may be applied to the doctoral program. Students enrolling for the PhD with a relevant external MA degree can transfer up to 30 credits from the external MA program. Students enrolling for the PhD with a relevant external MA degree can transfer up to 30 credits from the external MA program. Students enrolling for the PhD with a relevant external MA degree can transfer up to 30 credits from the external MA program. Students enrolling for the PhD with a relevant external MA degree can transfer up to 30 credits from the external MA program.
Applicants are admitted for the Autumn semester only. The Graduate Studies and Curriculum Committee, however, will also consider applications for the spring semester on a case-by-case basis.
Documentation required to apply for admission to our PhD program is the same as for the MA program. Applicants who have not already submitted the following documentation as part of their MA degree in African American and African Studies must submit it to enroll in the PhD program:
1. The applicant must submit electronically the following documents to the Graduate Admissions Office:
- an on-line application form submitted through the Office of Admissions website.
- transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate-level course work.
- official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test.
- TOEFL scores, in the case of all foreign students. Foreign students must meet the graduate School’s TOEFL requirement of 650 on the paper-based test or 114 on Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT).
- a two-page, double spaced Statement of Purpose that explains why you wish to pursue a graduate degree in AAAS including research experience and interests, career goals, and probable focus area.
- three academic letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system). You may submit additional letters of recommendation that speaks to your understanding of the global black experience.
- a writing sample of your scholarly work (e.g., honors thesis chapter, a research paper, an extended literature review or historiographical essay).
NOTICE: Application materials submitted via email will not be considered and cannot be processed.
NOTE: No decision on admission or financial aid can be made until an applicant’s file is complete. We, therefore, recommend that you follow up with your undergraduate institution and referees to make sure that the requested actions have been completed. Once applications are submitted students are encouraged to check the status of materials received by the department’s graduate program office, through the Graduate Admissions website indicated above on a regular basis.
