Graduates of the African Studies program have gone on to pursue career opportunities in politics, foreign service, public health, government and non-governmental organizations, and international development agencies, as well as teaching and research.

About The Program

The African Studies Program grew out of the excitement emanating from the decolonization of the continent in the mid-1960s and the awareness of the important role Africa could play in world affairs. Current faculty members have worked in a number of nations throughout Africa including Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and across North Africa, and the university has been engaged in research and educational development projects in Botswana, Lesotho, Kenya, and Swaziland. The program offers a Master of Arts in African Studies and students can also pursue different certificates programs such as the African Health Community Certificate. 

For program admission requirements, visit: http://www.internationalstudies.ohio.edu/app-info/faq.html

Program Goals

As an interdisciplinary program, the African Studies Program provides students with a strong grounding in African Studies core disciplines (including political science, anthropology, history, health, geography, literature) while giving them the opportunity to form their course of study around their professional and academic goals. Themes include the socioeconomic development of the continent in the context of Africa’s grand cultural and historical traditions. Students may also view the study of Africa as an excellent case-study of the process of social change in the developing world. Students choose one of the three tracks to complete their degree. These include (a) a thesis track; (b) a professional project track; or (c) the completion of a comprehensive examination.

 

Language Proficiency

An important element of the program is proficiency in a African language. Students are expected to complete 9-12 credits hours of language study. Native speakers may talk to the Director to waive this requirement. Our on-campus language instruction includes offerings in Akan, Arabic, Somali, Swahili and Wolof (other languages may be available on request). The African Studies Program offers intensive language study during the summer- African Summer Language Institute (ASLI), and students may enroll to fulfill their requirement. Students may also opt to go abroad.

Opportunities

Students develop international competence which involves understanding other peoples and societies well enough to work effectively with them on a broad range of common problems. An African Studies major provides a broad-based liberal arts education that acknowledges the global relevance of the black experience. Majors may pursue career opportunities in politics, international organizations, government, teaching, and public health sciences.  

 

Visit us online

For more information, visit: http://www.african.ohio.edu/

Additional Information

To learn more about the African Studies graduate program at the Center for International Studies, Contact the Director:

African Studies Program

Ohio University

Yamada International House

Athens, OH 45701-2979

Email: african.studies@ohio.edu

Visit: http://www.african.ohio.edu/

Twitter: @ ouafricastudies

Phone: 740-597-1511

Fax: 740-593-1837