The Pan-African Studies Department offers courses that may be applied toward graduate degrees in other areas. Students must obtain their program advisor's permission before enrolling in these courses. Students who are interested in more information on these courses should contact the Chair of the Department.

Program Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Pan-African Studies program must meet the following standards:

• Minimum 3.00 undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
• Submission of an official transcript reflecting previous degree earned.
• Three letters of recommendation.
•  Graduate Record Examination (GRE): combined score of at least 900 on the previous version or 300 on the 2011 revised test.
• Submission of a personal statement.
• Submission of a current CV
• Online Application
• Writing Sample

Thesis Option

Core Courses 15

PAS 601: Graduate Research Methods

PAS 602: Theories and Issues in Pan-African Studies

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.

Concentration Areas:

African American Studies 12

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit focusing on African Americans distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.
• Three (3) credit hours in any PAS area focusing on African Americans.

Or

African and Diaspora Studies 12

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit focusing on Africa and/or the Diaspora, distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.
• Three (3) credit hours in any PAS area focusing on Africa and/or the Diaspora.

Thesis: PAS 604 3

Elective in Related Field (with advisor’s approval) 3

Minimum Total 33

Examination Option

Core Courses 15

PAS 601: Graduate Research Methods

PAS 602: Theories and Issues in Pan-African Studies

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.

Concentration Areas:

African American Studies 12

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit focusing on African Americans distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.
• Three (3) credit hours in any PAS area focusing on African Americans.

Or

African and Diaspora Studies 12

Nine (9) credit hours of PAS courses for graduate credit focusing on Africa and/or the Diaspora, distributed as follows:

• Three (3) credit hours in Historical Studies;
• Three (3) credit hours in Cultural Studies; and
• Three (3) credit hours in Social Studies.
• Three (3) credit hours in any PAS area focusing on Africa and/or the Diaspora.

Electives in Related Fields (with advisor’s approval) 6

Minimum Total 33

Note: Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination will be required of all students who do not complete a thesis.

Tomarra Adams, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Latrica Best, Ph.D
Assistant Professor

W. Carson Byrd, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Joy G. Carew, Ph.D
Associate Professor

Robert L. Douglas, Ph.D. 
Professor Emeritus

Anita Harris, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Pearlie Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Department Chair

Co-Director of Graduate Studies

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor

Theresa A. Rajack-Talley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Co-Director of Graduate Studies

William Tkweme, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor