Africana Studies, PhD

Return to: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

The University of Pittsburgh’s graduate program in Africana Studies is led by faculty trained in Africana Studies as well as other disciplines from the humanities and social sciences. The Ph.D. program in Africana Studies distinguishes itself with its emphasis on Race & Equity, Migration & Community Transformation, and Culture & Creative Production. Graduate students in the program receive rigorous training in the discipline of Africana Studies. In addition, to broaden their intellectual experience and maximize their professional opportunities, students are encouraged to explore the various graduate certificates and courses outside the department which align with their areas of concentration. The Ph.D. program in Africana Studies prepares graduate students for university-level research and teaching, as well as professions in international relations & development, public policy & government, the arts, health equity & global health, non-profit organizations and other careers.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Felix Germain
Director of Graduate Studies: Robin Brooks
Graduate Program Administrator: Paris Yamamoto

Main Office: 4140 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
412-648-7555
Fax: 412-624-7214
E-Mail: ffg4@pitt.edu
https://www.africanastudies.pitt.edu/

Admissions

Applications are considered once a year for fall admission only. All students wishing to apply must submit their application electronically through the university’s online application process. In addition to the following requirements, applicants must meet the general Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences requirements for admission to graduate study. The following application materials are required: an application form submitted online to the School of Arts & Sciences; a non-refundable application fee of $75 (The University offers fee waivers for the following national programs that cover application fees: Gates Millennium Scholars Program, McNair Scholars, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans, and those currently serving or who previously served as members of the U.S. Armed Services); a statement of purpose describing the applicant’s intellectual interests (in alignment with our faculty areas of expertise) and professional aspirations; three (3) letters of recommendation intended to provide independent evaluation of each applicant’s potential; unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (If applicants are non-US citizens, they must submit transcripts in the native language accompanied by notarized English translations);  and English Language Scores for all non-US citizens. All non-U.S. citizens applying to the graduate program (except for those who have received degrees from a U.S. institution or from other English-speaking countries) must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS, or Duolingo as part of their application packet to demonstrate a sufficient command of English to meet the requirements of their field. The minimum scores are 90 for TOEFL (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading, and writing), 7.0 for IELTS (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections), and a 120 for Duolingo.

Financial Assistance

In the graduate program in the Department of Africana Studies, admitted students will receive funding for five years in various forms, including fellowships, teaching assistantships, teaching fellowships, graduate student assistantships, and other forms of funding. The Department of Africana Studies has different types of funding in which our graduate students may qualify. We encourage students to also apply for financial support via external and other university funding throughout their time in the program. Students can speak with the DGS about funding for the summer term. Funding is not guaranteed beyond the fifth year.

General Requirements

The School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh requires a minimum of 72 credits at the 2000-level or above for the PhD. Of these 72 credits required for the PhD Africana Studies, 39 will be earned through required seminars, courses, and electives offered by the Department of Africana Studies; an additional 33 credits can be earned through other elective courses, seminars, direct reading, independent studies, or dissertation credits. The following course of study will comprise these credit requirements:

• AFRCNA 2860 Africana Research Methods

This seminar explores how Africana scholars formulate their research questions and design their methodologies. It explains how they use a variety of methodological approaches for conducting research in Black communities worldwide and creating new ideas that contribute to the advancement of Africana Studies scholarship.

• AFRCNA 2031 Critical Africana Pedagogy

This seminar examines the arts of teaching and learning in Africana Studies. Students are introduced to Africana-centered pedagogical tools while also being exposed to resources from the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning.

• AFRCNA 2750 Africana Studies Proseminar I

Introduces students to cultural, social, historical, artistic, and theoretical approaches to developing a global analytics of Blackness

• AFRCNA 2850 Africana Studies Proseminar II

Explore theories of Black migration and community formation

• Additional AFRCNA courses: 27 credits
• Electives: 33 credits

Courses in Concentration Area (research track):

• Students must take a minimum of three (3) courses in their particular area of concentration or research track. The areas are Race & Equity; Migration & Community Transformation; and Culture & Creative Production.

Graduate Transfer Credits: Students already holding a Master’s degree have the potential to transfer up to 30 credits from another approved degree-granting graduate program. The transfer credits will be evaluated and approved by the Director of graduate studies and two other members of the department graduate faculty.

Comprehensive Exams:  Students should aim to take their comprehensive exam either before or in the fall semester of the third year. Should the student fail the comprehensive exam they will have the right to retake it once. The failed exam must be retaken prior to the end of the third year. The student has the right to choose new examiners. If a student does not pass the retake exam, tenure will end with the term during which this exam took place.

To obtain the Ph.D. in Africana Studies, it is recommended that students:

• Complete required coursework by the end of the second year; if the student has a master’s degree in Africana Studies already, they do not have to complete the master’s comprehensive examination (research paper), but they should complete the preliminary examination by the end of their first year
• Pass comprehensive examinations in the fall of the third year or earlier
• Defend the dissertation prospectus in the spring of the third year (no later than early fall of the fourth year)
• Be admitted to candidacy at least 8 months prior to their defense date
• Have their dissertation defended and approved by the dissertation committee by the agreed upon date that the student chooses in consultation with their dissertation chair
• Complete at least 72 credits (course work and research included) with a GPA of at least 3.0, including the required courses