BA Afro-American Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The Afro-American Studies programme at UMass Amherst is an interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, culture, music, economics and literature of people of African descent in the United States and across the African diaspora. It builds on the scholarship and social justice commitment of W. E. B. Du Bois and is described as one of the largest programmes of its kind in the country.

Faculty: College of Humanities & Fine Arts | Department: W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

Interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, culture, music, economics and literature of Black communities, including the links between those experiences and wider cultural, political and economic forces.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for roles in federal, state and local governments, schools and colleges, community organizations and other public-trust organizations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UMass Amherst first-year applicants (all undergraduate majors): complete Common Application including the UMass questions, official high school transcript (grades 9-11), official transcripts for any college coursework, a letter of recommendation and a $90 application fee; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional policy). Minimum high school units: English 4; Mathematics 4 (Algebra II minimum, including math in senior year); Natural Science 3 (with labs); Social Science 2 (one course in US history); Foreign Language 2 of the same language; Electives 2. Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year applicants: the Common Application opens August 1; the Early Application deadline is November 5; the Regular Decision deadline is January 15; the FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.

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