Graduate Programs
Master of Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Africana Studies
The Master of Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary
degree program that focuses on the study of the African Diaspora with attention to
history, culture, society, and politics. Coursework in Africana studies—wherein faculty
research focuses on the western, eastern, and southern Africa, the Americas, and the
Caribbean—aligns with the University of South Florida’s strategic goals of developing
“well-educated, highly-skilled global citizens” who will assume leadership roles domestically
and abroad. By choosing Africana Studies, you become a part of a unique education
entity that is grounded in the experiences, culture, and contributions of the Black
World (the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean). Indeed, Africana Studies is
itself an institution indebted to the passion for social change and the power of progressive
thinking that emerged during the late civil rights movement and the Black Power era.
USF’s Department of Africana Studies was founded in 1969 and was the first department
of its kind to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in the state of Florida. In
2016, it joined with International Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies,
and Political Science to develop an interdisciplinary school focused on training students
to develop cross-disciplinary skills and perspectives to advance research that expands
our collective knowledge and capacity to recognize, assess, and address social, political,
and economic linkages across local and global communities.
Admissions
The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at the University of South Florida offers a master's in liberal arts with a concentration in Africana studies. For a listing of the admission requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog.
Students must apply for admission through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
*International students should review the Office of Admissions International Students website for additional information and requirements.
*International students are also encouraged to contact the Office of International Services for information on visas, international travel, etc.
Program Requirements
For the Master's in Liberal arts with a Concentration in Africana Studies degree requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the Graduate Catalog under which they were admitted.
*Students can elect another catalog following the one they were admitted under. More information on this policy, and other policies, can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
*Students must request approval from the graduate director for any course not pre-approved and listed under the degree in the Graduate Catalog.
Financial Assistance
Each year SIGS hires a small number of MA-level graduate assistants to support its undergraduate classes. This is the only form of financial assistance offered by the department. To learn more about how to apply for one of these positions, please visit our graduate assistantships page.
To learn about other financial assistance opportunities, please visit USF’s Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Graduate Studies Funding website.
Forms/Information
For further information or questions, please fill out this form.