Master of Arts Program in Africana Studies

The master’s degree in Africana studies can be pursued full time or part time. Full-time students are required to satisfactorily complete 32 points of graduate course work distributed as follows: semester 1) the required Proseminar in Africana Studies plus two additional Africana studies courses; semester 2) either three Africana studies courses, or two Africana studies courses and one Directed Readings course; and semester 3) either two 4-point Directed Readings courses, one 4-point Directed Readings course plus one other 4-point course, or two other 4-point courses, in addition to a master’s thesis. To qualify for the M.A. degree, students must either write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their final semester of work. Internships in institutions and organizations in New York City may be taken for 4 points. Students are assigned advisers to assist them in arranging courses for their area of study and in the supervision of their thesis or comprehensive exam.


JOINT MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN AFRICANA STUDIES AND ECONOMICS

The goal of this program is to help students develop social science skills that can be used to better society in the public and private spheres, specifically in support of African and African diaspora communities. The program provides students with a social science background in economics and Africana studies. Students analyze development economics, politics, and other social sciences and gain a broader perspective of how these disciplines apply to Africa and the African diaspora. Students can earn a Master of Arts in this program by taking 36 points over three terms. The curriculum consists of required courses from both economics and Africana studies, as well as elective courses from other social science disciplines, such as politics, or from other schools at NYU, such as the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. The final requirement is either a master’s thesis or a special project associated with an internship conducted at a site involving the application of social science knowledge and principles to African affairs. While this program specifically targets African students, others with interest in this interdisciplinary connection between Africana studies and economics are encouraged to apply.


JOINT MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN AFRICANA STUDIES AND JOURNALISM

The goal of this program is to help students develop journalistic and social science skills that can be used to better society in the public and private sphere, with a specific focus on the African and African diasporic communities. Students will develop skills in analyzing and writing about politics, culture, and society, and their intersections with African and African diasporic subjects. Concurrently, they will sharpen their ability to research, report, and write with depth, understanding, and perception about these subjects for a sophisticated general public. The curriculum will be composed of 42 credits of required classes from both the Departments of Journalism and Africana Studies, as well as elective courses from other disciplines (the Department of Politics, the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the Department of History, and others).
The final requirement will be a master’s project in the form of a well-researched and well-reported journalistic work of 6,000 to 10,000 words, in explanatory, investigative, or narrative style.


CONCENTRATION IN MUSEUM STUDIES

This concentration requires the completion of 36 points (16 in museum studies), a master’s thesis, and a full summer internship in a museum or cultural institution. Those planning to work as museum professionals with collections in museums, historic houses and sites, and government agencies relating to black history and culture, literature, and politics are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact the Program in Africana Studies, 212-992-9650, or the Program in Museum Studies, 212-998-8080.