African American Studies
College of Humanities and Sciences
The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that provides students with knowledge of human cultures and intellectual and practical skills to engage complexity, diversity and change. The degree program fosters students’ personal and social responsibility and, through applied learning experiences, empowers students to negotiate and to solve the complex problems of the 21st century. The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies requires the completion of 120 credits with at least 30 credits in African American Studies courses. At least 15 of the 30 credits in African American Studies must be in upper-level courses.
Students also are required to establish an area of study by taking either a minimum of four courses in a single cooperating department or in one of the following multidisciplinary concentrations: artistic, historical and literary perspectives; political, religious and societal perspectives; or social and behavioral perspectives. At least one of the four courses taken in a single cooperating department must have an Africana focus, and at least one of the four courses must be an upper-level course. A cooperating department or program is defined as one that regularly offers at least one course with an Africana focus per year, which includes: Anthropology, Dance, English, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, Geography, History, Mass Communications, Music history, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Theatre. When non-Africana-focused courses are used to meet the concentration requirement, they must be selected in consultation with the African American studies adviser.
An undergraduate degree in African American Studies is good preparation for graduate study in African American studies, as well as other areas such as business, education, history, international relations, law, political science, psychology, public administration, public health, and social work. Career opportunities with a B.A. in African American Studies include employment in just about any industry from public and private schools to nonprofit organizations. The perspective fostered by an humanities degree in combination with excellent verbal and written communication skills are an asset for any career in the private or public sector. Part-time and summer jobs, internships, and volunteer positions are critical to gaining the experience and skills that employers seek.
- Budget Analyst
- City and Regional Planning Aid
- Fundraiser
- High School Teacher
- Historical Interpreter
- Human Resource Generalist
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant
- Social and Human Services Assistant
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Staff and Legislative Assistant
- Attorney
- College Professor
- Nonprofit Director
- Urban & Regional Planner
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
- Natural Sciences requirement only
- Yes
- No
- 2.0
Contact information
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in the DegreeWorks Student Educational Planner.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
- Complete UNIV 111, 112, 200, and AFAM 111.
- Consider taking foreign language and math during the first year as well as HIST 300.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
- If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
- Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
- Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
- Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
- If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
- Use career exploration resources to conduct research on the types of jobs you may be interested in with your AFAM degree.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website.
- Practice independent living skills like time management, self-care, and responsibility.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
- Take AFAM 211 during fall semester if possible.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
- Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Join an AFAM student organization.
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
- Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
- Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
- Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Engage in active career exploration via the African-American Studies department and Career Services.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Take AFAM 311, AFAM 399, or an approved methods course in the spring. HINT: you can only take 9 credits in AFAM 491.
- If in a perspectives concentration, be aware of perspectives elective requirements.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
- Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
- Take an international perspectives AFAM course that focuses on Africa or the Caribbean.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
- Consider completing an independent study (AFAM 492) or internship (AFAM 493) that serves as a skill- and career-building opportunity.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
- Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
- Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Take AFAM 493 in the fall semester to prepare for the required major capstone, AFAM 499, in the spring semester.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Challenge yourself through an Outdoor Adventure Program trip or activity.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
- Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
- Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Build intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
African American Studies
College of Humanities and Sciences
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explore | Year 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Experience | Year 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Year 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excel | Year 4 |
|
|
|
|
|