Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about our program, including why you should consider majoring or minoring in African American Studies, the career opportunities available to graduates, and how to make changes to your major. If you need personalized guidance or have additional questions, feel free to contact our faculty or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
Why major in African American Studies?
The African American Studies program is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary study of the history, culture, and socio-economic well-being of African-Americans. Knowledge and research methods drawn from several disciplines enable students to enhance their understanding of African-Americans’ unique social circumstances and heritage, and acquire a deeper comprehension of the history and culture of the nation as a whole.
Why minor in African American Studies
The minor enhances a student’s ability to engage in critical reasoning and analytical thought, with a premium placed on written and oral communication skills.
Just as African history is world history, African American Studies is American Studies. Successful minors examine America and the world community through the prism of the contemporary and historical experiences, culture expressions, and socioeconomic outcomes of African Americans and the collective African Diaspora.
What types of jobs are available to graduates with a major in African American Studies?
Everything. There are no limitations. African American Studies is excellent preparation for law, politics, public policy, teaching, or business, as well as graduate or professional school.
For more information, please see What Can I Do with A Black Studies Major? 500+ Answers.
How do I change my major, or add a second major in African American Studies?
If you are an upper-division student and you would like to change your major or add a second major in African American Studies you should either schedule an appointment on Campus Connect to meet with an Academic Advisor or email the Undergraduate Academic Program Specialist directly to schedule an appointment to see whether or not you are eligible to change your major or add a 2nd major in African American Studies.
Lower-division students should meet with an advisor in Bellamy 105 or Bellamy 106. A list of academic advisors and their contact information can be found online at: https://coss.fsu.edu/academics/contact/
Students can make an appointment through Campus Connect logging in to their my.fsu.edu page, clicking on the CC (Campus Connect) icon on the top left side, and following the prompts to schedule an academic advising appointment.
If I want to see an academic advisor, how can I make an appointment?
If you are an upper-division student and you would like to schedule an advising appointment for the African American Studies major, you should either schedule an appointment on Campus Connect to meet with an Academic Advisor or email the Undergraduate Academic Program Specialist directly to schedule an appointment.
Lower-division students should meet with an advisor in Bellamy 105 or Bellamy 106. A list of academic advisors and their contact information can be found online at: https://coss.fsu.edu/academics/contact
Students can make an appointment through Campus Connect logging in to their my.fsu.edu page, clicking on the CC (Campus Connect) icon on the top left side, and following the prompts to schedule an academic advising appointment.
What is the purpose of the Derrick Alexander Endowment in African American Studies Program?
This scholarship is to be awarded to economically-disadvantaged students in any degree-earning program at Florida State University in compensation for work in the activities of the African American Studies Program. This award will help solve one the society’s important problems, the retention of economically-disadvantaged students in higher education.