African American and African Studies - Doctor of Philosophy

Michigan State University

United States of America, East Lansing

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Home/United States of America/East Lansing /Michigan State University/African American and African Studies - Doctor of Philosophy

Michigan State University

United States of America , East Lansing

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines5-Jul-2022

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 5 year(s)

Tuition Fee

USD 47,916 / years

Next Intake 5-Jul-2022

African American and African Studies - Doctor of Philosophy

About

The doctoral program in African American and African Studies (AAAS) at MSU offers exclusive advanced study in black studies with vanguard scholars who work to forward the power and scope of black lives, worlds, and world building. This boutique doctoral experience emphasizes intensive instruction and copiously supportive dissertation project supervision. Our work is informed by an expectation that the work of black studies is significant and meaningful to each student. This program is best suited for students with a strong sense of direction for postgraduate study. Cohorts are small and every graduate program of study is tailored to the individual student. We believe there are definite markers for success for each Ph.D. student and we help guide their efforts towards fulfilling those goals. The doctoral program in AAAS offers exclusive advanced study in black feminisms, genders, and sexualities studies with concentrations in Black Cultures and Institutions, Black Girlhood Studies, or Black Speculative Ecologies.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

To be considered for to the Doctor of Philosophy in African American and African Studies, an applicant must:

Submit a personal statement, written or audio.
Submit a written statement of academic purpose stating professional goals and disciplinary interests in AAAS.
Submit a writing sample, usually a recent research paper, or sample of creative work, to the Department of African American and African Studies in the College of Arts and Letters.

To be admitted, the applicant must have a master’s degree in an appropriate field or have completed at least 30 credits of approved course work beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Guidance Committee

Upon , you are assigned an interim advisor and faculty member to serve on your Guidance Committee. During the first year of study, you prepare a guidance committee approved course of study document that stipulates course work, scholarly development, and dissertation/final project. The document should include the student's learning goals as well as their professional and academic background towards a rationale for their declared concentration area.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in African American and African Studies

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Arts and Letters, students must complete 24 credits of AAAS 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research and the approved course of study as approved by the student’s guidance committee. Students will submit a dissertation proposal to the guidance committee and pass an oral examination in defense of the proposal. Students must successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.

English Program Requirements

Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

USD 47,916

How to Apply

Plan for application fee

The $75 application fee is required to officially submit your application for admission.

Have official transcripts sent from your school

Request that all secondary schools, colleges, universities attended and/or examination boards send original or attested copies of all transcripts, marks sheets, certificates and diplomas earned directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. These can be sent through the online services listed below or by mail. If sending by mail, any hard copy of academic records must be sent in an official, sealed envelope.

Online services:
Parchment
Common App
Coalition for College
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House

Mail:
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604

In addition, if the original documents are not issued in English, an official translation of each document must be provided along with the original language documents. Translations may be done by the school, college or university attended or an authorized/official translator in the country of study. Review MSU's International transcript requirements for country-specific transcript information.

Note: Documents submitted to MSU as part of the application process will not be returned.

Select your major preference

As a freshman you do not have to officially declare your major yet, however you will be asked to select your major preference on the application. If you are undecided, select the "Exploratory preference" option.

Changing your major preference
After submitting the application, fall freshman applicants have until May 1 to change their major preference in their account. Any student who applies, or is admitted, after May 1 cannot change their major preference until they meet with an academic adviser at New Student Orientation (NSO).

Indicate any college-level course work completed

If you anticipate the completion of any college-level course work prior to attending MSU, it is recommended that you indicate this on your application or contact the Office of Admissions to let us know.

Submit English language proficiency test results

Have the testing agency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT or MELAB accepted) provide proof of English proficiency directly to MSU if your first language is not English. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. MSU is test optional, which means international students are encouraged, though not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. The SAT code is 1465; the ACT code is 2032.

Review our full overview on English language proficiency for details on temporary exceptions due to the impact of the novel coronavirus — including additional tests being accepted and expanded opportunities for provisional admission.

Student visa requirements

In order to obtain the documents needed to file for a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019), admitted students must show adequate proof of financial support. Upon acceptance, admitted students will be required to upload a signed affidavit of support and bank statement with the name of the account holder in English through your admissions account. Please do not send financial documents in paper form at the time of application.

Do not send letters of recommendation

Do not send letters of recommendation, photographs, portfolios or additional personal essays. Doing so will delay processing of your application.