Why should I apply for the African Studies Graduate Certificate
In any given year, KU regularly has more than fifty Africa-focused students in a variety of disciplines, across seven professional schools and 17 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences departments. The Graduate Certificate in African Studies helps bring this wide-ranging body of graduate students into closer contact with the Center's resource base. The Certificate also enhances graduate students' future marketability. Many disciplines in which the AAAS & KASC graduate student community is concentrated advertise jobs for PhD candidates with African expertise. The Certificate in African Studies strengthens KU graduates' opportunities in this specialist job market.
Admissions criteria
Current KU Graduate Students:
Current graduate students wishing to enroll in the African Studies Graduate Certificate Program will apply through the Graduate School. A student must be in good standing with their current graduate degree program in order to participate in the certificate program. A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission. The application process entails completing the online application, paying a $30.00 application fee, and submitting materials required for the African Studies Graduate Certificate:
- A letter stating your interest in African Studies and its relationship to your graduate course of study
- An unofficial copy of your KU transcript or a current copy of your Degree Progress Report (DPR)
- A letter of support from your graduate degree program
Non-KU Graduate Students:
Non-KU graduate students must complete an application to the Graduate School for admission into the certificate program and submit a $30.00 application fee along with the following materials:
- A letter stating your interest in the African Studies Graduate Certificate Program
- Official copies of transcripts from all previous post-secondary educational institutions
- Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic work or potential for graduate study
All inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Shawn Leigh Alexander, AAAS Graduate Director, 15 Bailey Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
email: slalexan@ku.edu
or Dr. Elizabeth MacGonagle, KASC Director, 207 Bailey Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
email: macgonag@ku.edu
or Lauren Chaney, AAAS Graduate Academic Advisor, 6 Lippincott Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
email: lkchaney@ku.edu
