What Can I Do With A Degree In AAAS?
In 1968, San Francisco State University established the nation’s first Black Studies department. In 1970, the University of Kansas created the Department of African Studies, which was later renamed African and African-American Studies in 1986. Similar to any department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, our objective is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in a diverse array of professions, encompassing the arts, business, education, foreign affairs, medicine, law, science, and other disciplines. However, we, along with numerous African and African-American Studies departments across the country, are continually confronted with the following inquiry:
What career opportunities are available to individuals with a degree in African and African-American Studies?
In a word . . . Anything.
This list only scratches the surface, but as you can see the possibilities are plentiful.
Some careers may require licensure, certification, or additional education. Talk to a AAAS advisor for details.
Education
Administrator, K-12 Teacher, Student Affairs, Professor, University Administration
Communication and Media
Journalist, Linguist/Interpreter, Media Relations Specialist
Management and Industry
Civil Services Worker, Cultural Resources Manager, Human Resources, Social Worker,
Non-Profit/Advocacy
Healthcare Activist, Peace Corps , Program Administrator
Government/Politics
Civil Service Work, Community Urban Planning, Foreign Service Specialist, Political Analyst, Public Administration, Public Affairs and Policy, State and Local Government
Graduate School
The Department of African and African-American Studies offers graduate degrees at the M.A. level, & you can enter other academic & professional programs.
Transferable Skills
Analytical/Critical Thinking, Creating Innovative Solutions, Cultural Understanding, Expressing Ideas, Gathering Information, Identifying Problems, Listening Skills, Multi-tasking, Persuasion, Planning, Problem Solving, Public Speaking, Research Skills, Strategic Planning/Visioning, Technical Writing, Written Communication, and many more!
Check out a few of those who followed their passion, and pursued a degree in African & African-American Studies!
Aaron McGruder
Cartoonist, writer and creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip and animated sitcom, "The Boondocks." (BA in African-American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.)
Angela Bassett
Award-winning actress. (BA in African-American Studies from Yale University.)
Mae Jemison
Physician and NASA astronaut on the Endeavor in 1992. (BA in Afro-American Studies from Stanford University.)
Anita Easterwood
Nationally recognized visual artist based in Kansas City. (MA in African & African-American Studies from the University of Kansas.)
Michelle Obama
Attorney and former First Lady of the United States. (BA in Sociology with a minor in African-American Studies from Princeton University.)
Do Kim
Civil rights attorney & founder of the Korean American Youth Leadership Program. (BA in Afro-American Studies & Sociology from Harvard University.)
Claudia Thomas
Author and first Black female orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. (BA in Black Studies from Vassar College.)
Brad Allen
Director, Lawrence Public Library (MA in Black Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.)
