Metadata
Title
African American Studies
Category
undergraduate
UUID
ef138704b50b4f59bb60e2abb50fc9b2
Source URL
https://admissions.purdue.edu/majors/african-american-studies/
Parent URL
https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/majors/
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T03:18:46+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown
# African American Studies

**Source**: https://admissions.purdue.edu/majors/african-american-studies/
**Parent**: https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/majors/

[Home](https://admissions.purdue.edu "Go to Undergraduate Admissions.") / [Academics](https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/ "Go to Academics.") / [Majors](https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/majors/) / African American Studies

# African American Studies

Explore history, culture and justice as you learn about Black literature, politics, music and social movements while gaining the skills to lead, advocate and inspire change.

Jump to:

- [Careers](#Careers)
- [Connect](#Connect)
- [Transfer](#Transfer)

Choose a link:

Jump to:

Careers 

Connect 

Transfer

## Program Summary

African American studies provides focus on the experience of African Americans and their connections to the African Diaspora in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Coursework addresses cultural practices, with reference to literature, history and film, as well as inequality as it relates to issues of nationality, race, class and gender. Develop a solid theoretical and research basis to pursue either employment in business and industry or graduate studies.

[Explore Plan of Study](http://catalog.purdue.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=18&poid=32285)

### Quick Facts

- **Degree:** Bachelor of Arts
- **Location(s):** West Lafayette
- **College/School:** [Liberal Arts](https://www.cla.purdue.edu/)

- [Request Information](https://apply.purdue.edu/register/form?id=e76823a3-0564-4abe-ad59-8e1263a99a4b)

## Why Purdue?

73.4%

Of Liberal Arts students complete an internship

Purdue Center for Career Opportunities, 2024

Top 10

Public University in the U.S. — 3 Years Running

QS World University Rankings, 2026

## **Possible Careers**

Our students prepare for careers in a wide range of fields where creativity, critical thinking, communication and a deep understanding of the human experience are highly valued including:

- Civil rights advocate
- Community organizer
- Diversity, equity and inclusion specialist
- Educator
- Journalist or media analyst
- Public policy analyst

## ******High School Course Recommendations******

You should pursue the most rigorous high school curriculum available to you. Succeeding in challenging courses will make you a stronger candidate for Purdue’s competitive admission process and better prepare you for college success.

[Minimum high school coursework](https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/highschoolcourses.php) (many applicants exceed these minimums):

- Math – 4 years
- English – 4 years
- Lab science – 3 years
- Social studies – 3 years
- World language – 2 years

## Connect

### College of Liberal Arts

Join a community of thinkers, doers and communicators. Explore our programs grounded in theory and driven by real-world impact.

- [Learn More](https://www.cla.purdue.edu/)

### Contact

**Undergraduate Student Recruitment Office**\
[(765) 494-6291](tel:7654946291)\
[newstudent@purdue.edu](mailto:newstudent@purdue.edu)

- [Email](mailto:newstudent@purdue.edu)

### Visit

Experience for yourself all that Purdue has to offer with opportunities to explore in-person or virtually.

- [Schedule a visit](https://admissions.purdue.edu/visit/index.php)

### Apply

Ready to take the next step? Apply to begin your journey at Purdue in the African American studies program.

- [Apply Now](https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/)

## ******Transfer to****** African American Studies

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue’s [overall transfer criteria](https://admissions.purdue.edu/transfer/index.php), as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the [closed programs page](https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/closedprograms.php) to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

- Minimum 2.5 GPA

- [Learn more](https://admissions.purdue.edu/transfer/index.php)

## Related Majors

[View All Majors](https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/majors/)

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Learn More](https://admissions.purdue.edu/majors/american-studies/)

[Anthropology

Your curiosity about people, cultures and what makes us human drives you. Explore everything from ancient civilizations to today’s global challenges. Dig into big questions, learn to think across cultures and gain skills that open doors to careers around the...

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Explore how humans and artificial intelligence (AI) interact, what it means to live in a digital society and how fairness plays a role in emerging technology. Shape the future of AI — from ethics to marketing — no coding required....

Learn More](https://admissions.purdue.edu/majors/artificial-intelligence/)

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Explore the many dimensions of Asia — from politics and religion to pop culture and global trade. Develop skills in language, research and international awareness to prepare for exciting careers with a global impact. Program Summary  Dive into the rich...

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[Classical Studies

Through the study of language, literature, philosophy and art, you’ll build timeless skills in critical thinking, writing and analysis — preparing for careers in law, education, museums and beyond. Program Summary  Explore interrelated disciplines and develop an understanding of the...

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Uncover how the mind works and the brain makes meaning. In this interdisciplinary major, you study thought, behavior, language, and technology—gaining insights that connect science and society while developing skills to think critically and solve complex problems. Available on the...

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Dive into the power of words, images and media to influence, inspire and inform — while building strong communication skills and exploring how media shapes culture and public perception. Program Summary  As a communication major at Purdue, learn how to...

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Comparative literature highlights global stories, big ideas and deep thinking. Explore literature, film and culture from around the world while sharpening your writing, analytical and language skills. Program Summary  As a student in comparative literature, explore world literature not just...

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[View All Majors](https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/majors/)