African American Studies

Director
Grant Jenkins, English

Advisory Board
Lara Foley, Sociology 
Marc Roark, Law


The certificate program in African American studies is designed for traditional and non-traditional students who want to gain an understanding of the history, literature, and culture of African Americans. Students must be in the process of completing a degree at The University of Tulsa or have already earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Students must complete 18 hours of approved course work, nine of which must be at or above the 3000 level. At least 3 hours must be in a course addressing people of African descent outside of the United States. Approved courses are listed each semester in the Schedule of Classes, and students should select courses that satisfy the following requirements:  Core Course (6 hours are mandatory for all students); Literature and the Arts (select from approved courses in black literature, language, theatre, and music); Social Inquiry (select from approved courses that treat legal, sociological and anthropological aspects of black life); History (select from approved courses that treat various aspects of the history of black people of African descent).

Certificate Requirements

 Credit Hours

Core  6 
Literature and the Arts  3 or 6 
Social Inquiry  3 or 6 
History  3 or 6 
   
Total Required for Certificate 18

Note: Freshman and senior seminars on African American subject matter, internships in the African American community, and study abroad programs may also receive credit toward the certificate, pending the approval of the director and the advisory board.

Students interested in fulfilling the requirements of the certificate program should consult the program director.