The program seeks to enrich understanding of the interactions among the social, economic, cultural, historical, linguistic, genetic, geopolitical, ecological, and biomedical factors that shape and have shaped African societies.

By arrangement with the Stanford/Berkeley Joint Center for African Studies, graduate students may incorporate courses from both institutions into their programs. Contact the center for information regarding courses offered at the University of California, Berkeley.

Courses in African Studies are offered by departments and programs throughout the University. Each year the center sponsors a seminar to demonstrate to advanced undergraduates and graduate students how topics of current interest in African Studies are approached from different disciplinary perspectives.

Course offerings in African languages are also coordinated by the Center for African Studies.  Along with regular courses in several levels of Arabic, Swahili, Xhosa, and Zulu, the center arranges with the African and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures Program in the Stanford Language Center to offer instruction in other African languages; in recent years, it has offered courses in Amharic, Bambara, Chichewa, Ewe, Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Kinyarwanda, Shona, Swahili, Twi, Wolof, Xhosa, Yoruba, and Zulu.

 

The Center for African Studies offers the following academic degrees/certificates

MA IN AFRICAN STUDIES

The one-year Master of Arts program in African Studies at Stanford University is designed for highly qualified college graduates who have previous experience working, living or studying in Africa. The program seeks a diverse group of students prepared to pursue a highly focused, demanding course of study in a limited time frame.

 

JOINT DEGREE OPTION: JD/MA

The Center for African Studies offers a joint JD/MA program with the Stanford Law School. The program supplements specialized training on Africa with rigorous training as a lawyer.

 

MINOR AND CERTIFICATE IN AFRICAN STUDIES

 A minor in African Studies and the certificate in African Studies are interdisciplinary programs that allow the qualified students the opportunity to select relevant courses in various departments according to his or her interests in African studies.

 

HONORS THESIS WORKSHOP

 The Center for African Studies organizes a workshop for students working on senior honors theses on Africa related topics.

 

 

 

Financial Aid

The Center for African Studies does not offer full academic funding.  However, it offers partial fellowships to up to two students in the MA program.

 

 

find the right program for you...

The diversity of African Studies programs attracts many students with different backgrounds, goals and trajectories.  Each program has its own unique benefits and challenges, and to best highlight them, we've shared the experiences of some of our previous students.  Their stories may help you decide which program is best for you.


The MA program helped Vanessa Watters shape her academic trajectory, and prepared her for a Ph.D in Anthropology.  She shares her experience...


 

 

 

 

As a co-term in the MA program, Rachel Quint was able to explore issues and interests that she had been unable to focus on in her undergraduate career. She shares her experience...

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the African Studies Minor,  Will Tarpeh saw an opportunity to expand his scholarship and inform his technical exploration of technologies that he hopes to develop and apply in southern Africa.  He shares his experience...