Overview

The African and African American Studies programme at Stanford University provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for examining the history and culture of people of African descent. Students engage with diverse academic perspectives to understand the central role of the African diaspora within the global landscape.

This undergraduate major encourages scholars to cross traditional departmental boundaries, integrating insights from sociology, political science, and the arts. By combining theoretical investigation with community service learning, the curriculum ensures that students develop practical research skills alongside a robust intellectual foundation.

Why African and African American Studies at Stanford University?

The programme is distinguished by its affiliation with the School of Humanities and Sciences, offering access to world-class faculty and extensive archival resources. Students benefit from a unique learning environment that emphasises both traditional disciplinary rigour and innovative interdisciplinary investigation techniques.

The department fosters a vibrant intellectual community where undergraduates can pursue specialised honours research or participate in introductory seminars. These opportunities allow students to work closely with experts in fields ranging from linguistics and philosophy to economics and performing arts.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 22577 per semester
National fee: USD 22577 per semester
Local fee: USD 21709 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

African American Studies I: Black Religion, Culture, and Experience to the Civil War
Global Black Diaspora Studies I: Diaspora, Literature, Cosmopolitanism
African Studies I: Africa in the 20th Century
Themes in Black Studies I
Anthropology
Art History
Economics
Education
Drama
Linguistics
Literature
Music
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sociology

Careers with African and African American Studies

Graduates are well-prepared for admission to prestigious graduate schools or for immediate entry into diverse professional sectors. The analytical and research skills gained during the programme are highly valued in fields such as law, journalism, and international relations.

Many alumni pursue successful careers in education, business, and public policy, applying their expertise to complex social issues. Other common career paths include roles in the performing arts, cultural studies, social sciences, and theatre, reflecting the broad versatility of the degree.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Studies in Music, Media, and Popular Culture: The Soul Tradition in African American Music

African American Vernacular English

The Egyptians

The 5th Element: Hip Hop Knowledge, Pedagogy, and Social Justice

English: Introduction to African American Literature

History of South Africa

South Africa: Contested Transitions

Nineteenth Century America

From Freedom to Freedom Now!: African American History, 1865-1965

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Stanford, United States

Disciplines

American and Australasian studies African studies View 258 other Bachelors in African studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

Coalition Application or Common Application
$90 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver request
ACT or SAT (Writing/Essay not required) (refer to testing for score reporting policies)
School Report and counselor letter of recommendation
Official transcript(s)
Letters of recommendation from two teachers
Midyear transcript (by February 15)
Standardized testing is one of the application requirements that can highlight academic preparedness. There are no minimum test scores required to be admitted to Stanford, and there is no score that guarantees admission. At Stanford, we review applications holistically, meaning every component of the application is valuable to us as we get to know each student.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

67731 USD / year

≈ 67731 USD / year
Out-of-State

67731 USD / year

≈ 67731 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

67731 USD / year

≈ 67731 USD / year

Additional Details

Tuition per quarter. Students are typically enrolled in classes for three quarters: autumn, winter, spring.

Living costs

Stanford

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for African and African American Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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