African American Studies

Make an even greater impact, whatever you plan to do in life. This program is for anyone who wants to increase their cultural awareness and gain invaluable insights about some of today’s most talked-about issues, including race, class and gender.

The African-American Studies program—perhaps the first interdisciplinary program at UB—offers a comprehensive view of the Black world. If you want to understand global history, migrations, religions, economics, politics, popular culture and other key factors that shape society, start right here.

Departments

Academic Programs

Majors

Minors

What will I learn?

Immerse yourself in the past, present and future as you choose from a variety of fascinating courses about the African diaspora and other world-changing events. Here, you’ll focus on themes that continue to play a significant role in our lives as you study the African American, African, Caribbean and Black European experience.

With a relatively small number of required classes, this program combines a holistic approach with opportunities to further explore your personal interests such as culture, history and art.

What can I do with an African-American studies degree?

Diplomat. Lawyer. Museum curator. Banker. Health specialist. Journalist. These are just a few of the careers you can choose from with a degree that gives you an in-depth understanding of people and culture.

The African-American studies program prepares you for advancement and flexibility throughout your career. Tap into some of today’s most in-demand skills, including:

  • Increased cultural fluency
  • The ability to think critically about complex problems
  • The confidence to conduct in-depth research
  • An advanced understanding of communication tools 

Some of the more popular career paths for our alumni include working in education, government, international affairs, law, urban renewal and health professions—but really, the only limit is how you choose to apply your skills.

By the Numbers

Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.

Occupational Wage and Growth Statistics
Occupation TitleMean Annual WageMean Hourly WageFuture Outlook
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$67,810.00$32.60

Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.