African American and Africana Studies Certificate

Assistant Program Director and Academic Advisor: Marshal Washington

The Certificate in African American and Africana Studies offers undergraduate students an excellent opportunity to develop a specialization in African-American issues while pursuing a major in another field.  Certificate students learn about the social, economic, political and cultural history of the African-American people through a concentration of courses they plan with the AAAS Academic Advisor.  Courses taken toward the certificate also may be used to satisfy General Education requirements and electives.

Earning a Certificate in African American and Africana Studies gives students a competitive advantage in the job market by adding greater focus to their undergraduate experience.

Course Title Credits
AASP General Education Courses
AASP100Introduction to African American Studies3
AASP101Public Policy and the Black Community3
AASP200African Civilization3
or AASP202 Black Culture in the United States
Upper Division Electives
AASPPre-approved courses 300-level or above in other departments 9
Seminar
AASP400Directed Readings in African American Studies3
or AASP402 Classic Readings in African American Studies
Total Credits21
  • Students must earn a "C-" or above in each course applied toward the certificate.
  • Students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average across all courses used to satisfy the undergraduate certificate requirements.
  • No more than 9 credit hours applied towards a major may be counted for the certificate.
  • No more than 9 credit hours may be taken at institutions other than UMD.

For more information, or to apply, please call the African American and Africana Studies Department at 301-405-1158. The AAAS office is located in 1119 Taliaferro Hall.