African American and African Diaspora (Africana) Studies

Program Description

AAAD provides students a transdisciplinary education and exciting entry into Africana Studies through our undergraduate minor. Our diverse faculty from across the university and our rigorous courses prepare students to understand the liberation and humanity struggles of Blacks and other peoples and prepare them for professional life by teaching them to think critically, write persuasively, be effectively creative, and learn comprehensively.

See our requirements for the minor. As of 2026, AAAD is applying for a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies with tracks in Cultural Heritage, Liberal Arts, and Urban Studies.

AAAD continues Morgan State University’s history of serving and advancing the struggle for citizenship of all peoples in the United States and humanity across the world. Black people across the globe have been creative in that struggle, using and creating a variety of methods to thrive, advance, and save their communities. Thus, AAAD allows for students to study Black communities in various and multi-disciplinary ways, including Africana Studies, English, Fine Arts, Geographic Information Systems, History, Museum Studies and Historical Preservation, Sociology, STEAM, and Women and Gender studies courses, study abroad, internships, and research projects. This transdisciplinary approach broadens our understanding of people, societies, and struggle and enhances our creative ability to participate and lead in communities.

With such strong analytical skills, students are prepared for grad school and to be effective in a wide variety of fields and careers. Africana Studies scholars often work in education, law, government, research, and communications. 

Morgan State University boast a strong tradition of Africana Studies students and scholars. Two of our most recent graduates, Monica Joseph and Kristian Whitehead, won notable academic awards. Past and present Morgan State University Africana Studies students and professors include Dr. Nick Aaron-Ford, Dr. M.K. Asante, Dr. Jared Ball, Dr. Helen G. Edmonds, Dr. Janwanza Kunjufu, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Dr. Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Dr. Benjamin Quarles, and Dr. Raymond Winbush.