Why NOT major in AFS? Don't let either of these popular myths discourage you from joining our Program...
Wrong. There are lots of careers in the public and private sectors that are available to graduates with liberal arts degrees like African American Studies. While it is true that bachelor's degree graduates in very specialized programs (like nursing, education, medical technology, etc.) may have an easier time landing that first job, many employers in a range of different fields prefer the broad, interdisciplinary background that a major like African American Studies provides.
Better yet, African American Studies can fit into almost any plan for future graduate study! Although law, medical, and graduate schools sometimes require or recommend a specific list of undergraduate courses as prerequisites to admission, the majority do not restrict their prospective students to a particular undergraduate degree. In fact, almost half of today's medical students are non-science majors, and law schools rarely require any specific undergraduate courses.
The important thing is for AFS majors to educate themselves about the graduate programs they are interested in and to make sure to pick up any required courses as part of their plans of study.
The AFS Program at UNCG includes course offerings from ten different departments and programs, including Art, Anthropology, Dance, English, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, and Women's & Gender Studies, in addition to its own AFS classes. The innovative curriculum yields new courses on a regular basis, including one of the most recent, Hip Hop Culture, Economics, and Politics. How much more contemporary can you get?
AFS majors get extensive insights in to the full range of Black culture and history and a thorough exposure to a wide range of perspectives on race and ethnicity, which are unquestionably important elements in today's world. Majors graduate with a solid understanding of the experiences and contributions of peoples of African descent in the Americas both throughout history and today, and they are prepared for leadership in the African American community and in American society.
In short, the AFS Program is vibrant and dynamic -- it is on the cutting edge of contemporary issues affecting African Americans while still maintaining a strong historical foundation. It's got great courses, great teachers, great students, and is a great start on the path to a satisfying career, whether you choose law, medical, or graduate school or head directly into the working world.
Why wouldn't you choose AFS?
To make AFS your major, second major, or minor, complete the online change of major/minor form here.
