Careers for Graduates with a Degree in African American Studies

Diversity of Knowledge Lends Diversity to Job Search

Careers  for graduates with a degree in African American studies are found throughout the United States, but with the greatest concentration in metropolitan areas or regions that are home to large minority populations.  African-American studies is a relative newcomer in the academic arsenal of many colleges and universities.  Like degrees in women's studies, degrees in African American studies came out of the 60's push to expand the recognition of the civil rights of all Americans.    Programs in African American studies appeared first on the east coast at Harvard University and on the west coast at Stanford University.  Today graduates with a degree in  African American studies come from colleges and universities all over the country and prepare for careers in public, private and non profit employment.

Black History, Civil Rights Facilities    The academic training received by graduates with a degree in African American studies  has uniquely prepared them to apply for career positions on the staffs of many of America's premier museums, cultural centers and historic sites.  Across the country, museums that feature American art, music or theater displays are likely to have career opportunities for graduates with a degree in African American studies who are qualified to supervise the development of their African American galleries, displays and exhibits.

The leadership of  institutions with multicultural displays recognize that it is  important to work with graduates with a degree in African American studies in order to insure the cultural authenticity and historical accuracy of all of the African American exhibits and the manner in which they are displayed and incorporated in the total museum presentation.  By hiring a graduate with a degree in African American studies on staff, museums'  leadership believe they have added to the overall brain trust and cultural awareness of their building.