Graduate Study

Graduate Study

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate students pursue study of Africa in a discipline. In the course of their work toward a degree in a discipline, they may earn a Ph.D. minor or a graduate certificate in African Studies.

Ph.D. minor in African Studies

 

The Ph.D. minor in African Studies is for students completing a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who wish to focus their study on Africa.  It requires four courses or seminars in two departments outside the student’s major department.  The African Studies minor is completed under “Minor Option A” of the Graduate School regulations.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Minor in African Studies

 

  • Complete a minimum of 12 graduate credits from the African Studies Program core curriculum in four courses or seminars outside the major field, and from at least two different departments. (Agricultural and Applied Economics and Economics courses/seminars are considered to be of one discipline for purposes of the minor.)
  • Graduate credit is available only for courses with numbers of 300 or higher.
  • At least one of these four units must be a course or seminar at the 700 to 900 level.  No thesis or dissertation credits (990) may be used.

Additional terms

  • Introductory first-year language courses may not be used for the Ph.D. minor in African Studies even if they are numbered 300 or higher. Language courses may count for the minor only in so far as they do not overlap with departmental language requirements.  When a department requires an African language for the Ph.D., language courses may count toward the minor only above and beyond four semesters of study in one language.
  • Include no more than one independent reading and research course in the four courses or seminars submitted.

Application for the Ph.D. Minor

  • Meet with the African Studies Program advisor. To make an appointment, email Catherine Reiland: creiland@wisc.edu .
  • Submit the Ph.D. Minor in African Studies application form and obtain the approval and signature of major professor. After you have completed the preliminary Ph.D. examinations, the African Studies Program director or designate will sign the warrant indicating completion of the Ph.D. minor.

Suggestions for Students Pursuing the Ph.D. Minor in African Studies

  • Early Approval of Minor Program:  It is your responsibility as a graduate student to determine that all courses/seminars being completed are eligible for inclusion in the Ph.D. Minor.  We encourage you to consult with the African Studies Program advisor before taking courses intended to be included in the Minor.
  • Language Training:  In planning your program, bear in mind the strong desirability of attaining competence in an African language. For many kinds of research, ability to use a language as a research tool is indispensable.
  • Auditing Courses:  In addition to courses and seminars formally taken for credit, you are encouraged to audit additional offerings to develop a broad competence in African Studies.

Special Circumstances and Conditions in Complying with the Ph.D. minor

  • Grade Point Average:  A 3.0 Grade Point Average is required for all courses submitted for the minor.
  • Credits from other Universities:  Courses from other universities which were taken for graduate credit may count toward the minor with approval of the African Studies Program.  Normally, only two of the required four courses or seminars may come from outside the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Exceptions may be proposed by petition.
  • Courses taken as an undergraduate:  Courses taken while the candidate was an undergraduate student are not eligible for credit toward the Ph.D. minor, including courses with graduate level numbers.

The graduate certificate in African Studies

The graduate certificate in African Studies is awarded to students at the graduate level at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to certify advanced training in African Studies. It is awarded by the African Studies Program and the Graduate School.

Requirements for the graduate certificate in African Studies:

  • Complete at least 12 credits of African Studies Program core courses or extended core courses taught by an African Studies Program faculty member.
  • Graduate credit is available only for courses with numbers of 300 or higher.
  • Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Fulfill the requirements for a master’s or doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Include nine credits outside your major department. No more than three credits will count from your major department.
  • Complete at least one graduate level seminar in African Studies with a grade of AB or better. It may be in your major field.

Additional terms

  • Include no more than three credits of directed reading and research or independent reading (699, 999). No thesis/dissertation credits (990) may be included.
  • Only one course in a single language may count toward the certificate, but two languages courses count if they are in different African languages.
  • NOTE: All African Languages and Literature courses may count toward the graduate certificate within the limits set by the distribution requirements described above.

Application for Graduate Certificate in African Studies

  • Meet Catherine Reiland, assistant director and advisor. To make an appointment, visit the online WiscCal Scheduling Assistant (NetID required).
  • Submit the application form for the graduate certificate in African Studies and obtain the approval and signature of major professor. After you have completed the requirements for the graduate certificate in African Studies, the African Studies Program director or designate will inform your major department that you have earned the Certificate.

Graduating with the Graduate Certificate

Certificates will be awarded only upon completion of a UW-Madison graduate degree.