African American Studies, Graduate Certificate
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in African American Studies requires at least 12 s.h. of credit. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.75 in work for the certificate. The certificate provides a rigorous scholarly program and develops in-demand skills for a wide range of fields including civic, corporate, education, government, law, medicine, and numerous other industries.
Students must be enrolled in a graduate degree program of study and meet yearly with the certificate advisor to plan their coursework.
The Certificate in African American Studies requires the following coursework.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM:5900 | Advanced Readings in African American Studies: Historic and Contemporary Debates | 3 |
| Three courses (3 s.h. each) related to African American studies numbered 3000 or above; at least 6 s.h. of these must be taken in a department other than a student's primary area of study (selected in consultation with advisor) | 9 | |
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Doctor of Philosophy students are encouraged to apply for the certificate program in the first year of graduate study. Students earning a master's degree should apply in the first semester to allow for sufficient time to select and complete African American studies coursework. Applicants must have a grade-point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application.
Applicants should list any relevant course work in their written application statement. Students should review the list of acceptable courses for the Graduate Certificate on the African American Studies Website. Other courses may be considered pending doctor of graduate studies review.
For more information, please visit Graduate Programs on the African American Studies website.