African American Studies

Overview

The African American studies program is an academic community of professors and students who are committed to analytical and creative work in African American studies dedicated to the primary goals of the humanities and a liberal arts education and equipped with the quality assets sought across disciplines and professions—knowledge of human cultures and our world; personal and social responsibility alongside civic engagement; and the abilities to critically read, think, and write from interdisciplinary methodologies.

The African American studies (AAS) minor complements every major and offers students the opportunity to acquire a greater understanding of the history, cultural developments, and social constructions of Black America. This interdisciplinary program equips students with the necessary knowledge and training to function more effectively across levels of expertise and in a variety of fields and careers.

Core Concepts

Students who minor in African American Studies will:

Gain insight into the historical and contemporary struggles and triumphs of people of African descent through studying the effects and implications of racism, inequality, and injustice—knowledge that makes minors competitive in graduate studies and employment
Develop critical thinking and writing skills and interdisciplinary methodologies— foundational tools for success across disciples and degree programs as well as assets in any career
Learn the value of civic engagement and what it means to be personally and socially aware, responsible, and empathetic—valued qualities sought by employers

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"African American Studies at UM helped me reconnect to my history. I chose African American Studies because I plan to become a Mental Health Counselor for minority and at-risk communities, and I wanted to be able to learn more about Black people and culture so that I could better serve the community and have knowledge of advocacy for my clients that I could demonstrate to employers. It’s not only taught me to do scholarly historical research but its courses, especially Introduction to African American Studies, also incorporates mathematics, disability awareness, English Language Arts, American Sign Language, and more within our learning. The classes and all the events have helped me and other diverse students connect. I have made numerous friendships and connections in African American studies that brought me a sense of family and community and are helping to prepare me for my future."
-Current Student with a major in Psychology and minor in African American Studies

Minor Requirements

The African American Studies (AAS) minor consists of 18 credit hours (9 required hours and 9 elective hours). Students can successfully complete the minor in as few as 2 or 3 semesters.

Required Courses:

AAS 200 – Introduction to African American Studies
AAS 301 – Race, Class, and Gender
AAS 302 – Black Popular Culture

Elective Courses:

AAS 370 – Special Topics in African American Studies
AAS 400 – Interdisciplinary Research Methods in African American Studies
AAS 470 – Special Topics in African American Studies

*Or courses submitted to and approved by the African American Studies Committee

African American Studies Course Offerings for Spring 2026

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Student Advising

Career Opportunities

Career-Ready Graduates

Potential Career Options for Graduates with a minor in African American Studies:

Academic professions including but not limited to:
- African American Studies, American Studies, Cultural Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Business, STEM
Civic, Public, and Human Services:
- Social Worker, Public Health, Urban or Regional Planner, Diplomats, Foreign Service Officers, Community Advocates, Municipal Management
Creative and Performance Arts:
- Authors, Poets, Screenwriters, Playwrights, Media Critic, Filmmaker, Digital Media Creation, Historical and Cultural Performance
Public and Private Health and Medicine:
- Registered Nurses and Midwives, Hospital Administrators, Prevention Specialists, Environmental Health and Safety Managers
Business and Technology:
- Hospitality Managment, Program Design and Management, Business Management, Accounting, Entrepreneurship

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Scholarships & Aid

Student Aid

The University of Montevallo Student Aid Office is here to assist UM students and families with the financial aid process. We invite you to review the information provided on our webpages and contact us with questions and for assistance.

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Scholarships

All entering freshmen and transfer students admitted to UM by the scholarship priority deadline will be included in the scholarship evaluation for merit-based scholarships. In addition to merit-based awards, scholarships are also available based on financial need, leadership, community service, choice of major, and other miscellaneous criteria.

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