Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies

The African American Studies major examines, from numerous disciplinary perspectives, questions of race, culture, and modern struggles for equality centering on the experiences of people of African descent in Black Atlantic societies including the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and Africa, and the global impact of those experiences. Students in the department explore the historical, cultural, political, economic, and social development of Black Atlantic societies. Majors work to become informed thinkers who are intellectually prepared to offer clarity and insight to ongoing academic and public debates centered in questions concerning race and inequality. African American Studies majors become knowledgeable about the history, primary methodologies, and interdisciplinary breadth of the field. Students learn to critique, articulate, analyze, and interpret universal themes concerning both individuals in society and group interactions as they relate to the work of scholars, scientists, writers, artists, musicians, economists, and entrepreneurs.

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.Yale will extend its test-optional admissions policy to the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. All applicants for undergraduate admission for fall 2024 enrollment may apply with or without ACT or SAT scores.
The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale's most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.
The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale's most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.