PhD Students at Temple Lead the Way in African American Studies

Study African Civilisations, Culture, and Change at Temple University

Founded in 1884, Temple University is a public, state-related research institution based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for its commitment to accessible, high-impact education, it offers over 600 academic programmes across 17 schools and colleges, including professional schools in law, medicine, and business. The university holds R1 status for very high research activity and is ranked among the top public universities in the United States.

Among its distinguished academic offerings, Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts provides a Doctor of Philosophy in Africology and African American Studies, designed for students who wish to engage in progressive research and make a meaningful impact within their communities. The university explained that this PhD is the oldest African American Studies doctoral programme in the country and is firmly rooted in an Afrocentric approach to academic inquiry. The university noted that doctoral students are prepared to address a wide range of intellectual issues affecting Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora. Students are invited to explore areas such as art, culture, economics, history, and politics relating to Africans, African Americans, and people of African descent.

Alongside a comprehensive curriculum, students engage in specialised research, often supported by teaching or research assistantships. While research is largely independent, students may collaborate closely with faculty members. The university added that the programme’s faculty are recognised leaders in their field and are affiliated with prominent organisations, including the African Literature Association, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Association of Black Women Historians, the National Council for Black Studies, and the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. Temple highlighted that the department’s faculty edit the Journal of Black Studies, the leading peer-reviewed publication in the discipline, and that students may contribute to it. The combination of individual research and specialised coursework equips graduates for careers in public and private sectors, including arts and humanities, business, healthcare, and social services. Some graduates continue their research, while others pursue academic careers, teaching at the collegiate level and inspiring future leaders in African American studies.

The university stated that its Africology and African American Studies Department is among the oldest of its kind in the United States and was the first to offer a doctoral degree in the field. It explained that the programme emerged during the Black Power Movement as an academic platform for students to challenge racism, discrimination, and oppression. Temple affirmed its ongoing commitment to this mission, noting that it has more African American students than any other university in the Northeast. This diversity, combined with a strong sense of global community, sets Temple apart from other institutions. The university added that its professors are recognised for their published work and that its graduates continue to lead African American studies programmes nationwide.

Students in the department may contribute to the Journal of Black Studies, connect with African communities locally and globally, collaborate with respected faculty on research, and participate in study abroad opportunities in Ghana. The university explained that students have seven years to complete the PhD, which may be pursued full-time or part-time, with classes held on Temple’s Main Campus. The 51-credit curriculum includes core courses, electives, a language examination, and a dissertation. Core courses include African Civilisations, Ethnographic Methods, Seminar in African American Social Philosophy, The Afrocentric Paradigm, and Theories and Methods in African American Studies.

Temple also noted that the PhD is related to other graduate degrees, such as Anthropology PhD, History MA and PhD, Political Science MA and PhD, and Urban Education MEd, as well as graduate certificates in Diversity Leadership, Strategic Communication and Cross-Cultural Leadership, Teaching in Higher Education, and Urban Education. The university emphasised that the programme reflects its commitment to access and affordability, offering competitive tuition rates and multiple financial support options. Tuition rates are set annually and vary by degree level, course load, and residency status, with the stated rates applying to the 2025–2026 academic year. Temple University’s programme continues to shape future scholars and leaders in Africology and African American Studies through rigorous research, global engagement, and a strong commitment to social justice.

Editor’s Note:

Temple University’s PhD in Africology and African American Studies offers students a unique chance to study the history, culture, and lived experiences of Africans and people of African descent. It is the oldest doctoral programme of its kind in the United States and was created during the Black Power Movement to challenge racism and promote social justice. Today, it continues to support students who want to make a difference through research, teaching, and community work. Students learn about African civilisations, social philosophy, ethnographic methods, and Afrocentric theories. They explore how art, politics, economics, and history shape the lives of African and African American communities. The programme helps students understand global issues and prepares them to work in education, public service, healthcare, business, and the arts. Temple supports students with teaching and research assistantships and gives them the chance to work closely with respected faculty. Many professors are leaders in their field and are part of national organisations. Students can also contribute to the Journal of Black Studies, a leading publication edited by the department. The university offers study abroad opportunities in Ghana and encourages students to connect with African communities locally and internationally. The programme can be completed full-time or part-time over seven years, and Temple provides financial support and competitive tuition rates.

Skoobuzz observes the importance of this programme as it gives students the knowledge and skills to lead, teach, and carry out research that matters. It helps them build careers and contribute to a more inclusive and informed society.