Program Overview

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African Studies Certificate

Program Overview

The African Studies Certificate will provide you with valuable knowledge about Africa and its diverse peoples and cultures. Completing a sequence of courses on Africa and the Black Diaspora will challenge students to think critically about African and global Black literature, history, politics, sociology, anthropology, etc. Broaden your appreciation and knowledge of the diversity of peoples, identities, aesthetics, and cultural traditions that make up the mosaic of the African continent.

Benefits

• Earn credits toward your University Transfer Associate Degree as well as for your future 4-year degree. The certificate includes courses across several disciplines, including English, history, journalism, anthropology, and sociology.
• Use the certificate to highlight your commitment to strengthening connections with others across cultural and linguistic divides; your openness to consider diverse perspectives; and the capacity to explore your own limitations and beliefs.
• Use the certificate as a first step towards other goals in your future, such as a higher proficiency level in cultural and global awareness, further study or work abroad, or even a university degree majoring in African Studies.

Transfer

Many of the courses included in the African Studies Certificate offer a direct one-to-one transfer to University of Wisconsin schools. Direct transferability varies according to major and college of choice. Check with your advisor and transfer school for verification of qualified courses. This certificate also serves as a gateway to many related majors, such as Social Work, History, English, Anthropology, and Sociology.

Program Details

Students earning the African Studies Certificate can attend full or part time.

University Transfer classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

• Madison - Truax
• Madison - Goodman South Campus

Curriculum and Experience

Required Course

• Introduction to African and Global Black Studies (3 credits)

Complete nine (9) credits from the listed courses:

• African American Literature (3 credits)
• Introduction to African Literature (3 credits)
• World Issues Journalism (3 credits)
• Early African History (3 credits)
• Modern Africa (3 credits)
• African Politics (3 credits)
• Energy, Environment and Society (3 credits)
• Honors - African Studies (2 credits) (2 credits)
• Honors - African Studies (3 credits) (3 credits)

Admission

Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open.

To Apply

There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.

Application Dates

• Fall 2025: Application open, Application completion deadline is October 15, 2025
• Spring 2026: Application available on September 15, 2025, Application completion deadline is March 15, 2026

Additional Notes

• Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid
• Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis
• Students who have already completed the certificate coursework at the time of application will receive the certificate diploma at the end of the term of application

Career Outcomes

The African Studies Certificate addresses six of the eight Madison College Core Abilities. Core abilities are identified by Madison College as the critical skills graduates gain during their studies and use as lifelong learners on the job, at home and in the community. The African Studies Certificate curriculum contributes to the following core abilities: communication, critical thinking, ethics, global and cultural perspectives, self-management, and social interaction.

After completing the African Studies Certificate at Madison Area Technical College, you will be knowledgeable in:

• Cultural Awareness: Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to other cultures’ norms, practices, and actions while at the same time recognizing, acknowledging, and appreciating individual differences.
• Intercultural Communications: Communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse people in intercultural teams and work groups.
• International Travel: Exhibit preparedness/readiness for international travel, including the abilities to assess and respond to health and safety risks and adapt to unpredictable situations.
• Global Citizenship: Recognize self as a part of global culture by demonstrating awareness of the interdependence of global systems, understanding how the United States may be perceived worldwide, solving problems with multiple perspectives and variables, and making globally responsible decisions.
• Global Work Skills: Apply global perspectives to the workplace through the use of appropriate technology for international communication, the ability to collaborate with diverse co-workers, and the ability to adapt to variances between cultures in occupational processes, procedures and practices, and through recognizing the impact of the global economy on various occupations and professions.

Related Programs

• University Transfer - Social Sciences
• University Transfer - Arts and Humanities
• Race and Ethnic Studies
• Interdisciplinary Global Studies

Estimated Program Cost

$2,537.84

Estimated Time to Complete

12 Credits | Finish in 1 semester

Delivery Method

100% In Person

Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study

Education and Social Sciences

Your Degree

Certificate

Program Number

CERT