Program Overview

Dual M.A. with African & African-American Studies

The University of Kansas offers a dual master's degree program in Museum Studies and African & African-American Studies. This program allows students to complete two M.A. degrees in three years, with coordinated curricula and 15 graduate credit hours applied to both programs. Students will complete a 33-credit-hour AAAS degree and a 36-credit-hour Museum Studies degree with just 54 graduate credits.

This program enhances and diversifies opportunities for graduate students who are motivated to enter the cultural heritage field as specialists in African & African-American Studies. It also allows students to expand their contacts with faculty, enhance their professional networks, and deepen their knowledge of both fields of study.

How to Apply

To apply for the dual M.A. program, students must complete the KU Graduate Studies Application to the AAAS and Museum Studies Combined M.A., meeting the established admission requirements of each program. Neither program requires the GRE. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission to the other.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for Fall 2026 admission is February 3, 2026.

Required Application Materials

• A copy of the official transcript, issued by the Registrar's Office of the institution from which the student has (or will have) earned their bachelor's degree (and master's degree, if applicable).
• One essay, not to exceed three single-spaced pages, with a fourth page allowed for a bibliography, if needed. The essay should respond to the prompt: How has a museum experience shaped your outlook on the function and relevance of museums? Explain how you have seen museums engage with their various audiences, stakeholders, or communities.
• A personal statement, not to exceed three double-spaced pages, explaining:
  • Those aspects of museums and museum studies that particularly interest the student
  • The student's professional goals, including the area of museum work that most attracts them
  • The student's relevant experience and background
  • How the student believes KU's Dual Museum Studies/African and African-American Studies M.A. program matches their interests
  • Anything else the student thinks is important for the Admissions Committee to know
• Three letters of recommendation, with at least two coming from professors, instructors, or other individuals who can speak directly to the student's academic ability.
• A resume or curriculum vitae that lists the student's education, employment history, volunteer experience, internships, scholarships/fellowships, and academic awards.
• A sample of the student's writing or creative work, which could be an academic paper or a combination of written work and a portfolio of creative work (maximum 15 double-spaced pages).

Admission Requirements

Please see the Admission to Graduate Study policy for additional information on admission requirements.

Program Details

If a student has begun coursework in either AAAS or Museum Studies, they can apply to the joint degree prior to completing all coursework requirements for the first degree. In consultation with the respective directors of graduate study, the student may receive credit for coursework already completed. However, depending on when the application for admission to the second degree program is submitted, the student may be required to take more than the required 54 credit hours of coursework to obtain both degrees.