Overview

The Black Studies program at Northwestern University is led by faculty with diverse interests in the histories, experiences, and cultures of people of African descent around the world.

Black Studies by its very nature is an interdisciplinary field. It acquaints students with myriad ways of thinking, researching, and writing about the diverse experiences of African Americans in the United States and of African descended people throughout the African Diaspora (from dispersion, colonialism, the slave trade and slavery, through emancipation, decolonization, independence, and postcolonialism).

Black Studies brings together the voluminous scholarship generated by past and present historians; political scientists; sociologists; cultural, literary, and performance studies critics; and scholars working on diverse topics and constructions of class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

Education

The Department offers advanced graduate training through a PhD in Black Studies. Three substantive areas form the basis of this program:

Expressive Arts, Literature, and Cultural Studies

Politics, Society, and Culture

History

Each of these areas is populated by scholars within the department who focus their research within a domestic and/or international context.

Programme Structure

Areas:

Expressive Arts

Literature

Cultural Studies

Politics, Society, and Culture

History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

18 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Evanston, United States

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies African studies View 65 other PhDs in Area & Cultural Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

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Other requirements

General requirements

An undergraduate degree in Black Studies, but may also be satisfied by relevant coursework in African American Studies, African Studies, Ethnic Studies or Area Studies.

Statement of purpose: Applicants will supply statements in which they describe their intellectual interests and the factors that have shaped them.

At least two letters of recommendation: Reference letters should speak to students' writing, research, analytical, and teaching skills where applicable, and all letters should comment on students' intellectual creativity and enthusiasm.

Writing sample: Candidates will need to demonstrate a critical facility in their writing and in the analysis of intellectual problems.

Undergraduate and graduate transcripts: Please submit transcripts via online application.

Exams: TOEFL scores will be required of non-native English speakers. GRE scores are not required.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9344 USD / year

≈ 9344 USD / year
Out-of-State

9344 USD / year

≈ 9344 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9344 USD / year

≈ 9344 USD / year

Living costs

Evanston

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Black Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Education

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Evanston

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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