Bachelor in African-American/Black Studies (Bachelor's)

Tuition is Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $64,880..

The Africana program at Bates focuses on the study of African and African diasporic experiences across history, culture, and global contexts. Students engage with race as a critical analytical framework in disciplines including history, literature, politics, and sociology. The program emphasizes theory-to-practice learning through research, internships, and community engagement. Students develop strong analytical and writing skills through a faculty-guided thesis project.

Focus areas include African history, African American literature, Black trans and queer culture, African intellectual history, Urban communities, Jazz studies.

The program requires a thesis written under faculty supervision. Students complete coursework across multiple disciplines with no specified credit breakdown beyond the thesis requirement.

Graduates enter careers in research, teaching, policy, advocacy, law, cultural organization, curating, and digital management.

Applicants must be admitted to Bates College. No specific GPA, test scores, or prerequisites for the Africana program are listed. Application materials include standard college admissions documents.

On-campus, full-time, four-year program. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 13% of applicants.

Students at Bates take part in a campus community that connects academic life with social responsibility and the wider city of Lewiston. Campus activities include arts and athletics, concerts, readings, plays, exhibitions, and dance performances. Public and community events, alumni activities, and student-led conversations add to the range of experiences available beyond scheduled classes. The college's calendars also include orientation, holidays, examinations, registration, commencement, and reunion.

Academic choice is central to the Bates experience. Students can choose from 38 majors and 29 minors, or create an interdisciplinary major through the Independent Interdisciplinary Studies program. The faculty community includes scholars, scientists, and artists who support students through personalized mentorship. Academic opportunities extend from first-year seminars to senior thesis work, with an emphasis on intellectual inquiry, reflection, personal growth, and engagement with the world beyond the campus.

International students can connect with Bates through virtual information sessions, student-led Bobcat Chats, and an on-demand virtual campus tour. The admission team provides regional contacts for applicants selecting their country or region, alongside opportunities to speak with current students or admission staff. Bates is located at 2 Andrews Road in Lewiston, Maine. In-person visits include a student-guided campus tour, an information session, and opportunities to learn about admission and financial aid.