Master's Degree in Africana Studies Completion Checklist

  1. GSAS requires that students maintain continuous enrollment in their programs from the time of matriculation to graduation. To maintain active status in a degree program a student must enroll each fall and spring semester until their degree is awarded.  If a student has completed all coursework but requires additional time to complete their degree, then they must enroll in Maintain Matriculation [MAINT-GA 47474] and pay the maintenance fee each fall and spring semester until degree conferral. Students may maintain matriculation only up until the time to degree limit, which is five years. Please refer to the GSAS’s policies and procedures manual.
  2. Complete required seminars, Pro-Seminar in Africana Studies, AFRS-GA 2000, and SCA Pro-Seminar: The Art of Research, AMST-GA 3310 (8 points), and 22 points of elective coursework for a total of 30 points. Refer to the Program Guidelines for details.
  3. Submit a Thesis Proposal form with summer research plan and chapters, subsection or other parts outlined at the end of your second semester* in the program. *Applies to Full-Time students.
  4. Apply for graduation: You must apply for graduation via Albert the semester before you intend to graduate.  Please visit the registrar’s website for specific graduation deadlines and instructions for completing a graduation application. You are responsible for meeting their graduation deadlines.
  5. Select a second reader from the core Africana Studies faculty, in addition to your primary advisor, at least one semester before you intend to complete your Thesis Paper, and notify your advisor. 
  6. Register for a 2-credit Readings in Africana Studies during the semester you will complete your thesis and graduate. This will also fulfill your program course requirements.
  7. Submit your first Thesis Project draft to your readers no later than two months into intended term of graduation (ex. Nov. for January graduates; March for May graduates).
  8. Provide both readers with the Master’s Thesis Reader’s Form to complete while evaluating your thesis and an evaluation rubric sheet.
  9. Obtain a signature from each reader on a single Thesis Title Page (following this template as a guide) once your final draft has been approved.
  10. Submit your completed readers’ form, signed title page, thesis evaluation rubric, and final thesis (as a PDF) to the Graduate Program Coordinator no later than two weeks before the university graduation degree requirements deadline.
  11. Submit final thesis with revisions (PDF and hard copy) to Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Coordinator no later than two weeks after graduation deadline.
  12. Clear any outstanding Bursar bills on your Student Account in time for degree conferral.