Online Bachelor of General Studies in Africana Studies
Interdisciplinary focus on cultural, historical, and social perspectives
Coursework includes literature, music, philosophy, religion, history, art, and Africana studies
Builds critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual skills
Prepares graduates for careers in education, business, marketing, human resources, and politics
Admissions
Whether you're a first-time freshman or a transfer student, our admissions team is here to support you from day one.
Apply by
May 25, 2026
Classes begin
Jun 29, 2026
I have no college credits
For university acceptance, first-time freshman must meet the following criteria:
- Complete high school Core curriculum for college readiness in place at time of high school graduation
- Not be required to take more than one developmental course
- Have a high school grade point average of at least 2.0
- Meet one of the following:
- Have an ACT composite of 20 or higher
- Have a high school Core grade point average of at least 2.0
I have some college credits
Transfer students to LSUA must meet one of the following sets of criteria:
- Have earned a transferable associate degree or higher
- Have earned at least 18 hours of college-level credit, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0
- Have earned at least 12 hours of college-level credit from LSUE or CLTCC Bridge Program, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
- If the above are not met, meet freshman admission requirements and be in good standing with their previous institution
Transfer Credits: LSUA processes transfer credits in accordance with campus policies at the time the courses were taken. Prior to 2020, LSUA did not have a course repeat policy that excluded grades from GPA calculations. As a result, your stated GPA at LSUA may be affected, which could impact your admission decision
Tuition
LSUA offers competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees. Plus, you may be able to save even more by transferring up to 75% of previous credits.
Tuition & Fees
- 120 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $3401
- Cost per credit hour
- $10,200
- Total cost with fees and maximum transfer credits
- $40,800
- Total cost with fees
The final cost of this program will be determined once all transfer credits are evaluated. Transfer credits may apply for up to 75% of degree requirements. Your academic advisor will work with you to determine if and how any prior college credits or industry credentials earned will apply toward your LSUA degree. For further information about the approval for transfer credits and other requirements, please visit this site.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSUA offers multiple ways to help you fund your education, including financial aid, veteran education benefits, and credit for prior learning.
1 Beginning Fall 1 2026, all LSUA fully online programs are expected to increase by 4% (tuition and fees).
Academics
Students who graduate with our online Bachelor of General Studies in Africana Studies will gain the knowledge to make informed decisions about the issues affecting Africa and the African diaspora.
What Will I Learn?
Topics covered in this degree include:
- A broad historical survey of Black Africa and its Diaspora, encompassing: early African civilizations, the Atlantic Slave Trade, Black resistance to slavery, African decolonization, and Pan-Africanism in the 20th & 21st Centuries
- A survey of Black African musical traditions, examining West & Central African musical ideas and tracing the spread & manifestation of these ideas in the variety of music of the Atlantic World
- A study of selected topics or issues such as the experiences of African people and African-descended people across the Diaspora
- A broad survey of African spirituality including myths of origin, beliefs about spirit beings, rituals, sacred authority, and African Christianity and Islam
- A study of the history and theories that have characterized Black American cinema, with a broad emphasis on the relationship between African American cinema and American culture and politics
- A study of one or more African-American writers, the Harlem Renaissance, the social protest movement after World War II, the Black Arts Movement, and/or the canonical status of African-American writers
- A focus on the essential place of African Americans in US History from 1619 to the present
- Philosophical issues of race experiences and identity in America
Courses
The Online Bachelor of General Studies in Africana Studies requires 120 credit hours with 30 credit hours of open electives.
Your personal credit requirements could be less depending on transferable credits and credit earned from prior learning assessments.
| General Education Requirements (39 Credit Hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
ENGL 1001 - English Composition I |
3 |
ENGL 1002 - English Composition II |
3 |
General Education Social Science |
6 |
General Education Math |
6 |
General Education Communication Studies |
3 |
General Education Natural Science |
9 |
General Education Humanities |
9 |
General Education Fine Arts (fine arts, music, theatre) |
3 |
| Concentration Requirements (27 Credit Hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
AFST 2001: Introduction to Africana Studies |
3 |
AFST 3030: Black Musical Traditions |
3 |
AFST 3099: Selected Topics in Africana Studies |
3 |
RELG 4020: African Religion |
3 |
ENGL 3030: American Slave Narratives |
3 |
ENGL 4300: African American Cinema |
3 |
ENGL 4674: Major African-American Writers |
3 |
HIST 2061: African-American History |
3 |
PHIL 4020: Race in America |
3 |
Enrichment Block 1* |
12 |
Enrichment Block 2 |
12 |
Electives** |
30 |
Total Credits |
120 |
*Enrichment Blocks: Students may choose from available online Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, or Business Administration courses. Note that hours applied to enrichment blocks cannot include hours in any discipline included in the Area of Concentration.
** Courses taken to meet General Education requirements or Elective requirements cannot also be used to meet the requirements of the Area of Concentration or an Enrichment Block. The same course cannot be counted in two categories.
Careers
Career Opportunities
- High School Social Studies Teacher
- Social and Community Services Managers
- Community Organizer
- Activist
- Writer
- Editor
- Diversity Officer
- Public Administrator
- Qualitative Research Moderator
- Ethnic Studies Instructor
- Political Affairs Officer
