Admissions
Applying to AADS for Graduate Studies
AADS currently offers an on-campus Ph.D. degree. Although many of our Ph.D. students will earn their master's degree along the way, we do not offer a stand-alone master's degree.
The AADS Admissions Committee is dedicated to recruiting and admitting exceptional students committed to the study of Black life. The Department is particularly strong in the fields of critical race theory, Black queer theory, Black political theory, Black arts and performance studies, Black Diaspora history and anthropology, and Black feminisms. We are interested in working with students who want to critically engage these areas.
The AADS Admissions Committee considers the applicant's statement of academic purpose, an academic writing sample, three letters of recommendation from professors who can attest to the applicant's scholarly potential, grade point average, resume and official GRE scores. The Committee's approach to admissions is holistic and considers the totality of the application; therefore no one element of the application will guarantee admission or denial to the program.
- Application Deadline
Students are admitted once per year into the fall term. Applications are accepted between September 1st and December 1st. Late applications are not accepted.
- Statement of Academic Purpose
Describe your intellectual interests, goals, research agenda, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree in African and African Diaspora Studies. It is important to clearly identify AADS faculty members with whom you would like to work and why.
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- Writing Sample
The required writing sample is a piece of analytical writing, no longer than 30 pages. The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant's analytical writing skills and an ability to construct rigorous and original arguments. If applicants do not have an academic background in black studies, they should use both the statement of purpose and writing sample to demonstrate knowledge of black studies scholarship.
- Application Instructions for Current UT Students
Students who are currently enrolled in other UT graduate programs are required to submit the same documents requested from external candidates. See the 7-step process, above. All required documents, including letters of recommendation from UT faculty, must be submitted by the deadline. Complete the appropriate online Graduate School Application.
Completed applications that are received on or before the deadline will be reviewed by the AADS Graduate Admissions Committee. Upon a thorough review of an applicant's qualifications, the Graduate Advisor and AADS Admissions Committee will forward their recommendation for admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions, the Vice Provost and the Dean of Graduate Studies for final approval.
The AADS Graduate Admissions Committee may deny admission to students who have met the prescribed requirements when there are more qualified applicants that can adequately be instructed by the faculty or accommodated in the facilities.
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- Funding
There is no separate application for funding. All applicants are automatically considered for funding during the admissions process. Most admitted students are awarded generous funding packages, and in many cases they are offered full funding (i.e. tuition assistance, health care insurance, and a living stipend).
- Learn more
Review information about the program HERE.
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