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EnglishWhat Is the Graduate Certificate in Global Black Studies at WashU?
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The Graduate Certificate in Global Black Studies is an interdisciplinary credential offered by Washington University in St. Louis's Department of African & African American Studies (AFAS) to doctoral students who want rigorous training in the humanities and social sciences beyond their primary department. It is designed for PhD students already enrolled at WashU who want to add a structured, globally framed study of Black experiences to their existing research agenda—not for prospective students seeking a standalone degree or for master's or undergraduate students.
Who it is for
The certificate is explicitly aimed at doctoral students at Washington University. Its purpose is to let those students build interdisciplinary expertise that complements, rather than replaces, their home department's training. If you are a PhD candidate in history, English, sociology, anthropology, or another field and your work touches on Black life, culture, or politics across regions, this is the audience the program is built for.
If you are not yet a WashU doctoral student, the certificate is not an entry point to the university—it is an add-on for students already in a doctoral program.
What it involves
According to the department, the certificate provides:
- Interdisciplinary training in the humanities and social sciences, drawn from beyond the student's primary department.
- A focus on Black experiences across the globe, rather than a single national or regional frame.
- Coursework structured to meet the certificate's requirements.
- Membership in a community of scholars exploring global Black studies—a cohort dimension, not just a set of courses.
The department frames the certificate as a way to "broaden your scholarship," which signals that the intended outcome is a stronger, more comparative research profile rather than a separate professional credential.
Why the global framing matters
The "Global" in the title is the distinguishing feature. Much of the department's public work—including its James Baldwin Review, which won the Council of Editors of Learned Journals' Best Special Issue Award for 2024–2025—engages Black thought and culture across national boundaries. The certificate reflects that orientation: students are trained to situate Black experiences in transnational and comparative contexts, which is useful if your dissertation or future research crosses regions (for example, comparing Black communities in the U.S. and the Caribbean, or tracing diaspora networks).
How to decide whether it fits
Use these conditions to judge fit:
| If your situation is… | The certificate is… |
|---|---|
| You are a WashU doctoral student whose research engages Black experiences across regions | A strong complement to your primary program |
| You want interdisciplinary methods from outside your home department | Directly aligned with the program's design |
| You want a standalone graduate degree or a route into doctoral study | Not the right fit—it is a certificate for enrolled PhD students |
| You are a master's or undergraduate student | Not the stated audience |
How to apply
The department directs interested students to its "Apply Now: Graduate Certificate in Global Black Studies" page, which is the authoritative source for requirements, deadlines, and the application process. Because eligibility, coursework counts, and timelines can change, check that page and confirm details with the AFAS department before planning your course sequence. The key first step is confirming with your home department that the certificate's coursework can fit within your doctoral program's requirements.