Northwestern University Fully Funded PhD in African American Studies
PhD @Northwestern University posted 2 weeks agoJob Description
Northwestern University offers a fully funded Ph.D. program in African American Studies through its Department of Black Studies. This program provides comprehensive financial support to admitted doctoral students, enabling them to focus on their academic and research pursuits.
Program Overview
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Degree: Ph.D. in African American Studies
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Institution: Northwestern University
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Department: Department of Black Studies
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Program Structure: Full-time, research-intensive, typically completed in 5–6 years
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Research Areas:
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Expressive Arts and Cultural Studies
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Histories
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Politics, Society, and Culture
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The program emphasizes interdisciplinary training, offering a comprehensive curriculum and opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research under the mentorship of nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Students engage with a diverse range of methodologies and theoretical frameworks to explore the experiences of people of African descent. The curriculum includes 18 courses over two years, comprising core courses, track-specific courses, disciplinary specialization, electives, and research methods. Students are also encouraged to participate in The Graduate School’s Interdisciplinary Cluster Initiative program.
Funding Package
All admitted Ph.D. students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
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Tuition and Fees: Full coverage for five years.
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Stipend: Competitive annual stipend of $46,356 for the 2025–26 academic year.
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Health Insurance: Fully subsidized health insurance coverage.
The funding package comprises two years of university fellowships (typically in the first and fifth years), three years of teaching or research assistantships (typically in years two through four), and summer support for five years. Fellowships and assistantships cover the full cost of tuition and provide a stipend.
Some Ph.D. students may be eligible for additional funding through the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Program (ICEOP), a state-funded, need-based program awarding fellowships that provide a stipend, with tuition scholarships provided by The Graduate School. To be eligible, minority students must be Illinois residents and intend to seek faculty positions in Illinois upon degree completion.
Admission Requirements
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Academic Background: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in African American Studies or a related field from an accredited institution. Applicants with majors in traditional disciplines should demonstrate significant interest in African American Studies through relevant coursework or research.
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Application Materials:
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Completed online application form through The Graduate School (TGS) of Northwestern University.
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Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Three letters of recommendation.
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Statement of purpose detailing research interests and career goals.
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Resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
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Writing sample (15–25 pages) demonstrating scholarly work relevant to the Black community.
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TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers.
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Please note that GRE scores are not required for admission to the Ph.D. program in African American Studies.
