African Studies | Madison College

African Studies

Program Number: 908095CERT

Your Degree: Certificate

Estimated Time to Complete: 12 Credits | Finish in 1 semester

Delivery Method: 100% In Person, Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study: Education and Social Sciences

Estimated Program Cost: $2,586.32

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Program Overview
The African Studies Certificate will provide you with valuable knowledge about Africa and its diverse peoples and cultures.
Completing a sequence of courses on Africa and the Black Diaspora will challenge students to think critically about African and global Black literature, history, politics, sociology, anthropology, etc. Broaden your appreciation and knowledge of the diversity of peoples, identities, aesthetics, and cultural traditions that make up the mosaic of the African continent.
Benefits
Earn credits toward your University Transfer Associate Degree as well as for your future 4-year degree. The certificate includes courses across several disciplines, including English, history, journalism, anthropology, and sociology.
Use the certificate to highlight your commitment to strengthening connections with others across cultural and linguistic divides; your openness to consider diverse perspectives; and the capacity to explore your own limitations and beliefs.
Use the certificate as a first step towards other goals in your future, such as a higher proficiency level in cultural and global awareness, further study or work abroad, or even a university degree majoring in African Studies.
Transfer
Many of the courses included in the African Studies Certificate offer a direct one-to-one transfer to University of Wisconsin schools. Direct transferability varies according to major and college of choice. Check with your advisor and transfer school for verification of qualified courses. This certificate also serves as a gateway to many related majors, such as Social Work, History, English, Anthropology, and Sociology. Review our Transfer Opportunities for information on all Madison College transfer options.
Program Details
Students earning the African Studies Certificate can attend full or part time.
University Transfer classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
Madison - Truax
Madison - Goodman South Campus
For more information email Cherif Correa at ccorrea@madisoncollege.edu.
Program Courses

Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
Required Course
20-809-290
Introduction to African and Global Black Studies
This course will explore a wide range of topics related to the understanding of Africa and the global Black diaspora. It will include discussion of historical and cultural experiences on the continent and the experiences of African immigrants in Wisconsin and the USA. Students will develop critical thinking related to African history, literature, art, social and cultural issues, politics, economics, religion, and popular culture.
3 credits
Complete nine (9) credits from the listed courses:
(Notes: 20809269 only will count if taken 2023 or more recent as that is when the course started to include African-related content.)
20-801-214
African American Literature
African American Literature introduces students to the rich, complex, and varied literary traditions reflected in the works of African American writers. Studies developments and achievements in voice, genre, and style and explores issues of language, cultural identity, historical witness, and social and political experience. Individual sections may focus on a particular theme, genre, or period for emphasis.
3 credits
20-801-226
Introduction to African Literature
Introduction to African Literature focuses mainly on the literature of Africa from before colonization to the present. It introduces students to the rich, complex, and varied literary traditions reflected in the works of African writers. It studies developments and achievements in voice, genre, and style and explores issues of language, cultural identity, historical witness, and social and political experience. Individual sections will focus on a particular theme, genre, or period for emphasis.
3 credits
20-801-252
World Issues Journalism
World Issues Journalism students explore international journalism and its role in global themes such as environmental issues, public health, poverty, media freedom, gender inequality, religion, and conflict. At the same time, they develop essential skills in podcasting, blogging, news and profile writing, multimedia storytelling, and academic research and writing.
3 credits
20-803-224
Early African History
Early African History is an introduction to the civilizations of Africa from early man through the present that focuses on African society before western penetration, the basic nature of African institutions, the colonial experience of Africa and the development of Africa since independence in 1960.
3 credits
20-803-243
Modern Africa
The course covers the history of Africa from the post-WWII era to the contemporary period. The course examines major events and interactions in Africa and Africa’s relationship with the world. Course themes include, colonial experiences, independence movements, post-independence governments, globalization in Africa, and contemporary societies.
3 credits
20-809-246
African Politics
African Politics examines continental political development in an interdisciplinary context. Students summarize African history, analyze internal and external influences on African politics, and evaluate relationship among African states, societies, and interests.
3 credits
20-809-269
Energy, Environment and Society
The U.S. experience is better understood within the context of the history of energy production, distribution, and consumption. Our world’s future is also inextricably connected to our ability to equitably address the challenges we face with respect to energy. Analyses and solutions require an interdisciplinary and global approach. This course considers the physical, technical, economic, political, environmental, ethical and social contexts of the topic of energy, both nationally and globally.
3 credits
20-809-809
Honors - African Studies (2 credits)
Allows a qualified Honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires completion of an Honors Project Contract. Credits 2. May be taken more than once. Pre-requisite: 1) minimum of 12 credits at Madison College, a 3.5 or higher GPA, and a previous or concurrent course with Honors Instructor; or 2) High School GPA of 3.5 or higher, and permission of Honors Instructor.
2 credits
20-809-909
Honors - African Studies (3 credits)
Allows a qualified Honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires completion of an Honors Project Contract. Credits 3. May be taken more than once. Pre-requisite: 1) minimum of 12 credits at Madison College, a 3.5 or higher GPA, and a previous or concurrent course with Honors Instructor; or 2) High School GPA of 3.5 or higher, and permission of Honors Instructor.
3 credits
How to Apply
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026
Spring 2027
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027
Fall 2027
Application available on October 15, 2026
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Additional Notes
Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your African Studies career.
It's Free to Apply
Career Outcomes

The African Studies Certificate addresses six of the eight Madison College Core Abilities. Core abilities are identified by Madison College as the critical skills graduates gain during their studies and use as lifelong learners on the job, at home and in the community. The African Studies Certificate curriculum contributes to the following core abilities: communication, critical thinking, ethics, global and cultural perspectives, self-management, and social interaction.
After completing the African Studies Certificate at Madison Area Technical College, you will be knowledgeable in:
Cultural Awareness: Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to other cultures’ norms, practices, and actions while at the same time recognizing, acknowledging, and appreciating individual differences.
Intercultural Communications: Communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse people in intercultural teams and work groups.
International Travel: Exhibit preparedness/readiness for international travel, including the abilities to assess and respond to health and safety risks and adapt to unpredictable situations.
Global Citizenship: Recognize self as a part of global culture by demonstrating awareness of the interdependence of global systems, understanding how the United States may be perceived worldwide, solving problems with multiple perspectives and variables, and making globally responsible decisions.
Global Work Skills: Apply global perspectives to the workplace through the use of appropriate technology for international communication, the ability to collaborate with diverse co-workers, and the ability to adapt to variances between cultures in occupational processes, procedures and practices, and through recognizing the impact of the global economy on various occupations and professions.