Degrees & Majors

The Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the interdisciplinary study of people of African descent, connecting with the community and promoting social justice, while offering a curriculum that reflects the highest aspirations of education in an evolving society. Our department’s research focus engages the experiences of Africans and African descendants in the U.S. and globally through the lenses of ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality and social structure. Our instruction and curriculum promotes critical thinking, research skills and proficiency in oral and written communication.

Graduate students who want to engage in the interdisciplinary study of Black people in the United States, Africa and in the African diaspora will work closely with our faculty in this program. Our faculty have expertise in the domestic and global study of race and Blackness in the traditional disciplines of African-American Studies, Anthropology, Art History, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Work and Public Health. There are few departments or programs that match our strengths in:

• Scholar-activism
• Diasporic studies in Black popular and mass culture
• Culturally relevant pedagogy
• Community empowerment
• Gender, sexuality and social relationships

While we have particular emphasis on Social Justice and Community Responsibility in the United States, we support and encourage the study and liberation of Black people everywhere in the world. African-American Studies offers a master’s degree with competitive funding, which includes a tuition waiver and moderate stipend.

Africana Studies is a growing discipline. An increasing number of employers are seeking to fill positions with people who possess a cultural and historical analysis of Black people in the U.S., the African diaspora, and around the globe. As a discipline that is interdisciplinary and diasporic, African American Studies specifically educates students in:

• Black political, cultural, philosophical and artistic thought and practice
• Black popular and mass culture
• Race in relation to the study of gender and sexuality
• Social justice through community engagement

This certificate program allows master’s and doctoral students in other disciplines to amplify the Africentric analysis in their own course of study. Some may simply want to explore a specific area reflected in their course of study. Others may wish to pursue employment for which a certificate in African American Studies is deemed an advantage.

What Is African-American Studies? African American Studies is the systematic study and exploration of people of African descent in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Africa. It is a critical examination, analysis and interpretation of the experiences, traditions and dynamics of people of African descent. Students are exposed to the historical, cultural, political, economic, social and psychological effects of people in the African-American community. Why Pursue African-American Studies? African-American Studies offers an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to the study of people of African descent through the lens of ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality and social structure. Through scholarly research, theoretical inquiry and policy analysis, African-American Studies is committed to the promotion of social justice, social responsibility and community engagement in order to reflect a positive social change. The curriculum promotes critical thinking, research analysis and proficiency in oral and written communication to prepare students for diverse professions in various career fields. On pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

What Is American Sign Language?

Perimeter College offers beginning- through intermediate-level classes in American Sign Language. Students on a guided pathway in American Sign Language can earn an associate of arts degree. American Sign Language is the third most studied world language in the United States and can be a valuable asset as a secondary skill for employment.

Why Study American Sign Language?

Learning a new language can expand a student’s thinking, perspective and opportunities. Perimeter College’s guided pathway in American Sign Language prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate programs in interpreting, education or social service. A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

What Is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human cultural and biological diversity across time. The discipline includes four sub-areas: socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and biological anthropology. Anthropology students are taught holistic and comparative approaches to the study of the human condition and develop a strong grasp of the causes and consequences of globalization. The Anthropology guided pathway provides the freshman and sophomore coursework required by most four-year institutions.

Why Study Anthropology?

Students of anthropology explore cultures around the world or throughout time. They examine artifacts of ancient people and study the human body to reveal clues to the past. A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

The certificate in ethnography program, the only program of its kind in metro Atlanta, provides specialized knowledge and skills training in ethnographic research, focusing on research design, data collection and analysis, communication of results for diverse audiences, and policy analysis and writing. For students who wish to pursue careers in academia, private business or the public sector, the certificate offers applied and marketable skills in culture- and people-focused knowledge production and communication. The program is also ideal for M.A. and Ph.D. students in such fields as sociology, community psychology, education, nursing, linguistics, communication, business and area studies who pursue qualitative research.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in anthropology provides rigorous training in anthropological theories, methods and skills. The program is dedicated to the investigation of a broad range of social, cultural, political-economic and biological issues, processes and problems pertaining to the human experience in its past and present dimensions. The Department of Anthropology program uses resources in metropolitan Atlanta to promote student learning, offering a concentration in Museum Anthropology and a graduate Certificate in Ethnography.

The applied behavior analysis program gives students the opportunity to work in a clinical and community environment to help people with disabilities. It teaches how to master basic behavioral-analytic skills, such as measurement, experimental design and various behavioral change components to help students become better therapists. Program highlights include collaborations with faculty members, opportunities for practicum internship placements and a cohort model that fosters lasting professional relationships. You will also learn client-centered responsibilities, such as problem identification, methods of intervention and implementation, management and supervision. This course also gives you important foundation knowledge, which includes the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional Disciplinary and Ethical Standards and Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts. Exam pass-rate data are not published for sequences with fewer than six first-time candidates in a single year or for sequences within their first four years of operation. To access current pass rates, current and potential students may visit BACB’s Verified Course Sequences page. The coursework and practicum courses completed for the master of science degree in applied behavior analysis have been approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. ® as meeting the coursework and experience requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination ®. Applicants will have to meet additional requirements to apply. There is a non-degree version of this program. Please view the admissions requirements below.   New for 2020 – we have a new initiative that hopes to recruit, train and support graduate students interested in graduating with an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis. The program is called Project Behavioral Early Education Scholars (BEES) and it can help provide financial support as you study for this degree. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

We are a multifaceted applied linguistics department that focuses on post-secondary/adult language learning, teaching and use. Our faculty specialize in a number of sub-disciplines, including second language (L2) acquisition, L2 writing, sociolinguistics, language assessment, corpus linguistics, educational technology and L2 teacher education.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Applied Linguistics is a response to societal needs resulting from the status of English as the language of international communication. This worldwide use of English in programs and institutions of higher education has created needs in two areas:

• Research on an assortment of interrelated topics, including language learning by adults who will use English for academic purposes, effective teaching of adult language learners and the nature of English as an academic language.
• Doctoral faculty who can teach in educational programs that prepare master’s level teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language.

Ph.D. students may focus on a range of topics. Research, for example, may be related to issues in second language writing, reading, listening or speaking; analysis of academic language; assessment; teacher cognition; classroom dynamics; sociolinguistics; or the role of culture in second language acquisition.

The undergraduate concentration in Art Education prepares kindergarten through 12^th grade art educators with expertise in the visual arts and the skills to plan and teach in a way that is responsive to all students and their communities. The program builds a community of collegial professionals who demonstrate disciplinary expertise, including art teaching skills with sound pedagogical strategies, an understanding of current scholarship and issues within the field and the ability to positively impact student learning. Special emphasis is placed on the teaching of diverse learners in urban and metropolitan settings. The program bridges the gap between theory and practice—helping students develop skills as an instructor and an artist. Art Education students benefit from the activities of the National Art Education Association, which provides a variety of early professional experiences for pre-service teachers, including the organization of exhibitions of art education student and alumni artwork, the sponsorship of fundraisers and service projects in the Atlanta area and travel to state and national conferences. The program also reflects a professional art school commitment to the mastery of art media. Students are required to take several courses in one art discipline to gain the depth needed for teaching and personal artistic development as well as a broad range of elective studio courses to master the diverse skills that will be needed as a classroom teacher. The student experience: Three of the four pre-student-teaching courses include on-site classroom observations.  The last semester of the program is spent student-teaching with master’s-level teachers in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Specific objectives for students completing the M.A.Ed. program include:

• Expanding their skills and understandings in studio art production and contemporary art concepts;
• Developing their pedagogical skills and strategies as master teachers;
• Empowering them to integrate theory and best practices in their classrooms;
• Fostering their critical thinking skills and life-long learning as members of a professional community;
• Developing their leadership and advocacy skills to have an impact on students, classrooms, communities, schools, districts and professional organizations.

The undergraduate Art History program approaches visual culture from an international perspective and features the history of the art of Africa, Europe, and North and South America. To prime students for a career in the 21st century, the school offers a full historical spectrum, engaging you in cross-disciplinary methods of analysis and evaluation. Study-abroad programs, internships and research assistantships offer additional opportunities for you to gain expertise in the field. The program prepares you for graduate work and professions in museums, galleries, non-profits, art consultancies and publishing. The program emphasizes the study of visual art in relation to the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created. Students learn interdisciplinary methods of analysis and develop research, writing, formal analysis and critical thinking skills. Coursework takes the form of lower-level surveys of Western and non-Western art, higher-level specialized lecture classes and Introduction to Art Historical Methodology. The Art History program offers a variety of classes on a rotating basis, including courses in Ancient Roman Art, Medieval Art, Early Modern (Renaissance) Art, 18^th and 19^th-Century European Art, Modern and Contemporary American and European Art, African Art and Contemporary African Art.

The Ernest G. Welch School of Arts & Design and The College of the Arts offer a dual undergraduate/graduate degree program in Art History. The program provides students with the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as short a period as five years. Acceptance into the dual-degree program does not constitute admission to the graduate-degree program. Admission to the graduate program occurs in the senior year and is contingent upon 1) earning a bachelor’s degree, 2) maintaining the required program grade-point average, 3) performing in the graduate-level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree program and 4) meeting the other admission requirements of the specific program.

The graduate Art History program in the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design emphasizes the study of visual art in relation to the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created. Students receive training in various time periods and geographical areas of art history, while also gaining depth of knowledge in a particular specialization. The M.A. is a two-year degree program with thesis and non-thesis tracks. Coursework takes the form of mixed-level lecture classes, graduate-only seminars, including Methodology and Historiography of Art, and electives in subjects outside art history. The program is open to students with undergraduate degrees in art history as well as those with degrees in other fields who have completed upper-level coursework in art history. It provides a foundation for individuals who wish to pursue careers in museums and galleries, as well as undertake doctoral studies. The graduate Art History program features established faculty with active publishing and research profiles. Students normally focus on one of the following areas: Early Modern (Renaissance) Art, Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century European Art, Modern and Contemporary American and European Art, or Contemporary African Art, and work closely with a faculty mentor when developing a thesis. Interested individuals are encouraged to make contact with the appropriate faculty member prior to applying. Highlights of the program include its urban setting, interface with local arts organizations and museums, the Art History Graduate Forum, an annual student-run visual culture symposium, assistantships and funding to present at conferences and symposia elsewhere. Many of the program’s diverse course offerings emphasize one or more of the following themes: gender, race, identity, the body and cities.