Graduate Studies

Capital Advantage

The collaborative master’s in African Studies provides students with access to the best concentrated expertise on African Studies in Canada which can only be found in the nation’s capital. Ottawa provides students with access to:

• Government departments such as Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and Export Development Canada
• Non-government organizations working in fields such as international development, human rights, and the environment
• African diplomatic representatives
• Growing number of African-Canadian and diaspora community groups
• Africanist faculty at four universities (Carleton University, University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University, Université du Québec en Outaouais)
• National Archives of Canada and other rich holdings of archival materials

PhD Program

The Collaborative PhD with a Specialization in African Studies is designed for graduates of Masters programs in the humanities and the social sciences who, through interdisciplinary dialogue, wish to enrich their training in a particular discipline or area of study by developing expertise in African Studies.

The Collaborative PhD is currently available with six participating units. More units will be added to the collaborative PhD in African Studies in the coming months. Amongst the units expected to join the Collaborative PhD in African Studies specialization are  History, and The Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture (ICSLAC).

• Ph.D. Anthropology with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• Ph.D. Architecture with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• Ph.D. English with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• Ph.D. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• Ph.D. Political Science with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• Ph.D. Sociology with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies

Master’s Program

The Collaborative Master’s program with a Specialization in African Studies is specially designed for current Carleton master’s students in participating programs within the Faculties of Arts and Social Science, Public Affairs, and the Sprott School of Business who wish to enrich their training by developing expertise in the field of African Studies through interdisciplinary dialogue.

Unique features of our program:

• it is the only graduate-level program in African Studies in Canada;
• offers experiential learning opportunities in Africa or in organizations working on African issues in the Ottawa-Gatineau region;
• provides students with interdisciplinary training and skills in African Studies so they can further their careers in the public, private, or non-governmental sectors. Or to continue post-graduate or professional degrees.

Participating Programs

Students enrolled in the following programs are welcome to submit an application to participate in the Collaborative Master’s in African Studies.

Program Requirements

View program requirements.

For more information download our Master’s program brochure.

Courses

Visit the Courses page.

Class schedule Fall 2026- Winter 2027

Scholarships and Financial Awards

Visit our Graduate Awards page.

Admissions

Visit our Admissions page.

Graduate Professional Development

Visit the Graduate Professional Development website for help in establishing your career narrative, so that you can enter the job market with confidence.