PhD in African-American/Black Studies (PhD)

At Cornell University, tuition is 29,500 USD per year.

Graduate education is designed to accommodate individual student interests and objectives. Students work with a special committee selected from the graduate faculty to design their program of study. This committee system replaces uniform course requirements and departmental examinations, encouraging flexibility and student initiative.

Study areas include Seminar in Africana Studies I: Historical, Political and Social Analysis, Seminar in Africana Studies II: Cultural, Literary and Visual Analysis, Topics class in Africana History or Theory, A supporting methods course, Workshop on Dissertation Proposal Development.

For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.