Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
DEPARTMENT OF AFRICANA STUDIES
Major milestones are activities Africana Studies Major, B.A. students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Explore the Africana Studies Major, B.A.
Under the leadership of Wilton Flemon, Ph.D., Akbarali Thobhani, Ph.D., and celebrated activist-scholar Rachel B. Noel, MSU Denver’s Department of Africana Studies emerged in 1969, during the student protest movement that demanded the inclusion of Black Studies at US colleges and universities. To this day, we are the only Africana Studies department in the State of Colorado. Our graduates complete their studies with unmatched intellectual and professional skills that help them compete in public and private sectors and in their postgraduate studies.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills build through majoring in Africana Studies include:
- Global Learning: Participate in undergraduate research that centers Africa and the African Diaspora.
- Critical Thinking: Develop analytical skills to be an activist intellectual.
- Leadership: Actualize the aspirations for social justice – to become a visionary leader in pursuit of a just society.
Students graduating from Africana Studies find themselves as:
- Museum curator
- College professor/public school educator
- Medical professional
- Social worker
- Lawyer
- STEM professionals
According to U.S. Data (2021), African American and Black Studies average wage is $85,453.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Attend Orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your academic advisor to map out your course journey.
- Complete scholarship financial aid application.
- Visit the Writing Center and utilize its services.
- Speak with professor about opportunities within your department.
- Join a student organization and start getting connected on campus.
- Check out on-campus and career aligned jobs on Career Link.
- Begin to develop and explore a career pathway.
- Build your early experience resume.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Declare your major.
- Consider adding a minor or certificate in another field.
- Meet with an advisor to check your Degree Progress Report.
- Speak with a professor about research opportunities in your dept.
- Attend lectures and special events hosted by the department, including the annual Black Word Conference.
- Connect with the C2 Hub on professional mentoring and networking opportunities.
- Attend a career fair.
- Attend C2 hub career workshops and events.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Work with an advisor to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete your senior capstone.
- Apply to graduate.
- Participate in multicultural events around campus.
- Plan for national and/or international travel to Africa and other regions of the African Diaspora.
- Attend alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Seek out internship opportunities locally and statewide.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Map
Download the Africana Studies Major, B.A. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Page
Visit the Africana Studies Major, B.A. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Follow Us
Contact the Department of Africana Studies
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-0799
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Central Classroom
Room 304
Central Classroom Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map