1 GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING 9 May 2012 102 Kern Graduate ...

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F. Faculty Experience with Graduate Programs and Students
The African Studies program’s graduate faculty currently serve or have served as adviser or
committee member of graduate students at both the master’s and doctoral levels.
G. Costs
Students enrolled in the dual-title degree program are not expected to incur additional costs by
participating in the program. The Geography and African Studies advisers will assist the student
to select his/her courses in order to ensure that all degree requirements are satisfied in a timely
manner.
H. Funding Opportunities for Dual-Title Doctoral Students
Graduate funding for Ph. D. candidates in the dual-title doctoral degree program may be
provided by the primary program and/or the African Studies program. Students who are
supported by graduate assistantships or fellowships from the African Studies Program will teach
in roles and circumstances determined by the African Studies director.
Students will receive every available support from the African Studies graduate faculty to write
grants to support their field research and other academic endeavors. Students will also be given
every opportunity to participate in the efforts of the African Studies graduate faculty to secure
extramural funding. External funding by African Studies graduate faculty also may provide
additional graduate funding.
I. Projected Size of Program, Impact on Other Courses and Faculty Load
The proposed dual title doctoral program will exploit the existing demand for Africa-related
courses at Penn State by advertising its existence to the colleges and programs that now offer
isolated courses on Africa. It is expected that at its inception, the program is likely to have 2-5
students and to increase to a total of 15 students over a number of years. The main demand on
faculty will be the need for the program to offer the core and elective seminars frequently enough
to meet students’ graduation requirements, and to serve in dissertation committees. The former
can be accomplished by rotating a specific number of core graduate faculty from undergraduate
instruction (to be filled by fixed term instructors) to a graduate seminar once every other
semester, or as required. Faculty load will, therefore, not be unduly affected by the program.
Many of the program’s electives are also in existence and taught by faculty in allied programs.
By registering for these courses and the program’s own seminars, students would have declared
their interest in African Studies. The program’s growth will depend partially on attracting
students from these various seminars.
J. ACCREDITATION
No accrediting body or board and no licensing procedure is relevant.
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