Adopt AP African American Studies

A rich and inspiring exploration of African American history and culture.

Voices from the Classroom

Hear from students, educators, and scholars about their experience with AP African American Studies.

Bring AP African American Studies to Your School

Launching in fall 2024, AP African American Studies will offer students a rich, evidence-based encounter with African American experiences.

In the course, students will:

  • Develop historical, literary, visual, and data analysis skills.
  • Engage with primary sources daily.
  • Access a digital collection from the Smithsonian.
A group of students convene around a table

Course Development Timeline

AP African American Studies Course Framework

The AP African American Studies Course Framework is organized into broad chronological themes that survey the breadth of this interdisciplinary field.

About the AP Exam and Project

AP African American Studies will have an exam and an Individual Student Project that will be assessed and scored together.

Educator and Student Perspectives

“This AP course introduces students to African American life and culture by deepening their understanding of the past and present through an array of disciplinary perspectives from the arts, history, and the social sciences.”

Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Harvard University

“It is a mainstream, rigorously vetted, academic approach to a vibrant field of study, one-half-century old in the American Academy.” 

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University

“I want to be able to talk about current issues involving Black history and African American Studies. I want to be able to have class discussions in class about matters that impact our daily lives and the world around us.” 

AP African American Studies pilot student

“The first thing about Black history we are taught in schools is about slavery, but that’s not where our history began—it’s not fair the first thing when you think of Black history is slavery. I’m glad this course can change the narrative of that.”

AP African American Studies pilot student

Resources

Article

Course Audit for AP African American Studies

Find resources to help you complete the course audit for AP African American Studies.

Stay Informed

AP Course Interest Form

If you would like to learn more about AP African American Studies, sign up for updates. 

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Contact Us

Contact the AP Program with questions about AP African American Studies. 

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