About Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

Major in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

The Critical Race and Ethnic Studies major fosters the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Students develop a deep understanding of the particular historical, social, cultural, and political experiences of individual racialized groups within and beyond the United States, as well as the relations among them.

Students choose one of three tracks: they may focus on one social group, or compare two of these groups, or create a self-designed thematic approach.

Minor in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

The Critical Race and Ethnic Studies minor fosters the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity in an increasingly interconnected world. Students develop a deep understanding of the particular historical, social, cultural, and political experiences of individual racialized groups within and beyond the United States, as well as the relations among them.

What is Critical Race and Ethnic Studies?

Students majoring and minoring in CRES are prepared to enter the workforce as informed citizens in a diverse and challenging society.

The Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) degree program offer a major and minor that provides a strong liberal arts education for students considering admission to graduate or professional schools along with providing the basis for many career opportunities.

Hear from our illustrious alums and how a degree
in CRES helped to inform their future success and careers.

More on Careers

What Can I Do with a Major in CRES?

Anything! Critical Race and Ethnic Studies prepares students to thrive in a fast-paced, intercultural, interconnected global world in which most people change careers several times.

CRES enables students to see connections and opportunities between fields, to understand multiple perspectives, to excel in a variety of work environments, to model intercultural understanding, and to be engaged citizens.

Alumni are employed in:

  • advertising
  • education
  • government/public sector
  • law
  • media
  • museums
  • public history
  • social work
  • many other fields

Alumni have gone on to pursue professional degrees in:

  • law
  • journalism
  • museum studies and public history
  • library science
  • public policy

They have also taken graduate degrees in academic fields such as history and literature.

See also:

Faculty

Drawing outstanding faculty from academic areas across campus, CRES provides undergraduates an invaluable opportunity to engage in a multidisciplinary and supportive academic environment.

Current CRES faculty members include:

Brown, Tammy (Lead Departmental Advisor)

Amador, José

Cho, Yu-Fang

Coates, Rodney

Cohen, Jennifer

Garner, Sandra

Jayasena, Nalin

Sackefiyo, Naaborle

Support the Program

The Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Program fosters the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Students develop a deep understanding of the particular historical, social, cultural, and political experiences of individual racialized groups within and beyond the United States, as well as the relations among them.

It is only through the wonderful generosity of donors to the CRES Program that we can dream of success. Please take a few minutes and consider how valuable a resource this is to our students and help us continue these efforts with a gift.

There are several ways you can help us.

Unrestricted Gifts

These gifts allow us to apply your gift to the area of greatest need.

Designated Gifts

  • Speaker/Lecture Series related to current scholarship/research
  • Assistance to students who struggle to purchase textbooks for classes
  • Scholarships to our very best students
  • Enhancement of CRES documentary and film library
  • Travel grants for students and faculty to attend conferences
  • Student excursions to museums and sites of historical significance
  • Annual graduation banquet to celebrate the achievements of our students

Make a Gift