Students at Clark Atlanta University will be able to apply for a doctorate degree in humanities as soon as next semester.

The historically black university's accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), has approved the conversion of its Doctor of Arts degree in Humanities (D.A.H) to a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in Humanities. Upon graduation of the students presently enrolled in the D.A.H. program, the school will phase it out, offering only the Ph.D. in Humanities degree.

"This important programmatic transition aligns the D.A.H. program with [Clark Atlanta University's] other Ph.D. programs - 10 in all - and represents the university's address to the demands placed upon scholars, researchers and the professoriate in today's higher education arena," School President Carlton E. Brown said in a statement.

Since 1982, the university has offered the Doctor of Arts degree in Humanities with concentrations in African-American studies, Africana Women's Studies, English, History and Romance Languages.

Students currently enrolled in the 60-credit-hour program will be able to complete their degrees as initially planned, or may complete additional hours to qualify for the 72-credit-hour Ph.D. degree. A total of eight three-credit courses (four required and four electives) with a focus on research and scholarship has been added to the department's doctoral curriculum to satisfy the Ph.D. requirement.

 "The Ph.D. in Humanities program will embrace components of these departments while remaining a separate entity, with courses and degree requirements from the major areas of study common to all students who participate in the program," Interim Dean Danielle Gray-Singh said in a statement. "Our desire in offering this revised doctorate program is to engage an even broader field of graduate scholars."

According to SACSCOC, the conversion to the Ph.D. program did not require approval, since it does not represent a significant departure from the current program. It has been structured so that current faculty members may continue their work and will not be adversely affected by the change.