The African Studies curriculum at ALA offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of Africa's past and present, while fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the continent's future. In the first year, students engage in a core program that examines Africa through historical, economic, geographic, and political lenses. In the second year, students deepen their knowledge by selecting two courses that focus on specific disciplines, such as healthcare, social justice, and sustainable development, in order to analyze and develop solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing Africa today.

Through this program, students develop critical thinking skills and a commitment to the African continent, inspiring them to become agents of positive change. Participation in the African Studies program is a requirement for all students, and it prepares them to analyze and address contemporary challenges and opportunities in Africa.

In the first year, students are introduced to conceptual frameworks that challenge assumptions and introduce new ideas in both areas of study, skills that are elemental to successful leaders and entrepreneurs, values reinforcement, and personal growth through leadership coaching. The year culminates in the Original Idea for Development Incubator, where students bring to market ideas for change that align with their passions and skills.

In the second year, students work in teams of 5-7 to run a for-profit or non-profit venture on the ALA campus through the Student Enterprise Program. This program allows ALA's young leaders to put their first-year curriculum into practice by simulating real-life business scenarios. They report annually to boards of directors composed of working professionals and bring their budgets to an Investment Committee to execute a project that has a direct impact on the ALA community.

The Entrepreneurial Leadership department at ALA believes that leaders must be effective, courageous, and ethical in nature, giving it a net-positive bearing when in action. The concept contains two separate, but critically interwoven, ideas for developing ethical and effective leaders: leadership and entrepreneurial thinking. ALA believes that leaders who possess and master this dual ability will create long-lasting, positive change.

Writing & Rhetoric is based on the core premise that “writing is thinking”. Regardless of their career path, leaders need to be complex, creative, and reflective thinkers and writers. This course aims to sharpen students’ ability to read texts closely and critically. It equips students with the tools to interpret sophisticated ideas, identify premises and develop evidence to make compelling arguments of their own. With a distinct focus on the process of writing, students will learn the building blocks of effective argumentation, and learn to write with clarity, precision, and coherence.

Writing, articulation and effective communication of ideas are the key attributes of a 21st-century leader. The Writing & Rhetoric program immerses students in two years of intensive writing during which they are encouraged to ‘find’ their voice on issues and to master the various genres of writing. Our curriculum is uniquely Pan-African, exposing our students to past and present voices, as we look to develop the future voices of the continent. We seek to empower young leaders to communicate their ideas, advocate for change, and use their voices to make an impact on the world.