It’s 2009, folks, and hip hop has finally earned enough respect and legitimacy to find a rightful place among academia. McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul recently added a degree in hip-hop, the first university in the nation to do so. I know it seems strange to think that Dr. Dre could actually be a doctor, but hey, things are headed in that direction. The program offers students education in language, music history, recording technology, and the music business. Despite being new, the program has 14 students looking to be the first graduating class of hip-hop – but they're all dudes.

In an effort to expand the hip-hop base to women, McNally is offering a scholarship program called – wait for it – B-Girl Be Hip-Hop Diploma Scholarship. The program gives hip-hop a chance to spread from the East and West coasts, making way for the next queen of hip-hop to come from the Midwest. Check out the program and scholarship.