He received his Ph.D. in American history with an emphasis in African American History from the University of Kansas in 1994. His dissertation, "John Edward Bruce & The Value of Knowing the Past: Politician, Journalist, and Self-Trained Historian of the African Diaspora, 1856-1924," was directed by William M. Tuttle, Jr. Professor Crowder's areas of teaching specialization include late nineteenth and twentieth century African American history, Pan-African history, African America and the International Community, Native American slavery and the Black Indian Experience, intellectual, and cultural history.