Skip to main content
  1. Home

American Studies, MA

On this page:

Degree Requirements Admission Requirements Next Steps Career Opportunities Request Information
  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. American Studies

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No
What is America? What is the American experience? How do the answers to these questions vary depending on who is asked? Learn to think deeply and critically about these questions and about the role of the U.S. in matters near and far.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MA American Studies

The Master of Arts program in American studies trains students in interdisciplinary approaches aimed at understanding the American experience in local and global contexts.

The array of disciplines spans the arts, humanities and social sciences, and faculty expertise covers a wide variety of ethnographic, historical, literary and media studies as well as interdisciplinary and community-based approaches. Given its geographical location in the American Southwest, the program values an exploration of diasporic and transnational influences in U.S. cultures and social and political history.

The American studies faculty have strengths and expertise in the areas of critical ethnic studies, Indigenous studies, gender studies, Black studies, immigration studies, justice studies, disability studies, queer studies, Latino studies, transborder studies, Asian American studies, cultural studies, environmental humanities and sports studies, enabling students to focus their education around these areas.

Students gain expertise from working in a community of scholars dedicated to addressing critical questions of what America means, what American studies uncovers and how to expand the boundaries of the new American conversation. Graduate students are immersed in conversations about how one develops, conducts and engages in research on the American experience in academia and beyond. Additionally, faculty and students explore the field of American studies as the interdisciplinary analysis of American culture from multiple critical perspectives within transnational dynamics and exchanges.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (AMS 593)
  • 30 credit hours and a thesis

Required Core (3 credit hours)
AMS 502 American Studies: Theory and Method (3)

Other Requirement (3 credit hours)
Methods course (3)

Electives or Research (18 or 21 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
AMS 593 Applied Project (3) or
AMS 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students must complete one methods course for the degree, with academic advisor approval; AMS 502 cannot be used to meet this requirement. These courses can be drawn from a wide array of units across the various ASU campuses, but students should take advantage of the SST graduate methods courses. The academic unit sends lists of SST methods courses once per semester; students should consult with their faculty advisor or chairperson and get approval from the graduate chairperson in American studies to determine the best courses to take.

For electives or research, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Students choose 18 credit hours for the thesis option or 21 for the applied project option.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. statement of purpose
  4. writing sample
  5. curriculum vitae
  6. two letters of recommendation
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. This program requires a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 90 (taken in a testing center).

The writing sample may be an article, published or unpublished; a research paper; a seminar paper; or any other extended sample of expository skill. A minimum of 4,000 words is required. The document should not be password protected.

The statement of purpose must be about 500 words and should be addressed to the American Studies Graduate Studies Committee. It must explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, the area of study they wish to pursue, and why they want to pursue graduate study at ASU.

Two references are required. Applicants should contact the faculty or professional supervisors they intend to use for references before listing them on the application and inform the intended recommenders that they will receive an email from the ASU American studies program asking them to complete a questionnaire and provide comments on the applicant's suitability for graduate study. Applicants should confirm recommenders' email addresses before submitting them on the application. References from family members or relations are not recommended.


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BA - Asian Pacific American Studies

BA - Asian Pacific American Studies

Engage in the histories and experiences of one of the fastest growing ethnic communities in the U.S., and examine how those experiences reflect local and global processes affecting our society and communities. Develop valuable analytical and applied skills via community-focused research and engagement.

Website | Locations: TEMPE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.



Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs

Request information

Apply to a program

Apply now

Visit our campus

Schedule a visit

Application Deadlines

Fall

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
April 1st
Final
Session A/C
In Person
January 15th
Priority

Spring

Spring

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
December 1st
Final
Session A/C
In Person
September 15th
Priority


Career Opportunities

American studies graduates are able to bridge a strong theoretical foundation with applied research, making them well-equipped to enter national and international dialogues.

Graduates may go on to law school, graduate school or other professional degree programs. They find success in a number of areas in local and international contexts, including:

  • business
  • communications
  • education
  • government
  • journalism
  • law and medical fields
  • nonprofits
  • political consulting
  • professional writing
  • public engagement and community relations

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • SSTgraduate@asu.edu
  • 480/965-7682


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
ASU endorsed logo
The College Drupal distribution
Repeatedly ranked #1 for innovation, sustainability, and global impact
Maps and Locations Jobs Directory Contact ASU My ASU
Copyright and Trademark Accessibility Privacy Terms of Use Emergency COVID-19 Information