Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
American Studies M.A.American Studies
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of American Studies, 104 Scott Hall, 72 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-4190; fax: 612-624-3858)
Email:
amstdy@umn.edu
Website: http://americanstudies.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Note: The master's degree in American studies is not designed as a terminal degree; therefore, students are not admitted directly to the MA program. Students may apply for graduate study at the PhD level only. A PhD student may elect to pursue the MA. All PhD coursework is applicable. Current graduate students seeking to obtain the MA should review the information in the current graduate handbook on the website at http://americanstudies.umn.edu/grad/handbook.html.
American studies is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental program. The American studies graduate faculty consists of American studies core faculty members and graduate faculty members drawn from a wide number of departments. Students develop subfields (understood as a more specific focus of research and teaching) and also pursue broad training in analyzing the development of cultural and historical processes that shaped the nation and its diverse cultures, as well as analyzing contemporary practices.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
An undergraduate major in a field related to American studies or other preparation acceptable to the Admissions Committee for American studies is required.
Special Application Requirements:
American studies admits for graduate study at the PhD level only. PhD students may obtain a MA during the course of their studies; however no students are admitted for a terminal MA. Students entering the PhD program must hold at least a bachelor's level degree from a recognized institution of higher education. The deadline for application to the Department of American Studies is December 1 of the year prior to intended entry. Refer to the department website for application procedures and additional information.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
21
major credits,
0
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is written and oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
30
major credits and
0
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
Language Requirement: Reading knowledge of one foreign language
A minimum GPA of 3.50
is required for students to remain in good standing.
The master's degree is not designed as a terminal degree; therefore, students are not admitted directly to the MA program. A PhD student may elect to pursue the MA. All PhD coursework is applicable. Current graduate students seeking to obtain the MA should review the information in the current Graduate Handbook on the program website at http://americanstudies.umn.edu/grad/handbook.html.
All courses are selected in consultation with the student's advisor and the director of Graduate Studies.
"Major" courses are defined as any courses that American Studies deems appropriate to the student's area of study, due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program.
Core Areas
Research Seminars
6 credits (2 courses) worth of research seminars offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area. Requires director of Graduate Studies approval.
Comparative Culture
3 credits (1 course) in a course on comparative cultures, covering international or non-U.S. subjects offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area.
Plans A & B
Students are required to specify a field of concentration. The courses required to fulfill these concentrations are to be selected between the student and the advisor, and approved by the director of Graduate Studies.
Plan A
Field of Concentration
Concentration Area Courses
3 credits (one course) in student’s field of concentration offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area.
Cultural Pluralism Course
3 credits (one course) in student's field of concentration, focused on cultural pluralism within the United States offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area.
Thesis Credits
Take exactly 10 credit(s) from the following:
·
AMST 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
This plan requires 3 papers in lieu of an MA thesis.
Concentration Area Courses
12 credits (4 courses) in student's field of concentration offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area.
Cultural Pluralism Course
3 credits (one course) in student’s field of concentration, focused on cultural pluralism within the United States offered by the Department of American Studies or another department related to research area.
|
|
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |