American Studies Graduate Program

M.A. Degree Requirements

1. Core Courses - AMS 801, 802, 803, 804 (12 hours): The AMS graduate core is a three-semester sequence: first-year students should take 801 and 802 during the fall semester of their first year of graduate work, and 803 in the spring semester of their first year of graduate work. Students should take 804 in the fall semester of their second year of graduate work, and work on the master's thesis or a publishable article.
2. Elective Courses (12 hours)​
   1. Elective Methods (3 hours): One course selected by the student and faculty advisor that provides methodological support for the student's research. The methods elective should be taken in the first year in order to enable research in the following summer.
   2. Elective Topics (9 hours): Three courses constitute a coherent concentration, incuding historical depth in a defined area that prepares the student for either the master's thesis or publishable article. Courses should be selected in consultation with the faculty advisor, and must be numbered 500 or above. If a student intends to apply to continue for the Ph.D., courses numbered 700 or above are preferred.
3. Thesis Hours - AMS 899 (6 hours or to completion): After completing required courses, the student enrolls in AMS 899 and continues enrolling in thesis hours until their article or thesis is accepted by their committee. Advisors are free to set deadlines for progress on this work over and above those established by the Department and Graduate Studies. Students should discuss expectations and criteria for these grades with their advisors at the time of enrollment.
4. ​Research Project and Defense: Students complete a project of original research, resulting in a thesis or scholarly article. A committee of three faculty members evaluates the project, and the student provides an oral defense.

Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for additional information regarding the M.A. program's requirements.