American Studies Graduate Program

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

1. Course 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 a master's thesis or publishable article if they would like to earn an M.A. along the way to the Ph.D.
   2. Graduate Seminars (9 hours): 3 seminars numbered 700-level or higher.
   3. Research Skills Course (3 hours): 1 elective methods course selected by the student and faculty advisor to provide methodological support for the student's program of research. 
2. Comprehensive Examination: The student's preparation in three concentration fields culminates in an oral comprehensive examination. The student must first sit for a written examination to qualify for the oral. Once students have completed all required courses, they enroll in AMS 996: Examination Preparation while preparing for the comprehensive exam.
3. Dissertation and Defense: The dissertation must be an original work of research that advances the interdisciplinary field of American Studies. Upon rising to candidacy with a successful comprehensive examination, students enroll in AMS 999: Dissertation hours until they complete the dissertation and an oral defense.

Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for additional information regarding the Ph.D. program's requirements.