American Studies at the University of Kansas is an interdisciplinary department whose faculty and students think critically about community, identity, and social justice in U.S. culture, politics, and society. We study the multiple and contested meanings of “American” both nationally and transnationally, and with attention to constructions of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, region, age, and sexuality. To prepare students to better understand, effectively argue, and constructively respond to social divisiveness and inequity, we must learn to turn history into questions, to critically engage and assess the veracity of sources and information, and to learn from, by, and about the many marginalized communities that make up our shared histories.
The Master of Arts in American Studies is a free-standing degree. Students admitted to the M.A. program may hold bachelor’s degrees in any field and will be considered for admission based on the merit of their application. Students nearing completion of the M.A. program may apply to the Ph.D. program through an in-department application process.
Our graduate students go on to varied and successful careers in a range of fields in addition to higher education, including politics, non-profits, archival and library sciences work, museum studies, and public education.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Admission to the M.A. in American Studies
The admissions process is rigorous and requires a competitive application to be successful. A complete application must include:
- A completed application form and non-refundable application fee submitted online to Graduate Studies.
- A copy or scan of official transcripts from each college and post-secondary institution you have attended.
- A statement of academic objectives describing your intellectual development, previous academic training, and areas of academic interest. The statement of academic objectives should make it clear why the student is pursuing graduate study in American Studies, and what kind of work they hope to prepare for through a rigorous, interdisciplinary program. The most effective statements often identify an existing intellectual conversation or problem to which the student wishes to contribute, and at least one faculty member with whom they may potentially work. The statement need not describe a developed research project, but ought to give a good idea of the kinds of questions, topics, and priorities that the student will pursue in building a research agenda. The quality of this statement is an especially important factor in the decisions of our admissions committee.
- A current résumé or curriculum vitae (C.V) summarizing your academic background and relevant work experience.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic abilities, potential, and preparation for graduate study.
- A sample of your written academic work. This should be a research paper or article of no more than 35 pages that represents your best work to date. Students who have completed a thesis may submit the introduction.
Please visit the American Studies website for additional information and current application deadlines.
M.A. Degree Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AMS 801 | Introduction to American Studies (offered every fall) | 3 |
| AMS 802 | Theorizing America (offered every fall) | 3 |
| AMS 803 | Research Methods in American Studies (offered every spring) | 3 |
| AMS 804 | Research Seminar (offered every fall) | 3 |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 30 |
M.A. Portfolio and Oral Examination
Students prepare and submit to their M.A. exam committee a portfolio, which includes a research article of publishable quality, research and teaching statements, and a reflection on the graduate experience to date. The article is an original piece of research, and it should be written and formatted for submission to a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal relevant to the topic and approach of the research. The article does not have to be accepted for publication as a requirement of graduation.
The student must complete an oral defense of their portfolio. A majority of the committee members must approve the defense with an assessment of Pass or Pass with Honors in order for the requirement to be met.
HANDBOOK
Further details can be found in the American Studies Graduate Student Handbook. Students are also encouraged to review Graduate Studies' policies related to master's programs for information about other requirements that may apply.
Students admitted to the M.A. program in American Studies at KU must petition the Department if they wish to continue for the Ph.D. after passing the M.A. oral examination. This requires an internal application process, including the submission of a research statement and letter of support from a KU American Studies faculty member. All admissions to the Ph.D. program are at the discretion of the American Studies Graduate Committee.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in primary area of study.
- Participate in an interdisciplinary scholarly community.
- Follow ethical guidelines for work in the discipline.
- Become effective teachers. The successful student will understand how to design learning experiences to maximize student learning and how to connect course design explicitly to desired outcomes. The student will develop a sense of teaching purpose informed by transformative pedagogies that problematize social reality and knowledge.
- Produce a valuable contribution to the field.
