Saint Louis University's oldest academic unit offers degrees in more than 30 academic areas.
Saint Louis University’s M.A. program in American studies gives students a solid grounding in the origins, development, practices and theoretical framework of the field, as well as aiding them in the pursuit of independent research and academic writing. The M.A. is a stand-alone degree for work in arts and cultural institutions, libraries, museums, historical societies, public humanities, nonprofit agencies and other venues. Some students may also pursue SLU's M.A. in American studies as a prelude to further degrees, such as a professional M.A. or doctorate.
Saint Louis University's award-winning American studies faculty are trained specifically in the discipline. Most have earned their Ph.D.s in American studies; all have worked extensively in the field as scholars and teachers. Our time and effort as teaching faculty are focused on American studies students. At the same time, we enjoy productive and cordial relations with our colleagues in other departments who teach and conduct research in related fields, and students may take carefully selected courses in those departments, as students in other departments do in American studies.
SLU's faculty is especially strong in several areas, including transnational American studies; cultural studies and visual culture; African American literature, history and culture; U.S. intellectual history; urban cultural studies; race, ethnicity and gender theories and studies; and twentieth-century U.S. society and culture.
SLU's M.A. in American studies is a stand-alone degree for work in arts and cultural institutions, libraries, museums, historical societies, public humanities, nonprofit agencies and other venues. Some students may also pursue the M.A. in American studies as a prelude to further degrees, such as a professional M.A. or doctorate.
An undergraduate degree or equivalent in a humanities or social science area is required; additional prerequisite work may be required at the discretion of the department.
Standardized test scores are considered as well as GPA and TOEFL (if applicable).
All written materials are due by Dec. 15 for admission the following fall.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
All students who indicate a need for financial assistance and submit their complete application by Dec. 15 will be considered for financial support with admission.
All applications are reviewed by a faculty committee. Qualifying applicants will be contacted for a video interview. Follow the department link above for more information about our graduate program, funding and activities.
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Graduates will be able to
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
ASTD 5000 | Perspectives in American Studies | 3 |
ASTD 5xxx | Chosen from course listing below | 3 |
ASTD 5xxx | Chosen from course listing below | 3 |
Elective Courses | ||
Select five of the following: | 15 | |
African American Politics, Culture & Identity | ||
Frontiers & Borderlands: Contact & Conquest in the American Imagination | ||
Metropolitan America | ||
Practice of American Studies | ||
Graduate Internship | ||
Special Topics | ||
American Political Thought | ||
Visual Culture Theory | ||
Transnational America | ||
Visions of U.S. Empire | ||
Cold War Cultural Politics and the "American Century" | ||
Special Topics | ||
Options | ||
Select one of the following Options: | 6 | |
Thesis Option | ||
Thesis Research | ||
Portfolio Option | ||
Choose two additional courses from list of electives. | ||
Total Credits | 30 |
At the end of the second semester of coursework, students will take a three-hour qualifying exam to demonstrate their growing knowledge of the field. The exam consists of essay questions provided by American Studies course instructors. Students must answer two of the questions: one covering material from ASTD 5000 Perspectives in American Studies (3 cr) and the other chosen from another qualifying class taken that academic year.
After successful completion of the qualifying exam, students will pursue one of two capstone tracks: a portfolio paper or a thesis.
A portfolio paper is a 20 to 30 page article or literature review, typically a revised and expanded seminar paper meant to demonstrate the student's extensive knowledge of their field. It is developed in conjunction with a two-person faculty committee (a chair and one additional reader) over the summer following the first year of the M.A. program and during the second year of the M.A. program.
A thesis is a more developed project with an original argument, typically 60 to 80 pages in length, based in extensive primary and secondary research. It is developed in conjunction with a three-person faculty committee (a chair and two additional readers) over the summer following the first year of the M.A. program and during the second year of the M.A. program.
After the student's committee has approved the final version of the portfolio paper or thesis, there will be an oral examination before three faculty members. For the portfolio paper, this will be the two-person portfolio committee plus an additional faculty member. For the thesis, this will be the three-person thesis committee.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ASTD 5000 | Perspectives in American Studies (Required) | 3 |
Two additional American Studies grad seminars 1 | 6 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
2-3 American Studies grad seminars | 6-9 | |
Qualifying Exam 2,3 | ||
Credits | 6-9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ASTD 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
1-2 American Studies grad seminars | 6-9 | |
Credits | 9-12 | |
Spring | ||
ASTD 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
1-2 American Studies grad seminars | 3-6 | |
Complete Checklist for MA graduation | ||
Complete MA Thesis and Defense | ||
Credits | 6-9 | |
Total Credits | 30-39 |
1 | Over their coursework, students must take at least one 5000 level (reading) and one 6000 level (research) seminars. Up to two courses outside of the department may be substituted for ASTD seminars, with the approval of the advisor and Grad Coordinator. MA Thesis students should take 15-18 credits in their first year, and an additional 12-15 (for a total of 30) in their second year. Six credits in their second year must be ASTD 5990 Thesis Research (0-6 cr), or thesis credits. |
2 | Last week of classes or during Exam Week. |
3 | Thesis students must have an advisor and an approved topic by April of their second semester. |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ASTD 5000 | Perspectives in American Studies (Required) | 3 |
Two additional American Studies grad seminars 1 | 6 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
Two-Three American Studies grad seminars | 6-9 | |
Qualifying Exam 2 | ||
Credits | 6-9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Two-Three American Studies grad seminars | 6-9 | |
Identify an MA advisor and project 3 | ||
Credits | 6-9 | |
Spring | ||
Two additional American Studies grad seminars | 6-9 | |
Complete Checklist for MA graduation | ||
Complete MA Portfolio Paper and Defense | ||
Credits | 6-9 | |
Total Credits | 27-36 |
1 | Over their coursework, students must take at least one 5000 level (reading) and one 6000 level (research) seminars. Up to two courses outside of the department may be substituted for ASTD seminars, with the approval of the advisor and Grad Coordinator. MA Portfolio students should take 15-18 credits in their first year, and an additional 12-15 (for a total of 30) in their second year. |
2 | Last week of classes or during Exam Week. |
3 | Department deadlines for spring are announced each fall. |