Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

Speciality

Additional Curriculum Information

Students must complete one methods course for the degree, with academic advisor approval; AMS 502 cannot be used to meet this requirement. These courses can be drawn from a wide array of units across the various ASU campuses, but students should take advantage of the SST graduate methods courses. The academic unit sends lists of SST methods courses once per semester; students should consult with their faculty advisor or chairperson and get approval from the graduate chairperson in American studies to determine the best courses to take.

For electives or research, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Students choose 18 credit hours for the thesis option or 21 for the applied project option.

Additional information

Program description

Degree awarded: MA  American Studies 

ASU's MA program in American studies trains students in interdisciplinary approaches aimed at understanding the American experience in local and global contexts.

The array of disciplines spans the arts, humanities and social sciences, and faculty expertise covers a broad variety of ethnographic, historical, literary and media studies as well as interdisciplinary and community-based approaches. Given its geographical location in the American Southwest, ASU's American studies program values an exploration of diasporic and transnational influences in U.S. cultures and social and political history.

The American studies faculty have strengths and expertise in the areas of critical ethnic studies, Indigenous studies, gender studies, Black studies, immigration studies, justice studies, disability studies, queer studies, Latino studies, transborder studies, Asian American studies, cultural studies, environmental humanities and sports studies, allowing students to focus their education around these areas.

Students gain expertise from working in a community of scholars dedicated to addressing critical questions of what America means, what American studies uncovers and how to expand the boundaries of the new American conversation. Graduate students are immersed in conversations of how one develops, conducts and engages in research on the American experience in academia and beyond. Additionally, faculty and students explore the field of American studies as the interdisciplinary analysis of American culture from multiple critical perspectives within transnational dynamics and exchanges.

American studies graduates can bridge a strong theoretical foundation with applied research to equip them to enter national and international dialogues.

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

• Asian Pacific American Studies, BA

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program.