American Studies, PhD

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

PhD candidates are expected to possess the MA degree in American studies or its equivalent and should have a scholarly attainment of a high order and broad intellectual interests. In most instances, admission to the PhD program requires applicants to possess an MA degree. However, occasionally an applicant with a BA and exceptionally strong credentials may be admitted directly into the doctoral program.

Requirements

Students must complete 46 credit hours including:

3 or more AMST graduate seminars
AMST 650 - Field Mastery Credits: 3 or other graduate seminars, up to 9 credits
7 or more AMST graduate seminars or graduate allied electives in a department other than AMST with the approval of the Graduate Chair. (One 400-level course permitted toward fulfilling requirements.)

2 required core graduate seminars

AMST 600 - Approaches to American Studies Credits: 3
AMST 601 - Patterns of American Cultures Credits: 3

Note

In individual cases and at the discretion of the graduate chair, some non-core requirements may be waived.

Students must also complete:

A qualifying examination with written and oral components
An oral comprehensive examination administered by the dissertation committee

A dissertation of high quality and its successful oral defense

AMST 800 - Dissertation Research Credits: V (1)