American Studies M.A. - Major Code 9855

(36 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The Master of Arts in American Studies is an interdisciplinary study of the American experience and culture. The program approaches American culture from many directions with a desire to view America as a whole rather than from the perspective of a single discipline. The program draws upon the expertise in a wide range of fields and programs, including:

• Anthropology
• Cherokee and Indigenous Studies
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• English
• Geography
• History
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Women’s and Gender Studies

The Master of Arts in American Studies consists of two (2) core courses in the scope and methods of American Studies. Students then work with a faculty committee to develop an individualized course of study in the following concentrations: American Cultural Studies, American History, or American Politics.

Graduates of the program find careers in a variety of areas such as education (high-school and community college level), government or civil service, museums, law, communication, and business.

Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes have been established for students earning an MA in American Studies:

1. Students will develop an interdisciplinary interpretive framework for studying the American experience, enabling the student to solve practical and theoretical problems.
2. Students will develop an understanding of the theoretical and methodological approaches used in American Studies and interdisciplinary scholarship.
3. Students will acquire an advanced knowledge of the major movements in the American experience.
4. Students will design and implement an interdisciplinary research project that contributes to the field of American Studies; or apply American Studies perspectives beyond the classroom and scholarly community through an internship.
5. Students will communicate research findings through clear, well-organized written and oral presentations.

Admission

Admission to the American Studies program requires:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. An approved Application for Graduate Admission.
3. One official transcript of all previous course work. The transcript must be sent directly from the school to the Graduate College Office.
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a scaled score in the upper three-fourths of the exam. Scores more than five years old will not be accepted.
5. A grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate course work attempted; or a 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work attempted.
6. A minimum of 18 undergraduate semester hours with course grades of “C” or better in subjects which focus predominantly on some aspect of the United States, or in subjects foundational to the study of the American experience. A list of specific NSU courses that may be counted to satisfy this requirement is available from the College of Liberal Arts.
7. A writing sample (recent research-based, minimum 5 pages in length) and a statement of purpose (1-2 pages, identifying the student’s reasons for pursuing graduate study).

Admission requirements must be met prior to the student’s first enrollment.

Advisement

An advisor is assigned by the Graduate College when the student is admitted to the program. The student should schedule an appointment with the advisor prior to first enrollment. The advisor counsels the student and assists in the selection of classes. The advisor and student will also select an advisory committee for continued advisement.

Graduate Advisory Committee

Upon admission to candidacy, the student’s program will be under the direction of the graduate committee. This committee shall consist of 2-3 graduate faculty members representing at least 2 disciplines in the American Studies program. The responsibilities of the committee are as follow:

1. To develop a plan of study with the student consistent with the student’s career interests;
2. To monitor the student’s progress in the program;
3. To evaluate the thesis, if the thesis option is chosen;
4. To monitor the public internship, if the public internship option is chosen;
5. To administer the comprehensive examination(s) required prior to graduation.

Plan of Study/Statement of Understanding

The plan of study (degree plan) will be prepared by the advisory committee in conference with the student. The degree plan is signed by the student, an advisor, and forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate College for approval. All courses approved for the student’s degree plan except those indicated, will focus predominately on some aspect of the American experience. Courses of a technical nature and those stressing methodology, administrative procedures, or development of occupational or professional skills do not fall within the scope of the program even if they deal exclusively with American topics.

The Statement of Understanding is reviewed and explained to the student when the degree plan is made and must be signed by the student and an advisor. It is sent with the signed degree plan to the Graduate College. After approval by the Dean of the Graduate College, copies of the Statement of Understanding and degree plan are sent to the advisor and student. Degree plans remain in effect throughout a student’s graduate program providing the student enrolls in at least three hours of course work for two of the three semesters (summer, fall, and spring) of each academic year until the degree is awarded.

Any changes in the student’s plan of study require written approval of an advisor and Dean of the Graduate College.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are eligible for admission to candidacy if they have:

1. Been fully admitted to the American Studies degree program;
2. Completed a minimum of 12 hours of graduate course work in courses approved for American Studies. Students must be admitted to candidacy prior to completing 18 credit hours;
3. Achieved a “B” average grade in all graduate course work completed prior to candidacy;
4. Been assigned an advisory committee consisting of the 2-3 graduate faculty members representing at least 2 disciplines in the American Studies program;
5. Filed with the Graduate College an approved plan of study and a signed Statement of Understanding.

Students must meet candidacy requirements within the first 18 hours of their program. After being admitted to candidacy they must complete a minimum of 18 hours toward the master’s degree in American Studies.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission to candidacy and the requirements listed in the Academic Information section, the candidate for the Master of Arts in American Studies degree must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Complete 36 semester hours of graduate credit applicable to the American Studies program;
2. Achieve a “B” average in all graduate course work attempted, with no grade below a “C” applicable to the degree;
3. Satisfactorily complete the comprehensive oral examination covering course work and thesis, if the thesis option was chosen;
4. Satisfactorily complete the written and oral examinations over all course work including the internship, if the public internship option was chosen.

Program of Study

The Master of Arts in American Studies degree consists of 36 semester hours of graduate study, six (6) of which are specified.  AMST 5003 Theory and Practice in American Studies and AMST 5833 American Studies in Perspective should be taken early in the student’s program. Students must choose a minimum of 3 credit hours from each concentration. Students may focus remaining hours in the concentration(s) of their choice. Students may petition the program director for permission to count courses not on the approved list.

The student who chooses the thesis option will be required to complete 30 hours of course work.  For the remaining 6 hours, the student will enroll in an appropriate number of thesis hours per semester until completed. Before enrolling in the thesis hours the student must have completed 21 hours of graduate course work toward the degree. Students who have selected the thesis option must pass an oral exam focusing on defense of the thesis but which may also involve discussion of course work. These examinations will be administered by the student’s graduate advisory committee and may include additional faculty members representing the various subjects in the student’s program. The student who chooses the public internship option will be required to complete 33 hours of course work. For the final 3 hours, they will enroll in American Studies 5993, in which they will complete a public internship. They will also be required to pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. These exams will cover all course work completed for the degree, including the internship. Before enrolling in the internship the student must have completed 21 hours of graduate course work toward the degree.

Program Checklist

1. Apply for admission to graduate college thirty days prior to first enrollment for graduate studies.
2. Receive advisor assignment when admitted.
3. Complete admission requirements to the American Studies program before first enrollment.
4. Interview with advisor prior to each enrollment.
5. Enroll for classes as specified in the Schedule of Classes.
6. Select advisory committee within the first 18 hours of graduate studies.
7. Complete American Studies 5003 and 5833 early in the program.
8. Develop and file an approved degree plan within the first 18 hours of graduate studies.
9. Meet candidacy within the first 18 hours of graduate study.
10. Complete additional six hours of graduate course work when applicable.
11. Request degree check prior to the semester of expected graduation.
12. Apply for degree at the beginning of the semester of final enrollment, except summer graduates should apply by March 1.
13. Complete thesis and present final copy to the advisory committee 60 days prior to the end of the semester; two approved copies must be presented to the Graduate College four weeks prior to the end of the semester.
14. Complete oral examination six weeks prior to the end of the regular semester.
15. Complete written examination eight weeks prior to the end of the regular semester for students not selecting the thesis option.
16. Receive notification of graduation ceremony two weeks prior to ceremony.