American Studies

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 6.77 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 23.3 k / Year(s) Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
251–300 place StudyQA ranking:2952 Duration:4 years

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American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that awards BA, MA,and PhD degrees. The program takes a hemispheric approach to the study of the Americas, examining local cultures and regions within their larger contexts of Americas. Building on our traditional strengths in American Indian studies, critical race theory, class analysis, and community engagement, we encourage work on history, politics, visual cultures, literary and oral cultures, practices, religions, kinship systems and economics.

Reclaiming the repressed voices of marginalized peoples in the Americas has been a central mission of our program since the 1960s. The American Studies program coordinates one of the strongest American Indian studies programs in the United States.

We seek students who wish to pursue a program centering on the multidisciplinary study of the Americas. We also welcome international students who seek to understand the cultural, historical, and natural complexity of the United States.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

  • Broad thematic periodization and chronology (from the perspectives of identity; oppression and resistance; and democracy and social justice) of the socio-economic, political, and cultural history of the Native American peoples in the Americas, and their role in the history of the Americas up to the present.
  • The role of Native American peoples in the evolution of U.S. constitutional democracy through their struggles for sovereignty.
  • Major descriptive and analytical themes in the current socio-economic, political, and cultural circumstances of the Native American peoples in the Americas (including their relations with other racial minorities).
  • Broad thematic periodization and chronology (from the perspectives of identity; oppression and resistance; and democracy and social justice) of the socio-economic, political, and cultural history of the African, Asian and Latina/o diasporas in the Americas, and their role in the history of the Americas up to the present.
  • Major descriptive and analytical themes in the current socio-economic, political, and cultural circumstances of the African, Asian and Latina/o diasporas in the Americas (including their relations with other racial minorities).
  • The major literary and audiovisual texts — both fiction and non-fiction — that document aspects of past and/or present socio-economic, political, and cultural circumstances of Native American peoples and the African, Asian, and Latina/o diasporas in the Americas.
  • Major descriptive and analytical themes in the historical role of Native American women and the women of the African, Asian and Latina/o diasporas in the Americas, and in their current socio-economic, political and cultural circumstances.
  • Major descriptive and analytical themes in the historical evolution of the relationship between human beings and the natural environment in the Americas, from the pre-Columbian era to the present.

Admission to UB is highly competitive. For the 2016 incoming freshman class, UB reported an average ACT score of 24-30 and an average SAT (CR+M) score of 1100-1300. 90 percent of admitted students are in the top 50 percent of their class.

Admission to UB is based on a holistic review. We consider high school average, class rank, SAT (critical reading and math) or ACT scores, and strength of the high school academic record. A personal essay, recommendations, documented creative talent, demonstrated leadership, community service and special circumstances are also considered.

The following is not required for admission, but is suggested as adequate preparation for university-level coursework:

  • Four years of English (with a substantial writing component)
  • Four years of social studies
  • Three years of college-preparatory science
  • Three years of a second language
  • Three years of college-preparatory mathematics

UB requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (Internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) in order to be considered for admission. Students scoring between 70 and 78 or 523 and 547 on the TOEFL may be admitted to the university on the condition that they register for and successfully complete additional English courses in their first semester.

The University at Buffalo offers the most valuable merit scholarships in the SUNY system. In 2015-2016, we administered more than $330 million in scholarships and aid to our students.

Prospective freshmen must apply by Dec. 15 to be considered for merit scholarships. The University Honors College manages the Presidential Scholarship, which requires a separate application. Prospective transfer students must apply by Feb. 15 for merit scholarship consideration.

The University at Buffalo offers scholarships in varying amounts to qualified international freshmen. Scholarship awards vary from $2,000 up to 100% of tuition costs per academic year and are renewable for up to four years with good academic standing. The International Admissions scholarship may be combined with other UB scholarships.

  • Open to freshman (first-year) students who will be enrolled full-time
  • For fall semester applicants only (not spring, summer, or winter)
  • No separate application is required
  • Must submit a complete university application before April 15th to be considered
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