American Culture Studies

The American Culture Studies program at Washington University in St. Louis offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the diverse cultural, social, historical, and political aspects of American life. Designed to foster critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analytical skills, this program provides an in-depth understanding of the complex narratives that shape the United States. Students engaged in American Culture Studies have the opportunity to examine a wide array of topics, including literature, film, media, ethnicity, race, gender, political movements, popular culture, and regional differences across the country. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from history, sociology, anthropology, literature, and the arts to provide a nuanced perspective on American society. Through rigorous coursework, students analyze both historical developments and contemporary issues, preparing them for diverse career paths in fields such as education, public policy, journalism, arts and media, nonprofit organizations, and academia. The program also encourages experiential learning through internships, research projects, and study abroad opportunities, enabling students to gain practical experience and a broader global perspective. Faculty members are distinguished scholars dedicated to mentoring students and fostering an engaging learning environment. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, the program recognizes the multiplicity of American identities and experiences, promoting critical dialogue and understanding. Graduates of American Culture Studies are equipped with the intellectual tools necessary to analyze cultural phenomena and contribute to discussions on American identity, history, and culture. Overall, the program aims to produce well-rounded, culturally literate individuals ready to engage thoughtfully with the complexities of American society in a global context.

The Master of Arts degree is structured to support both wide, multi-disciplinary inquiry through challenging coursework with scholarly concentration around an original research question. Candidates must complete 30 credit hours that meet program distribution requirements in order to graduate. While not required, candidates are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least one course with a field work component, to broaden understanding of the social and geographic dimensions of American cultural topics. Most courses in the program are three credits, but topical 1.5 credit courses are offered occasionally.

Credit Transfer 
A maximum of 6 credits of related and comparable graduate-level course work may be transferred from another university or from a related graduate program at Washington University with the approval of the program director. The program will not transfer credits from any college or university that were used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. Transfer credit may be granted only for authorized courses for which the student received a grade of B or higher.

Required Courses and Distribution Requirements

• Humanities (6 hours): Literature, history, religion or philosophy.
• Social Sciences (6 hours): Anthropology, education, economics or political science.
• Arts (6 hours): Architecture, music, art history or theater/film.
• Electives (9 hours): Any courses in American Culture Studies or substitutions approved by the advisor.

The program strongly recommends that students take Introduction to American Culture Studies. This course will be counted as an elective, and is offered on a biennial basis. At least five courses counted toward the degree must be home-based courses in American Culture Studies.

The category of a particular course is determined by the discipline that is most heavily weighted in the class and/or by the nature of the core questions around which the course revolves. The distribution of each home-based course will be noted in its description. Students work with their academic advisor to determine where a course fits in the distribution.

The minimum grade point average required for graduation is 3.0 (or B).

Final Project or Thesis

All candidates for the master’s degree in American Culture Studies are required to complete a final written project. Normally completed during the final semester of the program (and in some cases the final year), the project entails substantial research and analysis on a topic determined by the student in consultation with the program coordinator. Candidates should consult their advisor early in their studies to begin developing questions that might lead to a successful final project or thesis.

The project is completed under the primary supervision of a faculty advisor, along with a faculty committee, and it is evaluated by this committee in the form of an oral examination at the conclusion of the student’s program.

There are two options for the final written project: 1) Directed Research Project (DRP), the minimum requirement for all students; and 2) Master’s Thesis, available to exceptionally strong students authorized by the program coordinator. American Culture Studies students are required to submit a brief narrative essay (4-6 pages) with the final written project, whether it is a Directed Research Project or a Master’s Thesis. Students should consult with the AMCS coordinator before and after the DRP or thesis are undertaken; the set of questions for the narrative essay will be decided then.

Directed Research Project 
A three-credit Directed Research Project (DRP), developed under the supervision of a Washington University faculty member, is one of the two options for completion of the M.A. degree. The project is to be completed at the conclusion of a student's course work, normally during the final semester. This project presents an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest. The project also provides an opportunity for students to work closely with a member of the ACS faculty. The project may be a subject first identified during a course or one that has emerged over time in the program. The DRP, approximately 40 pages, should be comparable to a research paper produced in a graduate research seminar, and should reflect a substantive engagement with relevant issues, questions, and scholarship.

However, students may also apply to receive credit for other projects, such as museum exhibits, courses, and creative writing projects. If the nontraditional project is approved, the student should submit all relevant materials and a brief paper (4-6 pages) discussing the experience of working on the project, and its importance and objectives.

Master's Thesis Option 
Students with exceptionally strong academic records and writing skills may be authorized by the American Culture Studies program coordinator to pursue a two-semester, six-credit Master’s Thesis rather than the three-credit Directed Research Project. The difference between the Master's Thesis and the Directed Research Project is primarily one of scope. Students who undertake the Master's Thesis will spend the first semester researching their topic and beginning to write, and the second semester writing and revising. The Master's Thesis in American Culture Studies should be approximately 75 pages, and like the three-credit DRP must reflect a substantive engagement with relevant issues, questions, and scholarship. The student will develop this work in consultation with a faculty advisor responsible for helping the student define the project's scope and objectives and identify useful sources. Students who are approved for this thesis must meet Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Master's Thesis guidelines.

Advisor and Committee 
All candidates for the master’s degree in American Culture Studies complete the final project (DRP or Master’s Thesis) under the supervision of a faculty advisor and committee. The program coordinator will assist the student in selecting a faculty advisor and two other faculty readers for a thesis or a faculty advisor and one other faculty member for the DRP. The advisor or “director” works closely with the student at all stages of the project. The committee, in addition to the advisor reads the final paper and participates in the student’s oral examination. DRP advisors and committee members should be teaching faculty with the relevant graduate program. Master’s Thesis advisors and committee members should be tenured or tenure-track faculty at Washington University. Students select the appropriate advisor and committee members in consultation with the program director and University College.

Oral Defense 
American Culture Studies students must pass an Oral Defense at the end of their program of study. The exam is one hour long, and the examining committee consists of the final project director and committee. The oral defense gives the student an opportunity to discuss the directed research project or master's thesis, as well as the entire American Culture Studies program experience. Please consult the University College online calendar for specific deadlines for the oral defense. Usually the defense must be completed by the beginning of September for summer graduates, the beginning of January for fall graduates, and late April or early May for spring graduates. Please note that these dates conform to deadlines for all graduate programs and are not flexible.

Procedures and Timeline 
All candidates for the master’s degree in American Culture Studies are required to complete the Final Project Proposal Form for M.A. Programs. All students authorized to pursue the Master’s Thesis also must complete the Title, Scope, and Procedure Form.

Planning 
You should begin planning for your Directed Research Project the semester prior to your final semester of study. If you have authorization to pursue a Thesis, begin planning two semesters prior to your final semester of study. The Title, Scope and Procedure Form must be completed and returned to University College at least six months before the month in which the degree is expected to be conferred (August, December, or May). University College will forward approved Title, Scope & Procedure forms to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Registration 
The Final Project Proposal Form must be completed with all required signatures for registration. Registration follows the normal academic schedule. Refer to the current course schedule for registration deadlines. Submit your Final Project Proposal Form to the Administrative Assistant for Academic Programs, University College, January Hall, Room 100. This will serve as your registration form. The Oral Defense should be scheduled as soon as possible after you have registered. Candidates should consult with their advisor and committee on all matters before registering or scheduling an oral defense. The advisor will provide instructions for completing this phase.

Requirements

• Qualified adults in the St. Louis area who are at least two years beyond the baccalaureate degree;
• Recent college or university graduates who have a cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better;
• Applicants who are returning to formal academic study after a number of years with a strong undergraduate background in one of the disciplines represented in the American Culture Studies program, strong writing and analytical skills, and a clear understanding of their reasons for pursuing this degree.
• A completed Application for Graduate Admission form, including an essay of 300-400 words clearly describing their interest in and qualifications for the program
• A non-refundable $35 application fee
• Official transcripts of all previous college work (undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate); (University College can request the transcript(s) on your behalf, click here for the transcript release form)
• At least three letters of reference. Academic references are strongly encouraged. In any case, letters should speak to academic skills such as writing ability.
• A recent writing sample
• A personal interview with University College staff is recommended, and an interview may be requested by the Program Coordinator or Director of Admissions.

The American Culture Studies program at Washington University in St. Louis offers a range of financing options to support enrolled students throughout their academic journey. These include institutional scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships designed to make graduate education accessible and affordable. The university's Office of Financial Aid provides comprehensive information on available funding opportunities, including merit-based scholarships that recognize academic excellence, priority application deadlines for financial support, and need-based grants aimed at reducing the financial burden for qualified students.

Graduate students in the program are also encouraged to apply for teaching assistantships, which often provide a stipend along with tuition remission, offering both financial support and valuable teaching experience. Additionally, there are research assistantships available for students engaging in specific scholarly projects related to American Culture Studies, further enhancing their academic and professional development while receiving financial aid. The university promotes external funding opportunities as well; students can explore fellowships and grants from government agencies, private foundations, and cultural organizations dedicated to supporting studies in American culture and history.

Washington University in St. Louis also offers loan programs to eligible students to help cover remaining expenses after other scholarships and funding have been applied. The financial aid office provides advisement and assistance in navigating the application process for various sources of financial support, ensuring students are aware of all available options. For international students, special scholarships and funding programs are available, often requiring separate applications. The combination of these resources ensures that students in the American Culture Studies program can pursue their academic goals without undue financial hardship, fostering an educational environment that emphasizes both scholarly excellence and accessibility.

American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary program that explores the diverse cultural, historical, social, and artistic aspects of American life. The curriculum integrates coursework from various fields such as history, anthropology, literature, art history, and media studies to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of American culture. Through this program, students examine critical themes including race, ethnicity, gender, class, politics, and popular culture, analyzing how these elements shape American identity and societal institutions. The program emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and practical analysis, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, research skills, and cultural literacy. Opportunities for experiential learning include internships, community engagement projects, and access to a rich array of resources such as archives, museums, and media collections affiliated with the university. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, public history, media, non-profit organizations, government, or advanced study in graduate programs. The program also promotes an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages students to critically engage with contemporary issues facing America today. Faculty members are experts in fields such as American studies, history, literature, and cultural analysis, providing mentorship and support for undergraduate research projects and theses. Overall, American Culture Studies at Washington University aims to foster a nuanced understanding of American society's complexities through rigorous academic inquiry and engagement with real-world cultural phenomena.