Master of Arts in American Studies

The Masters of American Studies at Kennesaw State University is dedicated to crossing boundaries: disciplinary, social, cultural, and institutional. Through these emphases, the program aims to help you develop knowledge about American society and culture that is critical, contextual, and informed by a high degree of personal awareness. The American Studies degree is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, focusing on studying American cultures as they exist locally, regionally, nationally, and transnationally.

With grounding in the content knowledge and methodologies from a range of fields, you will be actively encouraged to pursue an understanding and critical analysis of the history, literature, arts, politics, language, philosophy, and social practices of the multitude of American communities.

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KSU american studies students in the classroom

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Face-to-Face, Online or Hybrid

Number of Credits Hours: 36 Total Hours

Entry Terms:  Fall, Spring, Summer

Time to Complete: Two-year Program
 
Application Deadlines:
  • Fall, July 1st
  • Spring, November 1st
  • Summer, April 1st 
Curriculum  Apply Now

Admissions Requirements

  • Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.

  • Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended.  Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.

  • Grade Point Average (GPA) - The program minimum is 2.75 for all undergraduate courses from the degree-granting institution. We expect the incoming class will average above 3.0.  The minimum GPA for Graduate Assistantship eligibility is 3.0.

  • Letter of Application (Can be uploaded into the online application) - Should be in the form of a narrative that describes your educational and/or professional background, your future goals, and how admission into the American Studies M.A. program at Kennesaw State University will help you accomplish these goals. The letter should be specific to the program and should be 2-3 double-spaced pages in length.
  • Writing Sample (Can be uploaded into the online application) - The writing sample should demonstrate the writing skills you have developed as a student and/or professional. The sample should be relevant to the field of American Studies broadly defined, and it should be refined and revised to fit within 5-7 double-spaced pages. This can be a paper you submitted for a previous class; however, it should be consistent with the program content and student goals.

  • Resume (Optional) (Can be uploaded into the online application) - Not to exceed 6 pages.

  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation (Can be sent electronically through the online application) - At least one letter should be from a faculty member at the last school you attended (unless you have been out of school for more than five years). Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work. 

    *Effective Fall 2020, the GRE will no longer be required for admission into the American Studies M.A. program.
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American Studies Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

  • Top 20

    Schools in the U.S. that students want to attend reported by U.S. News and World Report

  • 7,100+

    Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020

  • Four Clusters – As part of your course of study, you will have the opportunity to choose from four areas of study, including historical studies, place and identity, cultural production, and transnational.
  • Curriculum Choices – You will have the opportunity to choose from study abroad, internship, or an applied research project as a part of your curriculum.

What can you do with an American Studies degree?

Hiring organizations consistently seek candidates who possess a collection of “soft skills” acquired through your classes, extracurricular involvement, and experience applicable to any job position. The skills you will learn from a diverse curriculum help make you highly marketable and valuable to potential employers.

Below are potential job titles for graduates from the American Studies degree program at KSU:

  • Archivist
  • Librarian
  • FBI/CIA Agent
  • Law Enforcement
  • Biographer
  • Lawyer
  • Lobbyist
  • Journalist
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Freelance Writer

American Studies Salary and Career Information

Related Degrees & Programs

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Kennesaw State University
Interdisciplinary Studies Department
385 Cobb Ave., #2208
Horace W. Sturgis Library (401)
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
 
Phone: (470) 578-2431

 

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