Master of Arts in American Culture Studies
The 30-credit M.A. in American Culture Studies (AMCS) offers adult learners multiple perspectives on the cultures, values, and people of the United States.
Studies may span American literature, history, politics, religion, philosophy, art, music, and film. AMCS students also attend graduate seminars designed specifically for them. Recent AMCS courses include:
- American Drama
- American Social Character: Individualism and Community
- Early African-American Literature
- History of Education in the United States
- Presidential Elections, Past and Present
- Prehistory of North America
- Religion and American Culture
Courses normally are offered once a week in the late afternoon or evening. Students may start the program in the fall, spring or summer terms.
Follow the links at right for more information, or E-mail ucollege@artsci.wustl.edu.
Degree Requirements
Total Number of Credits Needed for Graduation: 30. Most courses are three credits. Degree candidates may transfer up to six credits of related graduate-level course work from another university with the approval of the program director and the dean of the Graduate School.
Minimum Grade Point Average in ACS Courses: 3.0 (or B)
Required Courses and Distribution Requirements:
- two courses from history, literature, or religion/philosophy;
- two courses from anthropology, political science, social thought and analysis, or economics;
- two courses from art history, music, or theater/film
- nine additional credits of course work to reflect a student’s particular interests.
Although no specific courses are required, Methods in American Culture Studies is highly recommended.
Students may select, as electives, graduate-level (400-500) courses in related subjects in the College of Arts and Sciences after satisfactorily completing at least two AMCS courses.
Required Final Project: A 3-credit final project, developed under the supervision of a Washington University faculty member, is required for the M.A. degree. The project is to be completed at the conclusion of a student’s course work. 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.
Thesis Option: Students in the ACS program may choose between a two-term, six-credit Master's Thesis or a one-term, 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 term researching their topic and beginning to write, and the second term writing and revising. The Master's Thesis should be approximately 60 pages. The one-term Directed Research Project should be more narrowly focused, and the final paper should be comparable to that produced in a graduate research seminar, approximately 30 pages in length. In both cases, the paper 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.
The final paper should be submitted together with an implementation plan in which the student explores how he or she will apply the issues addressed in that paper to activities in his or her professional life, or more generally to the world outside the classroom. For example, a teacher could develop a syllabus or course unit that would translate the subject of the paper to the classroom, a museum professional could propose a hypothetical exhibit, or a journalist could propose a series of articles. Rather than a lengthy project unto itself, the implementation plan will be a brief addition to the paper in which the student will consider the material in that paper in a contemporary social context.
Students are strongly recommended to write an academic paper. 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.
Each student must submit a Final Project Proposal Form, a detailed description of the project, the names of three faculty readers (the student's advisor and two additional members of the ACS faculty) and a Registration Form the semester before he or she plans to begin the final project. Proposals for the fall, spring, and summer semesters are due by the end of the preceding July, November, and April. Proposal Forms are available in the University College office. Each Proposal Form must be approved and signed by the student's faculty supervisor, the program coordinator and a University College graduate advisor, (314) 935-6700. Students writing a Master's Thesis should register for U89 502 "Directed Research" the first term, and U89 503 "Masters Thesis" the second term. Students doing the Directed Research Project should register for U89 502 "Directed Research." Registration forms must be signed by a University College graduate advisor.
Because each Master's Thesis and Directed Research project will be read by 3 faculty members and will be discussed in the Oral Examination, students should plan to have the final project completed no later than 3 weeks before the end of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to give a copy of the work to each reader. Students writing a Masters Thesis should see Dean Nancy Pope (314/935-6848) in the Graduate School for additional Masters Thesis guidelines.
Oral Examination:At the end of their program of study--including the final project--AMCS students must pass a one-hour oral examination conducted by three Washington University faculty members. Graduating students should contact the program coordinator early in their final semester of study to make plans for the oral exam.
The oral examination gives the student an opportunity to discuss the Master's Thesis or Directed Research Project, as well as the whole American Culture Studies program experience, with a small group of faculty members. It should be held only after all other required work, including the Final Project, has been completed. The exam is one hour long, and the examining committee consists of three faculty members, including the director of the Final Project, who should serve as chair. Students should identify the faculty committee members on the Final Project Proposal Form.
The oral examination must take place at least two weeks before the end of the semester in which the student wishes to graduate. At least four weeks before the end of the semester, the student should contact 314/935-6777 to arrange the time and place of the exam. In preparation for the exam, the student should write a 4-6 page essay describing his or her course of study in the ACS program, highlighting some of the ideas or themes the student has pursued, and relating the final project to his or her professional life or the world outside the classroom. It is the student's responsibility to provide each examiner with a copy of the final project and the essay at least 7 days before the scheduled exam date.
Graduation: The Master of Arts degree is conferred by the Washington University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Although degrees are awarded three times a year, commencement ceremonies are held only in May. Degree candidates must file an Intent to Graduate Form early in the semester in which the student expects to graduate.
Admission
Admission to the M.A. in American Culture Studies program is open on a selective basis to:
- Qualified adults in the St. Louis area who are at least two years beyond the baccalaureate degree.
- Recent college or university graduates are expected to 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' absence. These applicants must have 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.
Applicants must submit the following:
- a completed application 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;
- at least two academic or corporate letters of recommendation;
- a recent writing sample.
For more information please call 314/935-6700.
