American Studies (Graduate Certificate)
Diversity, Education, Ethnicity, Health, Race, Social Studies, government, law, marketing, politics
If you're interested in the different experiences that make up the United States, exploring the global impact of the U.S. and how diverse communities work together to achieve social change, this program is for you.
The graduate certificate program in American studies consists of interdisciplinary inquiries into the diverse cultures, global impact, social systems, gendered experiences, socioeconomic realities and political thought of the United States. The field of American studies has evolved to include an understanding of diversity in U.S. society; how the U.S. national community represents and imagines itself; how this resonates globally; and the role of social movements seeking to achieve political, legal and economic change.
The program trains students in:
- applied research methods, particularly those that involve community involvement and engagement
- critical methodologies, including how alternative voices are key in research, politics and policy, and social justice work
- explorations of racial literacy, gender, sexuality and socioeconomic experiences grounded in historical contexts that facilitate understanding of contemporary U.S. populations
- the history and trajectory of the field of American studies
- the use of storytelling and narratives to represent diverse communities and facilitate broader understanding across groups
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
15 credit hours
Required Core (3 credit hours) Methods (3 credit hours) Electives (9 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information AMS 500 may be substituted with an alternative methods course as approved by the academic unit.
AMS 502 American Studies: Theory and Method (3)
AMS 500 Research Methods (3)
For electives, students select courses from an approved list provided by the academic unit.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- letter of intent
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Articulate key theories and concepts in the field of American Studies.
- Evaluate how the field of American Studies has developed locally and globally since its inception.
- Write a final proposal that details what specific methods and critical approaches they plan to explore on a given topic.
Graduates of the certificate program are prepared for careers in policy, education and teaching, urban planning, sustainability, sociopolitical movements, environmental impacts, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, government, journalism, law and justice, public safety, and health. This certificate program is also well-suited to be paired with other professional degrees that prepare students for these careers.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
sstgraduate@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
