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.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Graduate admissions criteria varies based on enrollment type. Please visit the Graduate Admissions Requirements site for more details.

Program Admission Requirements

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Letter of Application: The letter of application should be in the form of a narrative which 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: 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.
• GPA: The program minimum is 2.75 for all undergraduate courses from the degree-granting institution, but we expect the class will average above 3.00.
• 2 Letters of Recommendation: Applicants should ask recommenders to submit letters of recommendation through the KSU Graduate College online admission system. 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. 
• C.V./Résumé (Optional).

Transfer Credit

Up to 25% of graduate work from other accredited institutions may be transferred. To be transferred, course work from other institutions must correspond to Kennesaw State’s Master of Arts in American Studies curriculum. Students will need to provide course descriptions and syllabi wherever possible, and the amount of credit granted will be at the discretion of the program director. Such course work may be no more than five years old.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges