Graduate Studies

The Accelerated Masters Program in American Studies Program in the Department of American Studies will allow academically gifted undergraduate majors in American Studies to begin graduate study during the senior year of their undergraduate program. American Studies majors admitted into the Accelerated Masters Program will be able to earn a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in American Studies in five years. Additional benefits of this program to eligible students include:

• Faster, and potentially more economical, completion of two degrees.
• Richer undergraduate degree experience, fewer unrelated core courses and more courses in the major.
• Opportunity to hone their analytical and strategic thinking in American Studies. For example, the opportunity to become involved in research projects earlier and for a longer time period.
• Stronger mentoring relationship with the faculty.
• Greater opportunity to develop an understanding of the field in preparation for doctoral work.

Requirements

Students may start the AMP program once they have earned 90 or more undergraduate hours. Typically, this would mean that an AMP student will apply to the Graduate School in the final semester of their junior year.

At the time of application they must have overall undergraduate grade point averages of not less than 3.3 in all courses. Permission to take graduate courses will be granted by the Graduate School if the student has met the criteria above as well as other minimum requirements for graduate admission. Upon admission to the Graduate School, an AMP student will begin a program of study leading to the master’s degree, as approved by the American Studies Department and by the dean of the Graduate School.

Beyond the numerical qualifications, invitation by the Department is based on the student’s demonstrated potential and motivation for graduate work, as well as timely progress toward completion of the B.A. in American Studies. Upon admission to the Graduate School, the student will be allowed to take graduate-level courses and begin a program of study leading to the M.A. in American Studies.

It is advised that prospective AMP students meet with Dr. Mairin Odle, the Graduate Program Director, at the beginning of their junior year.

Admission

Admission to the AMP will occur when the student is officially admitted to the Graduate School.

Admission to the Graduate School will be granted based on the following criteria:

1. The student has been invited by the Department to join the Accelerated Masters Program.
2. The student has met the minimum requirements for graduate admission (see “Admission Criteria” in the Graduate Catalog)
3. The student has an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses.
4. The student has completed at least 30 undergraduate hours in residence.
5. The student has completed at least 90 undergraduate hours and three-fourths of the hours required for the major and the minor.
6. The student has met all University core curriculum requirements.
7. The Department has recommended to the Graduate School that the student be admitted.

For more information about the AMP, please contact Dr. Mairin Odle, Graduate Program Director, or Dr. Edward Tang, Department Chair.