American Studies, MA

Contact Information

Program Description

KSU’s Master of Arts with a major in American Studies (MAST) offers an interdisciplinary study of American cultures as they exist locally, regionally, nationally, and transnationally. As the sole American Studies graduate curriculum in the University System of Georgia, KSU’s course of study introduces students to the most important and innovative scholarship dealing with the United States and the Americas and their role in the world. Students will have the opportunity to engage in practical, project-based learning linked to their own professional development needs and interests. Thus, students will not only learn cutting-edge approaches to the study of American history, politics, literature, arts, and culture, but they will also apply this knowledge through group work, collaborations with faculty, community service, and career-related capstone projects. Students also have the opportunity to pursue humanities and social science based thesis projects as preparation for further graduate training. The MA program with a major American Studies provides an infield upgrade for certified high school History and English teachers as well as middle-grades social studies and language arts teachers in the state of Georgia.

Admission Requirements

The following are requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions   requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be gathered by submitted to the KSU Graduate Admission 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 3-5 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 3.0.
• 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 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).

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently, there are no exceptions to the admission requirements.

Transfer Credit

Up to nine semester hours 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.

Petition to Graduate

Master of Arts in American Studies candidates must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of degree requirements. For more information, please view the corresponding section of  Academic Policies .  

Program of Study

The Master of Arts with a Major in American Studies Program consists of 36 credit hours and fulfillment of a foreign language requirement, as follows: