GRADUATE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Founded in 1999, the American Studies Master's degree program has rapidly grown into a thriving interdisciplinary course of graduate study. With its core courses in U.S. and colonial American history and American literature and film, the program also encourages students work in political science, religion studies, sociology and anthropology, Africana studies, philosophy, journalism and communications, art history, and music. Over twenty-five Lehigh faculty participate in the American Studies graduate program. Our specialties include: gender and sexuality; Africana studies and Native America; popular culture and electronic media; intellectual history; New York City; early America; science, technology, and society. Candidates must take at least ten courses (thirty hours of course work). Along with a required theory and methodology course, students must take two courses in American history and two courses in American literature or film from those offered by the History and English Departments. All students must also take one special topics seminar. The other four courses are divided between thesis or "thesis paper" credits and American Studies courses not in history or literature/film. To fulfill the thesis requirements, students will write one longer thesis or two thesis papers that are aimed at either conference presentation or publication. The typical length of study for completing the program is two years for a full-time student, although it is possible to complete in one and half years.
AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM HISTORY
Since the early 1960s, when Lehigh University established its undergraduate program, American Studies has been a salient part of the offerings of the college of Arts and Sciences. It has graduated hundreds of students who have gone on to a wide range of careers. This new M.A. program builds on that achievement and on the College of Arts and Sciences faculty members who are particularly strong -- both in teaching and research -- in the disciplines associate with American studies: history, literature, political science, sociology, and religion studies. In addition to those areas, among the areas of specialization of the faculty in the American Studies program are science, technology and society; colonial America; gender and sexuality; Africana studies; religious or political thought; American politics, popular culture, film and media studies. The American Studies graduate program grew out of student, faculty and community interest. A primary goal is to appeal to students who want to continue in graduate training in one of the component disciplines and yet feel an interdisciplinary base for understanding American culture is necessary.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must take at least 10 courses (30 hours of course work), which include a core of six courses that all candidates must complete. Besides a general theory and methodology course, students will choose two courses in American history and two courses in American literature of film from those offered by the history and English departments. All students must take one special topics seminar. The other four courses in the master's degree will be divided between thesis or "thesis paper" credits and American Studies courses not in history or literature/film. To fulfill thesis requirements, students will write one longer thesis or two thesis papers that are aimed at either conference presentation or publication.
For more information on graduate courses, please click here.
Financial SUPPORT
Fellowships with stipends and tuition credits are awarded on a competitive basis. The application deadline for students interested in financial aid is January 15.
Admission Requirements
Any student who has attained a bachelor's degree at any recognized university may be admitted as a graduate student. An application for admission may be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office or directly to the Program. A complete application consists of the following:
- Completed data sheet
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
- Official record of GRE scores
- Writing sample
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- $75 application fee (nonrefundable)
- TOEFL scores for students whose native language is not English
Deadlines & Request
To apply for the graduate program in American Studies, please fill out an online application form, which can be found here. Fall applications online open September 1 and close July 1 the following year. Paper applications are accepted until the first day of the Fall semester. Spring applications online open September 1 and close December 1. Paper applications are accepted until the first day of the Spring semester.
INFORMATION FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
Current graduate students can find information about graduate life at Lehigh here.