American Studies (Graduate Certificate)
Interpret cultural texts, policies and institutions through interdisciplinary lenses from ethnic studies, history, media and justice studies. Learn from faculty in the School of Social Transformation and gain flexible preparation for careers or further graduate study.
Quick facts
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
American Studies graduate certificate description
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
Why earn an American studies graduate certificate at ASU?
Study within the School of Social Transformation, a unit built around social change rather than a single traditional discipline. You draw on connections to African and African American studies, American Indian studies, Asian Pacific American studies, justice studies and women and gender studies, all housed in one collaborative academic unit.
As part of a major public research university in the Southwest, this graduate certificate opens opportunities to examine borderlands, Latinx and transborder communities, Indigenous sovereignty and regional environmental and urban issues that sit at the center of contemporary debates about America.
Additional details
You can also connect with broader ASU communities focused on access, inclusion and social justice through university-wide centers and initiatives that offer online programming and resources.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
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.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- 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.
Articulate key theories and concepts in the field of American Studies. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
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: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master's degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this American studies graduate certificate prepares you for
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.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
sstgraduate@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
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.
