Master of Arts in American Studies

About

Saint Louis University’s Master of Arts in American Studies gives students a solid grounding in the origins, development, practices and theoretical framework of the field, as well as aiding them in the pursuit of independent research and academic writing.  SLU's award-winning American studies faculty are trained specifically in the discipline. Our time and effort as teaching faculty are focused on American studies students. At the same time, we enjoy productive and cordial relations with our colleagues in other departments who teach and conduct research in related fields, and students may take carefully selected courses in those departments, as students in other departments do in American studies. Our faculty has particular strengths in cultural studies; the studies of cities, regions, and place; American religion; American musics; American education; and the study of U.S. empire. Current faculty research interests are in the intersection between American religion and the carceral state; interracial intimacy; St. Louis's civil rights history; literature and regional identity; environmental humanities and indigenous studies; and late 20th-century popular culture. Students will explain the contexts such as historical, political, geographic, literary, artistic, social or intellectual that shape American cultural practices, expressions and ideas. Students will assess how American cultural practices, expressions, or ideas shape or are shaped by axes of power, such as race, gender, sexuality, class, nation or ability. Students will synthesize two or more disciplinary approaches in analyses of American cultural practices, expressions or ideas. Students will effectively articulate arguments and information for an American studies audience. SLU's M.A. in American studies is a stand-alone degree that is useful for work in arts and cultural institutions, libraries, museums, historical societies, public humanities, nonprofit agencies, and other venues. 

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Policy Analyst (Cultural/Political Focus), Legislative Aide, Cultural Affairs Officer, Government Relations Officer, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Immigration & Citizenship Program Coordinator, Community Development Specialist, Human Rights Advocate, Global Policy Analyst, NGO Field Officer (Cultural/Political Focus), Foreign Service Specialist (American Culture Focus), Cultural Exchange Program Coordinator, Academic Advisor, International Development Program Coordinator, Teaching Assistant (American Studies/History), International Humanitarian Aid Coordinator, Secondary School Teacher (Social Sciences/History), Curriculum Developer (American Studies Programs), Community Education Program Coordinator, Research Assistant (American Studies/Interdisciplinary Focus), Arts & Culture Program Coordinator, Communications Strategist (Social Justice Campaigns).