MA in English - Folklore Studies in Fairfax United States | George Mason University

The Master of Arts in English with a Folklore Studies specialization enables students to examine folk traditions from international and regional perspectives. Program faculty conduct research across varied regions such as Africa, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, as well as Appalachian communities and the diverse cultural landscapes of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The curriculum covers both modern and traditional folk cultures. Distinguished faculty members frequently secure funding for folklore research projects where students can gain hands-on experience.

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan region provides exceptional resources for folklore studies. George Mason University's Folklore Program maintains ongoing partnerships with the Library of Congress through its Cultural Documentation Field School. This immersive program trains students in professional ethnographic methods through team-based fieldwork documenting local communities. Past initiatives have examined traditions at Arlington National Cemetery, the Alexandria waterfront, former West Virginia mining towns, and agricultural life in Calvert County, Maryland. Through collaborations with the Smithsonian's Folklife Center and annual Festival, students also acquire skills in cultural event planning and management.