PhD in American Studies in College Park United States | University of Maryland, College Park

The American Studies program provides interdisciplinary education culminating in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Departmental research and teaching concentrate on two core themes: everyday life cultures and how identity/difference is culturally constructed. These focal points guide our exploration of diverse cultures within the United States, throughout the Americas, and across national boundaries. Our approach incorporates various cultural studies perspectives, including material/visual culture analysis, ethnographic research, popular culture/media studies, queer theory, body/sexuality studies, gender studies, food culture research, digital culture examination, critical race theory, and cultural geography investigations. Students gain proficiency in multiple research methods while enrolling in courses across university departments. The Department enjoys collaborations with a wide network of affiliated faculty, partnerships with cultural organizations like Smithsonian museums, and proximity to numerous museums in the Baltimore-Washington area, government entities, archival collections, historical associations, and local communities. Additional opportunities include graduate certificate programs where our courses qualify, such as Museum Scholarship/Material Culture, Critical Theory, Historic Preservation, and Women's Studies. The Department houses the U.S. Latina/o Studies program and plays a leading role in advancing Native American Studies.