MA 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 intellectual themes: everyday life cultures and how identity and difference are culturally constructed. These themes guide our exploration of diverse cultures within the United States, throughout the Americas, and across national boundaries. Our approach incorporates various cultural studies perspectives, such as material and visual culture analysis, ethnographic research, popular culture and media studies, queer theory, body and sexuality studies, gender studies, food culture research, digital culture examination, critical race theory, and cultural geography. Students gain proficiency in multiple research methods while enrolling in courses across various University departments. The Department enjoys collaborations with a wide network of affiliated faculty, partnerships with cultural institutions like the Smithsonian museums, and proximity to numerous museums in the Baltimore-Washington area, government agencies, archival collections, historical organizations, and local communities. Additional opportunities include graduate certificate programs that accept our course credits, covering Museum Scholarship and 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.