Graduate Degree Programs
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SIMON J. BRONNER, Ph.D., Director
Penn State Harrisburg
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
Phone: 717-948-6201
Email: amstd@psu.edu
M.A., Ph.D.
The M.A. degree program, offered at Penn State Harrisburg, emphasizes the interdisciplinary study of American society and culture. It serves students who want to investigate the American experience and apply their studies in a variety of professions, including education, government, communications, and museums. It is the distinguishing characteristic of the program that the large majority of its course offerings are taught by faculty trained in the discipline of American Studies and bearing the "American Studies" title. The program offers a number of concentrations including folklore, cultural history (politics, popular culture, media studies), international American Studies, material and visual culture (art, architecture, craft, landscape, food, clothing, medicine), public heritage (museums, historic preservation, archiving, cultural resource management), race and ethnicity, and regional studies.
The campus is located in a rich cultural region, surrounded by Amish Farmlands, Gettysburg, Hershey, Steelton, Ephrata, Carlisle, York, and Harrisburg. Additionally, proximity to the major cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York offer a host of research options for students. Strong ties with local educational and cultural institutions, including the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Farm Museum of Landis Valley, Hershey Museum, National Civil War Museum, and the Dauphin County Historical Society, Cumberland County Historical Society, and other Public Heritage resources provide excellent learning opportunities for students.
The M.A. degree can be earned by full- or part-time study. Most 500-level courses are offered in the evening as the program strives to meet students' needs.
The M.A. degree program in American Studies accepts students from a wide array of disciplines--particularly art, history, English, sociology, and anthropology--but recommends educational preparation related to the interdisciplinary study of American culture. This program accepts baccalaureate degrees earned from accredited institutions. Conditions of the degree must be equivalent to the conditions required for a degree from Penn State. All applicants must submit: a completed application form with the application fee; two official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended (minimum of 2.75 junior/senior grade-point average on a 4.00 scale); two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the student's ability to handle graduate study; a statement of intent (approximately 500 to 1,000 words outlining their preparation for study, proposed fields of study, and career goals; and a sample of written work (seminar paper or equivalent research paper) as evidence of their American research and writing skills.
An application is available on the Web at www.hbg.psu.edu or by calling 717-948-6250. Submit materials for fall admission before February 15 and for spring admission before October 15. Students applying for scholarships and assistantships are requested to submit general examination scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within five years previous to the date of application. The GRE is recommended, but not required, for admission.
All international applicants whose first language is not English or who have not received baccalaureate or master's degrees from an institution in which the language of instruction is English must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: www.toefl.org) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and submit the results of that test with the application for admission. A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper test, a score of 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 points on the new Internet-based test with a minimum of 23 points on the new speaking portion is required for admission; or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum composite score of 6.5. The IELTS exam tests four mandatory skill areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Completed international application material must be submitted by the following deadlines. Applications received after the deadlines will be processed for the following semester: fall semester, February 15; spring semester, October 15. Applications received after these deadlines will be processed for the following semester.
The student is required to take a minimum of 30 credits in American Studies, including at least 18 credits in the 500 series; AM ST 500, 591, and AM ST 580 or 600 are required. AM ST 500 should be taken within the first two semesters of study; AM ST 591 should be taken in the last two semesters of study. Usually in the last semester of study, students are required to complete their program with a major paper by taking AM ST 580 or thesis, in which case AM ST 600 is taken. The choice of AM ST 580 to fulfill graduation requirements is for an original scholarly master's paper or project. One to 6 credits in AM ST 580 can be earned; the typical number of credits for the culminating project is 3. The choice of AM ST 600 is for a thesis and is taken for 6 credits. The thesis must follow the guidelines established by the Thesis Office of the Graduate School (see http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html).
Advanced undergraduate courses (400-level) that have not counted toward a student's undergraduate degree may be considered for transfer into the graduate student's requirement of 30 credits of American Studies with permission of the program and approval of the Graduate School. At least 20 of the 30 credits must be earned at the Harrisburg location where the program is offered. Courses not having an American Studies designation but which are relevant to American Studies may be considered for inclusion in the student's requirement of 30 credits of American Studies with permission of the program.
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in American Studies represents the study of the United States as an academic field with its own developed theories, methods, and applications. Taking advantage of its location in a capital region with internationally known heritage sites and American Studies resources such as the Gettysburg Battlefield, Three-Mile Island, Hershey, Steelton, Anthracite Coal Region, and Amish Country, it emphasizes critical cultural inquiry and the application of American Studies to public heritage, public policy, and cultural resource management--including governmental work, museums, cultural agencies, education, archives and records management, public policy, and communications. A foundation for this application is an understanding of the American experience developed within the intellectual legacy of American Studies.
Graduates of the program are typically oriented toward public practice as well as scholarship in American Studies--integrating perspectives on United States history, culture, and society. Students have opportunities for internships and field experiences outside the classroom. In addition to preparation for academic teaching and writing, the program is distinctively concerned among other doctoral departments of American Studies with the production of public scholars and leadership careers outside of academe. The program strives to cover America broadly in its national and international contexts, work with local resources and institutions, and to develop a focus on cultural expression and identity, including areas of material and visual culture; folk and popular culture; race, ethnicity, and gender; and literature, performance, and media.
The program requires enrollment as a full-time student for at least two consecutive semesters--9 credits per semester (summer sessions not included). A doctoral student is required to complete the program, including defense and acceptance of the doctoral thesis, within eight years after admission to candidacy.
Students may apply for admission only in the fall semester. All materials should be submitted before January 15.
Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy in American Studies must hold a master's degree in American Studies, or a related field emphasizing American cultural scholarship and public heritage work such as history, English, sociology, political science, folklore, cultural studies, performance studies, ethnic studies, gender studies, communications, art history, museum and library studies, education, and cultural resource management.
Students are required to submit the following:
Admission is highly competitive and the best-qualified students will be admitted subject to space availability and compatibility of the student with the program's research mission. Successful applicants with an M.A. typically have a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) in their graduate work.
International applicants must hold the equivalent of an American master's degree. They must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English. Notarized copies are not sufficient. The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test. Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 19 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.
International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec ), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.
Information about the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to the Educational Testing Service, Box 6155 , Princeton , NJ 08541-6155 or visiting their Web site at www.toefl.org (Opens New Window). Local administration at University Park campus of the TOEFL is handled by the IECP. Information about the IELTS can be obtained by contacting IELTS International, 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200 , Pasadena , CA 91103 or visiting its Web site at www.ielts.org (Opens New Window) .
Over some twelve-month period during the interval between admission to the Ph.D. program and completion of the Ph.D. program, the candidate must spend at least two semesters (summer sessions are not included) as a registered full-time student (9 credits per semester) engaged in academic work at Penn State Harrisburg.
Students progress through the following phases and take courses designated by their doctoral committee as part of their study for the Ph.D.
In this initial phase, the student must (1) make up any deficiencies in graduate courses in American Studies noted in the letter of acceptance, and (2) complete with a grade of B or better the following courses--AM ST 500 (Theory and Method), AM ST 502 (Problems in American Studies), AM ST 591 (Seminar), and at least one course from the subfield seminars (AM ST 510 to 570)--and (3) pass a candidacy examination. Admitted students who have met all course prerequisites begin the core courses with AM ST 500 (Theory and Method). Students who have already taken AM ST 500 within three years of admission may begin their program of study with the AM ST 502 (Problems in American Studies).
The candidacy examination is administered by a special committee appointed by the director of the doctoral program. After the exam is passed, a student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. General guidance of a doctoral candidate is the responsibility of a doctoral committee consisting of four or more active members of the Graduate Faculty, which includes at least two faculty members in the major field, and one outside member. The primary responsibilities of the outside member are (1) to maintain the academic standards of the Graduate School and (2) to assure that all procedures are carried out fairly. The outside member represents the Graduate School ; and, as such, the outside member shall be a member of the Graduate Faculty but need not have direct expertise in the research area of the candidate. The outside member may contribute technical expertise, but this role is subordinate to the aforementioned primary responsibilities . The dissertation adviser must be a member of the doctoral committee and usually (but is not required to) serves as chair. If the candidate has a minor, that field must be represented on the committee. This committee is appointed by the graduate dean through the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, upon recommendation of the head of the major program, soon after the student is admitted to candidacy. A person not affiliated with Penn State who has particular expertise in the candidate's research area may be added as a special member, upon recommendation by the head of the program and approval of the graduate dean (via the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services). A special member is expected to participate fully in the functions of the doctoral committee. If the special member is asked only to read and approve the doctoral dissertation, that person is designated a special signatory of the thesis. Occasionally, special signatories may be drawn from within the Penn State faculty in particular situations.
Students must be registered as a full-time or part-time degree student for the semester (excluding summer session) in which the comprehensive examination is taken. The examination consists of three parts and is administered by the student's doctoral committee. One is in the area of Theory and Method and an additional two subfields of study from a list of five areas covered in the program. The five subfields of specialization are:
Additional subfields of study within American Studies may be selected with the approval of the student's doctoral committee.
Although the exact number of courses required in each subfield may vary among students, typically four per subfield are required. Doctoral committees meet with students at least once each academic year. Written and oral comprehensive examinations in the three areas are given at the end of the study period.
Under guidance from the doctoral committee, the candidate prepares a detailed research proposal that serves as the basis for the written dissertation covering an aspect of American Studies. The dissertation should represent a significant contribution to knowledge, show familiarity with the intellectual heritage of American Studies, be presented in a scholarly manner, reveal an ability on the part of the candidate to do independent research of high quality, and indicate considerable experience in using a variety of research techniques and forms of primary evidence. The contents and conclusions of the dissertation must be defended at the time of the final oral examination. Once approved, the student can enroll in AM ST 600 Thesis for on-campus work or AM ST 610 Ph.D. Dissertation Research Off-Campus. The writing and defense of this original contribution to the theory and practice of American Studies is the capstone to the Ph.D. program. A student must be registered continuously for each Fall and Spring semester, beginning with the first semester after the comprehensive examination requirement and residency requirement have been met, until the dissertation is accepted and approved by the dissertation committee. To maintain continuous registration, candidates may register for noncredit AM ST 601 or 611, with payment of the special thesis preparation fee; students who want to combine course work with thesis preparation must register for AM ST 600 or 611 (not 601 which is full-time thesis preparation) plus course registration at the regular per-credit fee. For more information on academic procedures, see http://bulletins.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/academic_procedures.cfm
The final examination of the doctoral candidate is an oral examination (defense) administered and evaluated by the entire doctoral committee. This oral defense is open to the public and related in large part to the dissertation, but it may cover the candidate's whole program of study. The Committee may restrict part of the defense to its members and the candidate. The candidate must be registered as a full-time or part-time degree student for the semester in which the oral defense is held.
A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for work done in the American Studies doctoral program at the University is required for doctoral candidacy, for admission to the comprehensive examination, the final oral examination, and for graduation.
A doctoral student is required to complete the program, including acceptance of the doctoral thesis, within eight years from the date of successful completion of the candidacy examination. Extensions may be granted by the Director of Graduate Enrollment Services in appropriate circumstances.
A limited number of scholarships, loans, and grants are available from the University. In many cases, employers have a tuition-reimbursement plan paying for partial or full tuition. To find available options from the University, contact the Financial Aid Office at 717-948-6307. For more information, see php.scripts.psu.edu/dept/iit/hbg/academics/gradaid.php
Full-time incoming doctoral students starting in the fall semester with a record of scholarly excellence may qualify for a University Graduate Fellowship, Bunton-Waller Graduate Scholar Awards, and other programs. Interested students should contact the program director, who is responsible for nominating students. For more information, see www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/funding/programs.html
Full-time incoming graduate students may qualify for a Capital College Assistantship and other programs. Students must be nominated for an assistantship by the program director. For more information, see php.scripts.psu.edu/dept/iit/hbg/academics/gradaid.php
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
AMERICAN STUDIES (AM ST) course list
Date last updated by Publications: 08/07/09
Last Revised by the Department: Fall Semester 2008
Blue Sheet Item #: 36-07-006
Review Date: 6/17/08