BA American Studies at Stanford University

Programme overview

American Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major that provides a rich and multifaceted understanding of American culture and society in all their complexity. Building on a foundation of core courses in history, politics, and society; literature, culture, and the arts; and race and ethnicity, students learn to analyze and interpret America’s past and present from multiple angles while also forging fresh and creative syntheses. Beyond the core courses, students are expected to define and pursue their interests in interpreting essential dimensions of American life.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Sciences | Department: American Studies | Duration: 62 units in the programme; 180 minimum university units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 62 units in the programme and 180 minimum university units. Requirements are organised into: Core Program Requirements; Depth in Discipline; Writing in the Major (WIM); Capstone; Honors.

Career pathways

Because the American Studies major cultivates an extraordinary breadth of knowledge and awareness, as well as exceptionally deft critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills, it serves as excellent preparation for a wide range of future pursuits, including further study in graduate or professional schools and careers in journalism, government, business, law, entertainment, public servic

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Stanford University, not to a major: first-year applicants apply through the Common Application with ACT or SAT scores, the School Report and counselor recommendation, official transcripts and letters of recommendation from two academic teachers (Restrictive Early Action deadline November 1; Regular Decision deadline January 5). Majors are declared after enrolment; no separate programme application. Programme-specific prerequisites are listed in the requirements of the major.

USD 67,731 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-time tuition for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters combined; a single undergraduate rate applies to all undergraduate majors and is stated for all students. Excludes student fees, housing and food, books and personal expenses. The unde Source

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application. Restrictive Early Action deadline is October 15 with an optional arts portfolio or November 1 for the standard application, with decisions by mid-December. Regular Decision deadline is December 5 with an optional arts portfolio or January 5 for the standard application, with decisions by early April. The reply date is May 1. The application fee is $100, nonrefundable, or a fee waiver request. ACT or SAT scores are required.

Transfer applicants apply through the Common Application by March 15, with decisions by mid-May. The application fee is $100 or a fee waiver request, and ACT or SAT scores are required.

ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year applicants, with no minimum score; Stanford has no preferred exam.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

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