PhD American Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Ph.D. program in American studies balances flexibility and a focus on students' own areas of interest with requirements designed to insure knowledge of key issues and texts in the interdisciplinary study of American culture. Ph.D. students must complete 20 courses (60 hours). Those who enter the program with an M.A. may count up to 9 hours of previous study toward the degree. Three specific courses–AMST 700, AMST 701, and AMST 901–are required to be completed between the first and third year.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: American Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Ph.D. students must complete 20 courses (60 hours). a practical demonstration of its acquisition and documentation of at least 100 hours of training.

Career pathways

All students enrolled in the American studies graduate program are expected to participate throughout their graduate careers in a monthly colloquium in which faculty and M.A. and Ph.D. candidates will offer presentations of their work-in-progress.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: Students who join the department with a master's degree can expect to spend less time on coursework than those who enter with an undergraduate degree, although students admitted with a master's degree in a field other than American studies may need to take some additional courses as they progress toward the American studies Ph.D. Students who enter with an undergraduate degree may choose to earn the M.A. at the end of their second year, upon completion the portfolio project, before proceeding to preparation for comprehensive examinations and the dissertation. Students will be admitted to the Ph.D. in American Studies from a range of academic programs, some with an undergraduate degree, some with a master's degree in American Studies or another relevant discipline.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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