Are you interested in learning about American History and Literature? Are you an international student hoping to live and learn in the USA? A graduate program in American Studies could be for you. American Studies is an increasingly popular subject to study at graduate level with both students and people who would like to steer their career in a new direction.

American History and American Literature are the two umbrellas under which American Studies graduate courses are usually offered. You can specialise within these subjects into different aspects of American culture such as film, poetry, art and philosophy. American Studies at university or college is comprised of a wide range of disciplines, which allows you to liase with tutors from different departments. For example, Slavery, African-American Politics, Realist Fiction, Anglo-American Reform, Women’s Movement may be covered by a number of departments such as Arts and Humanities, English and Comparative Literature, History, Cultural Studies and Politics.

Universities or colleges will vary in the graduate programs they offer so it is important to do your research when it comes to teaching and learning facilities. Having a good research centre or extensive library at the university you choose will help you get the most out of your course.

You will need to check the specific admissions requirements of the university or college you wish to apply to but generally speaking, a 2.1 in an undergraduate degree or international equivalent is usually required to gain entry to graduate programs in American Studies. Your first degree need not be in American Studies but a demonstrable interest in the subject is a must.

Graduates in American Studies are very employable. A lot of graduates stay on to do research in the department of their university. Others enter into careers such as teaching, journalism, tourism and finance. Another option open to graduates is to travel to/around America either to further study or pursue a career.

Graduate courses in American Studies are a fantastic option for international students with an avid interest in American culture and literature. If you wish to further your studies in a subject that covers a multitude of disciplines and issues then studying a graduate program in American Studies should be your first choice.