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Applying to the Graduate Program

Thank you for your interest in our program. An applicant to the M.A. in American Studies should generally hold or be about to receive a bachelor's degree with a major, or its equivalent, in American Studies or in a similar humanities or social science discipline. They should also have at least a 3.2 GPA in undergraduate upper division major courses. In addition, the university requires at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for admission. A candidate whose undergraduate program indicates certain limited subject, grade, or breadth deficiencies may be considered for admission at the discretion of the graduate admissions committee. In such cases, a student may be required to take one or more undergraduate courses to make up deficiencies that will not count toward the master's degree. Correspondence or conversation with the Graduate Program Advisor before application is strongly advisable.   

In order to be considered for department review, all applications must contain the following items:

  1. A personal statement of 2-4 double-spaced pages that addresses your background and related experiences in preparation for graduate work in American Studies and your motivations for pursuing an M.A. in American Studies;
  2. At least two letters of recommendation, preferably from evaluators who can speak to your academic performance and your readiness to pursue graduate work in American Studies;
  3. A writing sample of at least 5 pages that demonstrates your abilities in cultural and/or historical analysis;
  4. Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, including all community colleges. These must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Current CSUF students and alumni are not required to request official transcripts from CSUF. 

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

Our M.A. Program only offers admission for the Fall Semester.

Applications and all supplemental materials must be submitted online through Cal State Apply by March 1st.

If you have questions about the online application, please see the Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center.

For further information, please contact Professor Dustin Abnet, Graduate Program Advisor, by email at dabnet@fullerton.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

All application information and supplemental materials (personal statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation) must be submitted through Cal State Apply by March 1. Official transcripts from all schools listed in your application must be submitted to the CSUF Office of Admissions either before that deadline or shortly thereafter. Current CSUF students or alumni are not required to request official transcripts from CSUF, just from any other attended institutions.  You cannot be officially admitted until all transcripts are received.

Can non-American Studies majors apply?

Of course. We are an interdisciplinary field and welcome applications from across the university. Typically, degrees in the Humanities and Social Sciences are the best preparation for the program; however, other degrees may be considered as well depending on undergraduate coursework. If you have any questions about your specific degree, please email Dr. Abnet.

What should I include in my personal statement?

Personal statements should be between 600 and 1000 words (2-4 double-spaced pages) and convey a sense of who you are and why you wish to pursue an M.A. Degree in American Studies at CSUF. You should explain your background and intellectual preparation for the program, how the degree fits with your life and/or career goals, and why you think our program would be a good environment for you to pursue those goals. In addition, if there are any anomalies in your record (such as a low GPA or a degree in non-Humanities or Social Science field) you should be sure to address them. If you are uncertain about your personal statement, please feel free to ask Dr. Abnet at any point in the process.

What should my writing sample include?

Your writing sample does not need to be extensive (5-10 double-spaced pages would be fine), but it should convey a sense of how you analyze culture or history and communicate through writing.  Ideally, it would include examples of you analyzing evidence, drawing on other scholars' academic research, and citing materials (any citation style is acceptable).  We recognize that this can sometimes be a difficult thing to provide, especially if you have been out of school for a while. If you are having any difficulties finding something that would work, please ask Dr. Abnet for guidance.

How should I request and submit letters of recommendation?

Typically, we prefer letters of recommendation written by people who are familiar with your analytical and written work; however, if you have been out of school for several years, we accept letters of recommendation from employers or others who are familiar with your academic performance and potential. 

All letters must be formally requested and submitted through the Cal State Apply system.  In your application, select the "Recommendations" tab and follow the instructions.  This will send an email request directly to the recommender.  However, you should also personally request letters directly, usually at least a month in advance.  

When is the deadline to accept my admission offer?

June 1.

How much does the program cost?

Up-to-date tuition and other costs of attendance can be found through the office of Financial Aid's Cost of Attendance page.  CSUF's Net Price Calculator can help you estimate your specific total costs.

What funding opportunities do you have?

Within the department, we offer several scholarships that graduate students are eligible to apply for. In addition, we are periodically able to offer paid Graduate Assistant Positions.  Additionally, CSUF's Office of Graduate Studies offers several programs and scholarships for which our students are competitive and our students have also been successful in pursuing scholarships and employment opportunities available from other Humanities and Social Sciences Departments. 

Is financial aid available to graduate students?

Yes.  Please consult the Office of Financial Aid for information specifically about graduate students.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Most students take around 5 semesters (2.5 years) to complete the program. Some students finish in 3 (if taking summer courses) or 4 semesters but others take longer.  We have set up the program to allow you to go at a pace that makes sense given your other commitments. 

Can I transfer coursework into the program?

Maybe.  The University allows students to transfer up to 9 units (typically 3 courses) of post-, graduate-level coursework into a M.A. degree.  These units would have to be in excess of all undergraduate degree requirements, meet the requirements of graduate level work, and be approved by the M.A. program advisor as equivalent to AMST M.A. program work. If you are interested in this option, you must consult Dr. Abnet.