Liberal Studies M.A. Program: American Studies

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Degree Programs: Full-Time/Part-Time: Free-Standing M.A.

The Program in American Studies focuses on the various cultures of the U.S. from the viewpoint of several disciplines. Required courses in literature, history, social science, and art history give students the foundation to specialize in one period or interdisciplinary area as they design an individual program of study in consultation with the program coordinator. The program concludes with a substantial paper that brings synthesized perspectives from two (or more) disciplines to bear on a limited topic within the student’s area of concentration.

Special Admission Requirements

Transcripts

An official transcript showing all courses and grades of any academic work from each college and university attended must be submitted.

A Transcript Request Form should be completed and sent to each institution, school, etc. from which you are requesting a transcript. Please ask the sending institution to return this with the transcript. each sheet downloaded contains three transcript forms for your convenience.

A Fall Term Grade Report Form should be used if you are currently taking courses and would like your fall term grades to be seen by the faculty admissions committee of your designated department or porgram. Please complete this form and return it to us once the grades are available. If you are admitted, you must submit a final official transcript.

Letters of recommendation 

Two letters of recommendation are required. If you have recently received an academic degree or are currently enrolled in a degree program, letters from faculty members are preferable.If you have not been enrolled in an academic program for some time, you may submit letters from supervisors or colleagues in positions of responsibility. 

It is important that your recommendation letters come from people who know you well.They should assess your particular strengths and weaknesses, your degree of maturity, and your ability to complete successfully a demanding academic program.

If your evaluators prefer to submit the letter in paper form, please download the Letter of Evaluation Form

GRE scores 

Submission of GRE scores is optional. Admissions decisions are based on your application as a whole.

TOEFL scores

All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to the GSAS admissions policy for international students.

Statement of Academic Purpose 

It is necessary for us to evaluate your background and your ability to succeed academically as well as to understand the reasons you have chosen to apply to a particular Liberal Studies program. Therefore, please compose a statement of approximately 1,000 words describing any relevant course work, preparation in languages, professional activity and other experience pertaining to your background and interest in the program and your academic plans for graduate study at Columbia and their relation to your plans unpon receiving your M.A.

Writing Sample

Please provide a short paper no more than 1,000 words in length or a similarly-sized coherent excerpt from a longer paper that you have written for a course. Alternatively, provide a focused essay written in an academic style in which you analyze an article, book, exhibit or event relevant to your field of interest.

CV/Resume

A CV/Resume is required.

Miscellaneous

A Supplementary Materials Form should be attached to any supplementary document which is not submitted online. If you are submitting more than one document under the same cover, please attach a separate form to each document.

Deadlines

For Admission in the Spring Semester – November 1st
For Admission in the Fall Semester – April 1st

FLAS Fellowships are available for students entering in the Fall. If you are applying for the FLAS Fellowship you must submit your application, including the FLAS Essay by February 16 th.