A complaint lodged against liberal arts programs is that they are lofty, artsy operations that enforce a disconnected way of thinking about reality. The truth is that a liberal arts school is just simply not for everyone. Some students will thrive in an environment that encourages the philosophical integration of one’s studies while others might prefer to stick to purely quantitative considerations of a technical school.

The counterargument is that thinking is a skill, as much as math skills or any trade skill. A liberal arts program enforces a format of thinking that trains students to solve problems with creativity and originality–and well, problem solving is a central concern of any effort in life, professional or otherwise. And today, the stigma surrounding online education is nearly non-existent and totally negligible when it comes to online degrees from reputable schools.

The Allure of a Liberal Arts Master’s 

The allure of a liberal arts master’s degree is that at the level of depth that one reaches in graduate school, programs incorporate comprehensive examinations of topics in both qualitative and quantitative formats. This can be an excellent approach to research-heavy or calculations-dense subjects, because it allows students to incorporate highly logical knowledge in a student’s unique personal perspective. In a sense, it allows room for a student to make knowledge their own. 

And in subjects that are innately philosophical–such as anthropology, psychology, or legal studies–a liberal arts education in second to none. Oftentimes the reasoning behind a concept is more important than memorizing the concept itself. And this is exactly what an advanced liberal arts degree will teach you–not just what the core concepts of a subject are, but how these concepts were arrived at in the first place. 

Moreover a liberal arts degree from one of the schools on this list will confer tremendous academic and professional clout. As mentioned above a liberal arts degree is a program that teaches you how to solve problems, and this is doubly true of a liberal arts Master’s which is able to develop actionable expertise in students so that they are prepared to tackle real world problems. 

Top Online Liberal Arts Master’s 

1. Rutgers University

Rutgers University’s liberal arts programs provide the tremendously valuable balance of a liberal arts program with a career-centric scope of focus. Students of Rutgers programs are taught how to think, but more importantly are taught how to think in a way that generates actionable results on one’s career. One needs to only look at the extensive catalogue of alumni–who are not only leaders but innovators in their respective fields–to see the Rutgers’ liberal arts philosophy validated. 

The Rutgers Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program can be completed entirely online or on-campus, and is meant to inspire intellectual engagement. The purpose of the program is highly flexible, and can be tailored to reflect a professional’s unique interests–whether that be to increase one’s qualifications, to broaden one’s understanding of a particular subject, or to improve one’s competitiveness in the job market. 

Students of the program will participate in a comprehensive philosophical and quantitative examination of the following subjects: 

• Literature
• History
• Philosophy
• Religion
• Social sciences
• Arts

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2. University of North Carolina – Greensboro 

UNC Greensboro is one of the original three schools of the UNC system, which was originally established to offer doctoral degrees. UNC Greensboro’s established history in providing advanced studies of the arts and sciences contributes to a strong reputation and academic clout. 

Specifically students can earn a Master of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) that can be completed entirely through online coursework. The program challenges traditional conceptions of what an arts and sciences education format means. The ‘applied arts and sciences’ designation refers to the programs focus on actionable, project-based learning where students will build the skills that are most valued in the real world workforce. 

The program looks to balance theoretical and intellectual explorations of subjects with data-based learning and the quantitative evaluations of key-areas of interest, specifically of interest to future employers. In other words, UNC Greensboro looks to provide the quintessential arts and sciences graduate education, while positioning students for professional success. 

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3. Harvard University

There is a reason that Harvard University is a household name synonymous with academic excellence and paramount professional achievement. Harvard’s alumni have gone on to become presidents, governors, generals, and CEOs of the most influential companies in our economy. Its faculty are leading experts in their field, often setting the paradigms which are followed for years, or even decades, to come. 

With the advent of online education, Harvard has expanded its degree program options to be accessible by students all over the world. The Harvard Extension School is designed specifically to accommodate working students and adult learners who are self-directed and responsible students. 

Specifically, students can earn a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies in one of twenty areas of study. Most relevant to this list is the Arts Literature & Media program where students can pursue the building of speciality in any of the following areas:

• Creative Writing & Literature
• Dramatic Arts
• English
• Journalism
• Museum Studies

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4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is an innovative force in higher education, and has spurred tremendous growth in the sector of professional advancement for adult learners. ASU designs degree programs to reflect industry trends and employer expectations, so that program graduates are perfectly positioned to capitalize on market opportunities. 

ASU offers an Online Master of Liberal Studies through the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. Students of the program will explore a comprehensive integration of the humanities with key scientific queries across various cultural contexts. 

The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts empowers students to pursue personal and professional areas of interest through independent research projects. In fact, the College expended $140 million toward research projects and initiatives. For students looking to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, ASU is a top-notch program. 

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5. University of Michigan – Flint

The University of Michigan Flint is dedicated to providing students with affordable options for professional and academic advancement. Particularly, a formative pillar of UM Flint’s online programs is providing “affordable excellence” so that students can pursue professional dreams without sacrificing financial stability. Online program tuitions can be brutal for out-of-state tuitions, but UM Flint offers an out-of-state tuition that is just 10% more than in-state, a tremendously affordable rate. 

UM Flint offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in American Culture. The program is offered through the nationally renowned Rackham School of Graduate Studies, which is acclaimed for its student-centric curriculums and free-form independent research. 

Students of the Liberal Studies in American Culture program will cover interdisciplinary explorations of various subjects, most of which will be chosen by individuals to reflect unique professional goals and interests. 

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6. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) demonstrates consumer-friendly, student-focused policies and strategies that nurture students in their striving for success. University assets are commonly reinvested into student research projects or expansions into new degree programs. This student-focused educational philosophy is particularly present in the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) Degree program. 

The 31 credit MLS degree program is designed to be flexible, so that busy students and working adults can complete coursework amidst even the busiest of schedules. Coursework is designed to represent industry trends and market opportunities, where students can choose specific degree concentrations that will enhance one’s professional position. 

Available concentration options depend on the current industry trends, but currently students can delve into any of the following concentration tracks: 

• Global Studies
• Corporate Communications
• Literary Arts
• Political Leadership
• Public Administration
• Health Sciences

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7. Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University School of Professional Studies (SPL) is an institution of advanced higher education that specializes in providing top-end preparation at the graduate and postgraduate level. These programs emphasize the transition from ‘theory to practice’ that is so crucial to facilitating professional success in students with a liberal arts background, while catering to the busy schedules of working students and adult learners. Students can take advantage of this tremendous flexibility to progress through programs in a format that best matches one’s schedule–choosing from asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid formats. 

The Stony Brook University School of Professional Studies offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. The program functions on a core tenet, that is that students excel professionally when their studies promote personal growth as well. 

Emphasizing this student-centric philosophy is the program’s commitment to empowering students to design their own curriculums. Specifically, students will choose from a robust catalogue of interdisciplinary topics and string them together in such a way as to most effectively lay the foundation to one’s chosen career focus 

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8. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis global degrees program (UofM Global) is an internationally recognized and attended institution that prioritizes flexible and affordable education. UofM Global leads the charge in ‘best practices’ for online education, providing students with 24/7 student support services. These services ensure that students are able to make the most of their time in the program, while enjoying the same care and personalized counseling that on-campus students receive. 

The UofM Global College of Professional & Liberal Studies Human Resources offers programs in the following areas: Leadership, Liberal Studies (Master level), Liberal Studies (Doctor level), Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) is completed entirely through online coursework at a pace and schedule that best accommodates students. 

Students will also tailor coursework to reflect their desired area of expertise or career focus through submitting an academic proposal. Academic advisors will then structure particular students’ curriculum to facilitate building the necessary expertise.  

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9. SUNY College at Brockport

Founded in 1835 in the College at Brockport boasts a storied history of academic excellence. The College now offers a host of more than 50 graduate degrees and advanced professional certification program options. Brockport is dedicated to providing students advanced degree options with exceptional value and academic merit. 

The College at Brockport offers students a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students of the program will engage in a comprehensive exploration of perspectives through the lens of the humanities, social and natural sciences, and the fine arts. 

A distinguishing element of this program is its flexible curriculum that is meant to empower students to pursue key topics of professional interest. To put this flexibility in perspective, the core curriculum of the 30 credit program takes up only 12 credits, while students will choose 18 credits worth of electives coursework to complete the program with a desired concentration. 

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10. University of Massachusetts

UMass Online is an industry leader in online education with an established history in distance learning programs dating back more than 25 years. Today, more than 180 UMass degrees are available online delivered through 1500 courses annually. UMass Online is managed by some of the most prestigious faculty in higher ed who hold distinction such as the following:

• Pulitzer Prize
• Nobel Prize
• National Book Award for Poetry
• Draper Award in Engineering

UMass Online offers a liberal arts type degree that doubles down on analytical foundations. Specifically, students can earn a Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) that can be completed entirely online. The program is designed to groom the next generation of thinkers who are able generate positive change in their environments. 

The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare students to excel in any industry or discipline. This flexible curriculum builds student expertise through the following research projects: Processes of Research and Engagement; Action Research for Educational, Professional & Personal Change; and Synthesis of Theory and Practice.

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11. SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire was established in 1971 to break the mold of higher education by designing an education program around mentorship-based learning. By providing counsel and advisement services, students are able to make the most of their time in each degree program. Faculty mentorship is meant to not only help students integrate knowledge more readily, but also to help students frame what they learn in terms of professional actionability. 

SUNY Empire offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students of the program will design coursework to reflect particular career goals and interests. The program culminates in a comprehensive final project that is meant to fulfill a dual-purpose of demonstrating students’ expertise and functioning as the start of a professional portfolio that works to showcase this expertise to future employers and collaborators. 

Before delving deeply into one’s individual area of expertise, students will build foundational knowledge in the following subjects:

• Seminar in Liberal Studies
• Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Study
• Literature Review: Explore the research relevant to chosen concentration

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12. American Public University

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, American Public University (APU) offers more than 200 degrees and certifications. The average APU student is 32 years old and 88% of students are working adults–APU’s key demographic. The University looks to assist working adults in advancing careers and actualizing professional goals. 

The APU School of Arts and Humanities offers a fully online Master of Arts in Humanities. Students of the program will tread the path of comprehensive study of arts, sciences, and philosophies from antiquity to modern day. 

Unlike many of the programs on this list, the Master of Arts in Humanities employs a more structured curriculum. Students will progress through topics and projects in an order and cadence that is meant to enhance each subsequent topic respectively. 

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13. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is an internationally renowned institution of research-based education. Few degrees will confer the clout that a degree from JHU will, and this is for good reason. JHU faculty are responsible for industry-defining research and paradigm shifting practices in various fields and disciplines. At JHU students can enjoy confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The John Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences prepares students to excel in careers and thrive as professionals. The Krieger School offers a fully online Master of Liberal Arts that is the first of its kind. The program is designed to inspire intellectual expansion, build analytical expertise, and facilitate professional competence in interdisciplinary projects and problem solving. 

Specifically, students will progress through unique and inspiring topics in the following courses:

• Deep Ecology: Environmental Ethic
• Philosophy of Beauty
• Existentialism: Philosophy and Social Critique
• Critical Theory
• Race and Jazz
• Social History of Medicine
• What is History?
• Ways of Knowing: Historical and Epistemological Foundations of the Liberal Arts

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14. Western New Mexico University

Founded in 1893, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to servicing adult learners and underprivileged students through consumer-friendly and student-centric policies. WNMU’s student body is more than 50% hispanic and is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. 

WNMU students can earn a fully online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program is designed to enhance one’s professional or academic endeavors by building targeted academic concentrations in key areas. Specifically students will choose between two program format options. 

Students can choose between either a 2-concentration track or a 3-concentration track. WNMU allows students to build concentrations around any other existing degree track programs. This level of academic freedom is virtually unparalleled and allows students to truly build unique degree programs. 

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15. Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University (TCU) is unique in that it looks to preserve traditional chrisitan values in modern educational philosophies. Particularly in the TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts was founded way back in 1869 on the idea of providing students simultaneous cultivation and advancement–both as students and as men and women. 

The TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts offers a fully online Master of Liberal Arts program designed to accommodate both lifelong learners and ambitious professionals looking to broaden their intellectual horizons. Students will choose from a catalogue of research opportunities and electives to build expertise in targeted areas. 

Some examples of course topics include: world cultures, the American cinema, parapsychology, music history, or the American West. Research projects provide the additional depth and flexibility for students to establish expertise outside of available electives. 

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16. Union Institute and University

Union Institute and University offers students avenues for professional advancement and intellectual empowerment. Few universities boast a vision that is so innately aligned with the core tenets of liberal arts philosophy. At Union students learn from faculty who challenge students to see issues from new cross-cultural perspectives to engage in creative problem solving. 

Union’s Online Master’s program is designed to jumpstart students’ careers through meaningful coursework. Union graduate students will learn from expert faculty who have real-world professional experience, who dip into cutting-edge research to inform students’ direction of study. For students looking to stay on top of industry trends and needs, Union is a great option. 

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17. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma (UO) Extended Campus leverages the extensive academic resources of the University of Oklahoma to offer world class online education to students from countries around the globe. UO Extended Campus is built around six central values: quality, integrity, innovation, inclusivity, student-focus, and service-focus. 

UO Extended Campus offers a Master of Arts in Integrated Studies that is designed to employ graduate level analysis to explore various disciplines and topics of research. Students of the program will become particularly skillful in academic and analytical writing. Students will write about various theoretical, historical, and cultural issues to glean valuable conclusions. 

Students will progress through coursework in the following topics:

• Research methods in interdisciplinary studies
• Addressing diversity in the United States
• Volunteering in the 21st century
• Interdisciplinary studies foundations
• Cultural communication in leadership
• Volunteer management

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18. Kent State University

Kent State University Online is a pioneer of online education and distance learning programs. Kent State Online offered its first online degree program more than 15 years ago, and today offers more than 60 program options. Kent State Online services students from around the globe with flexible programs that can be engaged anytime or anywhere. 

Kent State Online students can earn a Master of Liberal Studies through the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for Comparative and Integrative Programs. This program is arguably the most flexible program on this list. Students are only required to take one preformatted course–just one! 

The remainder of coursework is chosen from an extensive catalogue of electives and research projects. This flexibility allows students to pursue virtually any line of study in order to build a targeted professional expertise. The program consists of 30 credit hours with class start-dates in January, May, and August. 

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19. Adams State University

Adams State University is built around the concept of the “Adams Experience,” which refers to the idea that a true education isn’t bound by classroom walls–it occurs when students engage with the world around them and integrate into their lives what’s being learned in the classroom. The “Adams Experience” will be of particular interest to students who wish to enroll in a program authentically rooted in liberal arts philosophy. 

While not a traditional liberal arts degree path, Adams State University offers a Master of Arts in Public Administration. Coursework is largely organized around core liberal arts concepts and theories, but with the foundational commitment to grooming students for positions of leadership in the public-services sector. 

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20. University of Toledo

UToledo Online has been servicing distance learners for more than 20 years and today offers more than 50 fully online degrees and certifications. These programs are designed to accommodate working students and adult learners who will benefit most from being able to complete coursework anytime or anywhere. Programs are designed to be innately flexible with fewer coursework requirements than other schools so that students can focus on topics that are most valuable in the context of individual career goals. 

This is particularly true of UToledo’s Online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students will engage in broad course topics that provide opportunities for research and exploration in student-centric projects. Students can build toward specialization by organizing projects to reflect professional aspirations and career goals. Course topics include the social sciences, visual and performing arts, natural sciences, the humanities, and interdisciplinary research methods. 

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The post The 20 Best Online Masters in Liberal Arts Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What is America? It’s a nation like so many others, sure, but it’s one with such a complicated and unique history, culture, and personality that you could truly spend a lifetime trying to define and understand it. As a matter of fact, some people do!

American Studies is an entire academic discipline devoted to deeply understanding the remarkable, troubled, and unique thing that is the United States of America, from its folklore and to its urban idioms and ideals, to its place in the modern world. Most of all, this field asks what American culture is all about and what it means to be an American. This interdisciplinary and big-picture thinking makes American Studies a truly broad and fascinating field. And it’s one in which no question is too wild to ask. Scholars in American studies pose questions like “what would society be like if we had lost World War I?” or “How has fast food changed the way American families operate?” or even “What do zombie moves and shows tell us about American political fears?”

If you’re a critical thinker who loves exploring narratives, perspectives, experiences, and histories from America’s past and present, you may be considering a degree in American Studies. And like any American Studies scholar, you’re probably considering the big picture- in this case, by asking, “what can I do with a degree in American Studies?” After all, this is not a degree with a clear-cut career path, or even a straightforward curriculum. Before you jump in, you’ll want to answer questions like, “what jobs can I get with a degree in American Studies?” “What classes will I take for an American Studies Degree?” and “Can I earn a degree in American Studies Online?”

Our comprehensive guide to What Can I Do with an American Studies Degree? has answers to these and other relevant questions, all backed by the latest reports and statistics on the field. Read on to get oriented to one of the most unique and fascinating humanities fields out there.

Jump To:

• What is American Studies?
• How is American Studies Different from American History or Sociology?
• What Degrees in American Studies are There?
• What is American Studies?
• What Will I Learn with an American Studies Degree?
• What Can I do with an Associate’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a Master’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a PhD in American Studies?
• Can I Earn a Degree in American Studies Online?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in American Studies?

What is American Studies?

American Studies is often defined as an interdisciplinary field of scholarship which covers topics in American history, culture, and society. Scholarship in this area draws on the study of American history, literature, society, and critical theory, along with other research methods. American Studies concerns itself with questions of American identity, mythology, and values, both past and present. It views all of these through different lenses, including gender, ethnicity, politics, and class. As an interdisciplinary field, it incorporates studies in English, history, film history, music/art history, sociology, anthropology, and political science.

This discipline is one of the newest major fields in the humanities; the field of American Studies dates back less than 100 years. Vernon Louis Parrington is generally considered to have been the founder of American studies, with the publication of “Main Currents in American Thought.” This large, three-volume treatise combined the methodologies of literary criticism and historical research and won him the 1928 Pulitzer Prize. His work inspired Henry Nash Smith to earn a Ph.D. through the interdisciplinary program at Harvard in “History and American Civilization,” the first of its kind, in 1940. This set a precedent for the modern American Studies program, and thus, Nash and Parrington are considered to be the co-founders of Americans Studies as a discipline.

The field has evolved quite a bit since its (fairly recent) beginnings. Early scholars were focused on the recurring symbols in American literature, culture, and art that seemed to suggest a unique form of myth and imagination in the American experience. Later scholars moved away from this idea of “American Exceptionalism,” or the idea that American occupies a special place in the world that is fundamentally different from other nations. Today’s American Studies scholars are more interested in topics like the impact of race, gender and sexuality, and international and transnational concerns on the American experience and popular culture.

How is American Studies Different from American History or Sociology?

If you’re interested in America and American culture, you may be wondering how American Studies differs from related academic disciplines. This is a common question with interdisciplinary fields, which draw on several areas at once to create a blended program.

The fields most closely related to American Studies are American History and Sociology. American History, of course, looks back at the events that led to the nation’s founding, and what has occurred between then and now. American history also asks about how past events have shaped the present day America and what the future may hold. Sociology is the study of society, including the behavior of communities, the impact of society on the individual, and the forces that shape the values and behaviors of groups. American Studies is focused on American culture, which, naturally, is shaped by the course of history and forces of American society.

American Studies can be seen as occupying the overlap between American History and sociology in America. But this field is more than a blend of these two disciplines- American Studies also draws on English, film/music/art history, anthropology, and political science. Within and related to the larger field of American Studies, there are also more specific areas like African-American Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies, etc., that look more closely at the experiences of specific groups.

What Degrees in American Studies are There?

Over 300 US colleges and universities offer American Studies programs. As with most disciplines, you can earn a degree in American Studies at the associate’s, bachelor’s master’s or PhD level. And, like a degree in Liberal Arts, an American Studies degree is blended and flexible, leading to careers like lawyer, librarian, business exec, journalist, researcher, curator, archivist, professor, and politician.

Needless to say, the degree level you choose to pursue will depend on your own priorities, resources, and goals. A higher degree will take more time and work to earn, and is a great fit if you’re interested in work in academia. An undergraduate degree can be a step on your path to a graduate degree, or you can earn an undergraduate degree in American Studies as a way to enter the workforce with a well-rounded set of critical thinking and communication skills.

Quite a few notable public figures and celebrities have earned a degree in American Studies, from a bachelor’s (Janeane Garofalo) to a PhD (Tom Wolf). The diversity of their high-profile careers goes to show just how flexible this degree can be. A few highlights include:

• Janeane Garofalo (comedian and actress)
• Maria Owings Shriver (activist and journalist)
• Bill Ayers (theorist and activist)
• Tom Pettit (news correspondent)
• Maya Angelou (author and poet)
• Tom Wolfe (author and critic)
• Jennifer Beals (actress)
• Katie Couric (news anchor)
• Kay Hagen (US Senator)
• Mary Chapin Carpenter (singer, songwriter)
• John Sandford (mystery novelist)

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in American Studies?

Plenty of academic disciplines out there have their share of interesting classes. But it’s truly hard to beat the selection of unusual, stimulating and just plain cool course titles you’ll encounter in an American Studies Degree Program. That’s because American Studies is all about looking at American Culture- from past to present, from refined to crass- through an academic lens. In an American Studies course catalog, you’ll find many topics covering critical examination of ethnicity, pop culture, and everyday life in America. Of course, with such diverse and unique offerings, that means a lot of variety in classes exists between colleges, and new ones crop up frequently to address emerging issues.

A few noteworthy Americans Studies classes offered at US colleges include:

• Race, Class & American Film
• Spoken Word & Slam Poetry
• Queer Activism
• The Zombie Films of George Romero
• Black Public Intellectuals
• Conspiracy Theories
• Native Americans in Film
• Disney in America
• Black Popular Music
• The American Vacation
• American Political Humor
• Sport and Inequality
• Gothic America
• The Civil Rights Movement
• Drugs and Popular Culture
• Baseball in America

What Will I Learn with an American Studies Degree?

With all these diverse, fascinating, and sometimes fun classes, you may be wondering what you’ll actually learn with a degree in American Studies. Don’t worry- you won’t just walk away from an American Studies degree program with a ton of trivia and facts about America. As a recent article in The Guardian noted, an American Studies degree program actually trains students in skills that have real-world and workplace relevance.

In an American Studies degree, you’ll gain:

• Critical thinking skills
• Mastery of research methodology
• Experience in solving complex problems
• The ability to perceive the “big picture”
• Clear communication

What Can I do with an Associate’s in American Studies?

An associate’s degree is best thought of as the starting point for an American Studies bachelor’s degree. This two-year program provides a foundation in the basics of American Studies, with introductions to the fundamental theories and historical background of American Culture. An associate’s degree is a stand-alone degree, but the credits earned in an associate’s program can also be applied towards a bachelor’s degree.

In fact, this is how most associate’s degree students in the liberal arts and humanities (which includes American studies) choose to approach their educational path. Unlike an associate’s in a professional field, such as dental hygiene, an associates in the humanities doesn’t provide training in specific hard job skills. And while soft skills like communication and problem-solving have real workplace value, most employers are looking to hire job candidates with these skills for higher-level roles (such as management), and tend to prefer those with a bachelor’s degree.

One reason to start your degree path with an associate’s is to save money. You can earn an associate’s degree at an affordable local community college, then transfer credits to a state or private university to complete a bachelors. Many community colleges even hold articulation agreements with local universities, which makes transferring credits relatively seamless.

What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in American Studies?

A bachelor of arts (BA) in American Studies provides a well-rounded general education, with an emphasis on American Studies. A bachelor of arts is a degree designed to produce well-rounded graduates who are knowledgeable about the world, and who are capable of strong communication, critical analysis, ethical decision-making, and collaboration. This degree includes a robust general education component- required classes in math, science, history, and language, along with classes selected from within the American Studies major.

To earn a bachelor’s in American Studies, you’ll generally need to complete 120 semester hour credits, which works out to around 40 college courses. This typically takes a total of four years (or two if you have already completed an associate’s in American Studies). This pace will be slower if you’re enrolled on a part-time basis, and may be faster if you’re enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s program.

With a bachelor’s in American Studies, you’ll have the well-rounded knowledge base and soft skills required to excel in positions in media, marketing, political administration, and publishing. You’ll also have the basis in communication, problem-solving, and collaboration required for positions in management.

What Can I do with a Master’s in American Studies?

As The Guardian has noted, some 8% of American Studies graduates went on to pursue higher education degrees in 2009. Of these, the majority chose to study full time, while 2% opted for a teaching qualification and 6.5% combined paid working with studying. A master’s degree in American Studies is an excellent choice for those who want to refine their knowledge, specialize in a particular topic, or eventually move into academia.

To earn a master’s degree in American Studies, you’ll need to hold a bachelors degree, though it need not be in the field of American Studies, and a related bachelor’s like humanities, communication, or history would be perfectly fine. It typically takes two years to earn a master’s degree on a full-time basis. For a master’s in American Studies, you’ll have no general education requirements, and will focus solely on topics in the discipline. You’ll be required to complete a research-based thesis and may have the option to specialize in a particular area of emphasis, such as African American Music or Appalachian folklore.

With a master’s degree in American Studies, you’ll be well-qualified for higher-level positions within fields like publishing, broadcasting, advertising, banking, and librarianship. A master’s degree will also allow you to teach at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level as an associate professor.

What Can I do with a PhD in American Studies?

If you ask most people “what can I do with a degree in American Studies?” their answer will be “Teach American Studies!” As we’ve shown, there’s a lot more to the field than that, but there’s a nugget of truth in this punch line as well. Plenty of people do earn an American Studies degree because they want to teach in this field. To teach American Studies at the college level, you’ll really want to earn an American Studies PhD.

A PhD is a terminal degree- you can’t earn anything higher. This degree is required for positions in research and academic, and is the standard for tenure-track positions as an Ameri can Studies professor. This is a rarefied field, of course- there simply aren’t a lot of job openings for university-level American Studies instructors, and you may have to wait around a while for one to open up. In the meantime, you can teach as an associate professor, or in an “alternative academic” career, such as administration, museums, non-profits, and government positions, and sites such as The Versatile PhD offer graduates in this position resources for alternative academic careers.

Can I Earn a Degree in American Studies Online?

It’s possible, and practical, to earn an American Studies degree through online classes. Most students who choose to follow this degree path opt for a bachelor’s in American Studies, and earn theirs while working part-time or full-time. An online American Studies degree is an excellent choice for those with work or family obligations who are looking to avoid spending their limited time on commuting and who would like to complete their courses on a flexible schedule. Most online degrees offer course content through asynchronous (on-demand_ course models like recorded lectures, along with some scheduled components like video conferences, live chats, and group collaborations.

Another common reason to opt for an online American Studies degree is simply availability. Unlike say, English or Nursing, not every school offers American Studies, or has a strong American Studies Department. If you are interested majoring in the subject but live an area where the local school doesn’t offer American Studies, you’ll need to choose between selecting a different major, relocating, or selecting an online American Studies Degree.

What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in American Studies?

In a professional degree program, it’s easy to tell what you’ll be doing once you graduate. You may gain a certification or licensure that makes your skills easy to market, or even get a job through a school internship. But a degree in American Studies is less about providing students with job-ready skills and more about preparing them to be well-rounded thinkers and problem solvers. Fortunately, there are plenty of jobs that require those abilities, and these span a broad spectrum.

Jobs associated with an American Studies degree include:

• lawyer
• librarian
• business executive
• journalist
• researcher
• curator
• archivist
• fundraiser
• teacher
• college professor
• nonprofit
• entrepreneur
• activist
• diplomat
• politician

In fact, the majority of those with an American Studies degree work in a related area like journalism, law or publishing, rather than in the American Studies field itself. This is the case for most liberal arts degrees, which are flexible by design. If you’re curious about current openings in the field that are specific to American Studies, The American Studies Association maintains a resource page for opportunities and jobs with a degree in American studies.

With this degree, changing between fields may also be easier than if you’ve earned a more technical degree, since your highly-developed soft skills like communication and critical thinking have broader applications. With this degree, you can find work in settings as diverse as:

• university
• library
• museum
• news journal or network
• publishing entity
• private business
• non-profit organization
• government agency

In short, an American Studies Degree offers a broad range of options, but no clear-cut career path. And you may find that you’ll need to help connect the dots for potential employers, helping them to understand how your American Studies degree program has taught you workplace-relevant skills. Depending on your perspective and how much structure you want from your degree, this open-ended quality can be a serious drawback, or a liberating and attractive feature of an American Studies degree.

Further Reading:

• What Can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America
• 50 Best Online Associate’s Degrees 2019
• 25 Fastest Online Associate’s Degrees
• 15 Affordable Degrees in Dental Hygiene (Associate’s and Beyond)
• 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Top 50 Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs for 2019
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs
• What Degree Do I Need to Be a Curator?
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 201
• What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?
• 20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

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