American Studies, B.A. to M.A. Accelerated Program

The American studies accelerated bachelor's/master's program at Saint Louis University offers outstanding American studies majors the opportunity to begin an M.A. program in their senior year, completing the M.A. with a full-time fifth year of graduate study after their successful completion of both the first-year requirements and their undergraduate degree and major.

SLU's American studies major, like most humanities majors, requires 30 credits of coursework, and the M.A. requires an additional 30 credits. By counting four graduate courses, or 12 credits, for both degrees, students earn the requisite 30 credits in only 12 to 14 months after receiving their bachelor's degree.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

American Studies, B.A. 

American Studies, M.A.

Admission Requirements

Students may indicate an interest to their faculty mentor or the department chair at any time in their sophomore or first semester of their junior years. Applications are due by the department's annual graduate application deadline of December 15, and must be made using the application form available under the "Undergraduate Student Resources" heading on the College of Arts and Sciences website.

Requirements for admission are as follows:

• Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 hours toward the bachelor's degree by the end of the junior year, and 105 hours by the end of the fall semester of the senior year. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 30 hours at SLU.
• Applicants should have an overall GPA of 3.7 in their American Studies major.
• Applications should Include a goals statement, a writing sample, and the College of Arts and Sciences admission form. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Program Requirements

Students in the accelerated program can count up to 12 credits at the graduate level their senior year that will count for both their bachelor's and master's degrees. 

Continuation Standards

Qualifying Exam

Performance Review

In order to advance to the full-time MA year after the conferral of the BA, students must receive at least a B in graduate courses taken as an undergraduate, clear any incomplete grades on their undergraduate transcripts, and pass their qualifying exam.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

For additional information regarding admissions and graduate programs in American studies, please email american.studies@slu.edu or call 314-977-2911 and ask to be directed to the graduate coordinator.