American Culture Studies, Graduate Certificate

To earn a graduate certificate at Washington University, a student must be currently enrolled in an applicable Washington University PhD program; apply and be accepted to the graduate certificate program; complete all courses required by the academic unit offering the certificate; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply for program completion (graduation) via Workday Student. Graduate certificates are not standalone programs and are only available to current students in applicable Arts & Sciences doctoral programs. Thus, graduate certificates are conferred at the same time as the student’s PhD. 

Program Requirements

• Total Units Required: 15
• Certificate Length: Varies. Students must complete all certificate requirements within PhD program length.
  • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their coursework, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.
• Grade Requirement: B or higher

Required Courses

The Graduate Certificate in American Culture Studies is awarded to students who complete the PhD in an Arts & Sciences department and who satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete 15 credits of coursework, structured as follows and in consultation/cooperation with the student's primary (PhD) program of study:
  • The core seminar AMCS 6000 Introduction to American Culture Studies (3 units)
  • Two multidisciplinary courses (6 credits) on American topics (5000 level or higher) designed in explicitly multidisciplinary terms; courses that satisfy this requirement will be determined in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies
  • Two extradepartmental courses (6 credits) on American topics (5000 level or higher) based in fields that complement coursework in the student's primary (PhD) program of study, to be determined in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies
• Routine consultation with the AMCS Director of Graduate Studies in addition to consultation with the student's principal PhD advisor.
• Completion of a PhD dissertation in the PhD program of study with the AMCS faculty advisor often serving as one of the "outside" readers on the oral defense committee and the dissertation defense committee.
• Maintenance of good standing within the AMCS program through regular participation in program functions and events.
  • Americanist Forums. Attendance at the monthly colloquium series is expected with exceptions considered related to residency, leaves, fieldwork, and dissertation research.

Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in AMCS have the opportunity to teach a course in AMCS. To be eligible to teach for AMCS, students must have completed the certificate and their PhD program of study's Mentored Experience Requirement. Interested students should contact the AMCS DGS to learn about the process for proposing a course. Course planning should begin well in advance; we recommend that students begin talking with the AMCS DGS and their PhD advisor at least one year prior to the semester in which they hope to teach.

For more information about program activities and requirements, please visit our Graduate Studies webpage.