Please Note: The application period for Fall 2013 is now CLOSED. Applications are being accepted for Fall 2014.
How to Apply
Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2014 academic year (August 2014 through May 2015). The deadline for these applications is January 10, 2014. Evaluation of the applications will begin approximately the end of January 2014. To apply for admission to the American studies M.A. or Ph.D. program:
- Fill out the Graduate School's Request Information form, indicating your intended degree under "Graduate Area of Interest."
- Review the Graduate School's admission page and American studies degree page. Note what information is submitted through the online application and what must be submitted to the Graduate School under separate cover.
- If you have not already done so, create a CollegeNET account. Log in and begin your application. You can save a partially completed application and return to it later.
- On the application's fourth screen, you will need to select your intended program of study. Look for American studies under the "Liberal Arts" heading. Once this has been selected, the application requirements specific to American studies will be available on the fifth screen.
There is a $75 application fee, payable to the Graduate School. All applicants must complete all parts of the online application form, including information on whether or not you are seeking a teaching and/or research assistantship.
Graduate School Mailing Addresses
| Via USPS | Via FedEx, UPS, or other shipping method |
|---|---|
| Graduate School Washington State University P.O. Box 641030 Pullman, WA 99164-1030 |
WSU Graduate School 1815 NE Wilson Rd. French Administration Bldg., Room 324 Pullman, WA 99164 |
International Students
Please see the international enrollment page and the international student checklist for additional information.
Applicants who attended school outside the United States or Canada must submit: Transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, or examination results, along with degreee certificates from all higher education institutions attended outside the United States or Canada. When sending official transcripts from schools located in non-English speaking countries, have each institution submit both the English translation plus an original language record.
TOEFL Scores
TOEFL scores should be sent to the WSU Graduate School (address above) directly from the Educational Testing Service.
Criteria for Evaluating Applications
The American studies program will evaluate your application based on the following, listed in rough order of importance:
- Writing Sample
A recent sample of scholarly or critical writing (15–20 pages). - A Statement of Purpose
Describe your intellectual areas of interest, and why you believe the American studies program at WSU is a good place for you to pursue those interests. Also mention any foreign language preparation you have had as well as any teaching experience (if you are applying for a teaching assistantship). - Three Letters of Recommendation
Request letters on academic letterhead from persons capable of evaluating your qualifications for graduate study, professional potential, and, if applying for a teaching assistantship, your abilities as a teacher. These will now be available to our evaluators in electronic format. - Academic Transcripts
Your most recent undergraduate and/or relevant graduate transcripts. - Standardized Test Scores (optional)
Neither the GRE nor any other standardized test is a requirement for admission to the American studies program, but students may choose to send such test results if they are taking them for the purposes of other applications. - Language Proficiency (for international students)
Please have TOEFL scores sent to the WSU Graduate School (address above) directly from the Educational Testing Service.
More Information
If you have any questions about the American studies graduate program or the application process, please e-mail or call us
Rose Smetana,
Academic Coordinator rsmetana@wsu.edu
(509)335-0012