This graduate certificate is a multi-disciplinary inquiry into the history, literature, art, politics, religion, sociology and culture of the United States from its origins to the present. This interdisciplinary approach to culture and society is valuable not only as part of a general liberal arts education but is of particular importance in our increasingly multicultural society. This certificate exposes students to the foundations of American history and culture with particular attention to issues of race, gender, class and the formation of American identity. Primary and secondary sources are taken from multimedia from historical archives to modern film to advertising to architectural objects to performance art. Students will further develop their graduate level analytic and writing abilities as well as their advanced research skills.

Program Delivery and Tuition Rate

This certificate is delivered through online courses and is billed at the non-MBA rate.

Admission 

Admission to this graduate certificate program is not competitive. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Application Requirements 

A complete application includes: 

• Official transcripts with proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree 

Start Terms 

This program admits new students in the: 

• Fall 
• Spring 
• Summer 

Deadlines 

Application deadlines do change from term to term. For specific deadlines, please see the Graduate Admissions Deadline page. 

How to Apply 

To apply, visit the SUNY Empire application portal and select Graduate: https://www.sunyempire.edu/application.html 

Students may begin this 12-credit certificate in the fall, spring or summer terms. The required courses (LACS 6050 and LACS 6055) and some suggested electives, are listed in the table below. Students should work with their advisor to determine the appropriate electives and enrollment sequencing.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LACS 6050	Seminar in American Studies	3
LACS 6055	American Studies: Theories & Methods	3
One elective in American culture, arts and history such as:		3
LACS 6180	American History Culture & the Arts
LACS 6190	American Modernism
LACS 6090	Culture of the Jazz Age
Plus one elective in American racial and ethnic diversity or American gender and sexuality such as:		3
LACS 6270	Race and Gender in US History since the Civil War
LACS 6100	Diagnosing Desire: Gender & Medicine in US History
LACS 6330	Women & Humor
LACS 6195	American Women Writers
Total Credits		12

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Articulate the theories and methods of American Studies as a discipline over time.
• Examine questions of American identity.
• Articulate issues of racial and ethnic diversity, class difference, and issues of gender and sexuality.
• Broaden cultural literacy in areas of popular culture, material and visual culture, the arts, media, literature, and history.
• Demonstrate graduate level research, writing and analytic abilities.