The University of Iowa’s graduate program in American Studies--offering Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees--provides an interdisciplinary introduction to American culture and society, past and present.

Students acquire a broad familiarity with the dynamics of cultural experience and explore aspects of American life, including: popular and fine arts; institutions and social processes; artifacts; values, customs, and ideals; the everyday experience of Americans; regional, racial, ethnic, class, or gender identities; nature and culture; and sport and popular entertainment.

Courses and seminars in American Studies focus on significant cultural problems that traverse traditional departmental lines. The Department offers a sub-track specializing in Sport Studies.

Learn about the application process.

Email Laura Rigal, Director of Graduate Studies.

Following is a sampling of where our graduate students have ended up.

• Alabama State University
• Auburn University
• Augustana College
• Bard High School Early College
• Boston Medical Center
• Boston University
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Brucemore Mansion
• Cal State-Fullerton
• Capella University
• Cedar Falls Historical Society
• Chicago White Sox
• Coe College
• College du Leman
• DePaul University
• Dillard University
• The Drawing Legion Arts Center
• Duke University
• Eastern Oregon University
• Frostburg State University
• Franklin & Marshall College
• Grinnell College
• Hamilton College
• Hampton University
• Harvard University
• Historic New England
• Indiana University
• Iowa State Historical Society
• Iowa State University
• Kansas State Historical Museum
• Kirkwood College
• Laurel School
• Macalester College
• McKendree University
• Messiah College
• Miami University
• Middlebury College
• Minnesota State University
• National Archives
• Northland College
• Ohio State University
• Old Sturbridge Village
• Oslo & Akershus University College of Applied Sciences
• Portland State University
• Princeton University
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Rice University
• Rockefeller Archive Center
• Salisbury State University
• Skidmore College
• Smithsonian Institution
• Southern Methodist University
• Stanford University
• Temple University
• Texas Tech University
• The Academy at Charlemont
• Towson University
• University of Alabama
• University of Alberta
• University of Arizona
• University of Arkansas
• University of Chicago
• University of Dubuque
• University of Florida
• University of Hawaii
• University of Houston
• University of Iowa
• University of Kentucky
• University of Louisville
• University of Maryland, College Park
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri
• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• University of Northern Iowa
• Univeristy of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Presov
• University of Stirling
• University of Texas@Dallas
• University of Utah
• University of Wisconsin at Green Bay
• University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
• University of Wisconsin at Madison
• University of Southern California
• University of Wyoming
• Valparaiso University
• Wabah College
• Wake Forest
• Western Kentucky University

A number of our students have gone on to Fulbright appointments after finishing their degrees, including in Korea, France, Sweden, and Germany.