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1: At least one course each in American History and American Literature for a total of three courses.

2: At least two courses in American Studies.

3: At least three courses in another discipline.

4: A maximum of six credits of Master's Thesis Research (AMS 899).

5: A successful oral examination in defense of the thesis. The oral exam, administered by at least three regular faculty members, must be scheduled within the semester in which graduation in anticipated.

2: At least two courses in American Studies.

3: At least six elective credits.

4: At least three courses in another discipline or thematic cognate, or vocational area, such as the following:

Disciplines: anthropology, history of art, journalism, political science, philosophy, sociology, women's studies
Themes traced across disciplines: multicultural and ethnic studies (such as African-American, Chicano, Native-American, Asian-American, and Jewish-American studies) popular culture, science and technology studies.
Vocational designs involving management skills: material culture, historic preservation, museum studies.

5: A successful oral examination certifying the completion of the project. The oral exam, administered by at least three regular faculty members, must be scheduled within the semester in which graduation in anticipated.

All M.A. students are required to enroll for their own courses; however, course selections should always take place in close consultation with the American Studies Director, who serves as the advisor for all M.A. students.

1. A student who fails to meet the standards set by the program may, on the recommendation of the program, be required by the College of Arts and Letters to withdraw at the end of any semester. The grades required for course credit toward the master's degree are set by the Program, subject to the approval of the College of Arts and Letters. The minimum standard is a 3.00 grade-point average. The accumulation of more than 6 credits below a 3.00 in course work removes the student from candidacy for the degree.
2. The minimum residence required by the University is 6 credits on campus. Because of limited library facilities off campus, students should expect that most of the work toward their degree will be conducted in East Lansing. Before taking off-campus courses intended to apply to a degree program, students should (1) be admitted to graduate work in American Studies, and (2) consult the Program's Director to make sure the projected courses are acceptable in their program.
3. A maximum of 9 semester credits, if completed within the time limit for the degree, may be transferred from other accredited graduate schools on approval of the Program and the College.
4. The time limit for completion of the Master's degree is six years from the beginning of the first term in which credit was earned toward the degree.
5. Graduate students may in most cases carry up to 16 credits each term; the normal load is 6 to 9 credits.
6. All students using University services for graduate work must be registered during that semester. Minimum registration consists of one course or 1 credit of master's thesis research.
7. Rules and regulations concerning the Master's Thesis:
   1. The thesis must be organized, typed, duplicated, and bound according to regulations prescribed in the Graduate School Guide to the Preparation of Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations, available from the Office of the Graduate School. An abstract of the thesis not exceeding 150 words must also be prepared.
   2. The student must submit to The Office of the Graduate School a final unbound copy of the thesis and abstract by the deadline specified in the current Schedule of Courses. The student must also supply an additional copy of the abstract, the microfilming and binding contract, the microfilming and binding receipt, and forms required by The Graduate School.