American Studies

Web: as.nyu.edu/americanstudies
Email: amstudies@nyu.edu
Degrees and Fields of Study
Ph.D.
- American Studies
Ph.D.-J.D. (Dual Degree)
- American Studies/Law
Applicants intending to pursue a terminal M.A. degree should refer to the program in Social and Cultural Analysis.
Note: The field of study descriptions may not exactly match the actual program name on the degree that is conferred. Please refer to the GSAS Bulletin section Degree and Certificate Programs as Registered by the New York State Education Department for the actual program name and degree conferred.
Application Deadlines
- December 18, fall only admission
For Ph.D. -J.D. Dual Degree applicants, students will submit TWO SEPARATE APPLICATIONS, a Ph.D. application by December 18 to American Studies, and a J.D. application per the Law School deadlines. **Please consult the NYU Law Admissions site for the most up-to-date information on Law School application deadlines.
All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date. If an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal U.S. holiday, then the next business day will be the deadline date.
Application Requirements for American Studies
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit a complete application for admission. A complete application includes the online application, academic transcripts, test scores (if required), letters of recommendation, a résumé or curriculum vitae, a Statement of Academic Purpose, and an application fee. Applicants also have the option of providing a short Personal History essay. Please refer to the Instructions section of the online application. In addition, the department specifically requires the following:
GRE: GRE general test not required. Please do not send us GRE test scores. If you do, the scores will not be reviewed or considered by the department's Admissions Committee.
TOEFL or IELTS: Either the TOEFL or the IELTS is required of all applicants who are not native English speakers or who do not have a bachelor's or master's degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English. See test score requirements.
Statement of Academic Purpose: In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.
Writing Sample: A writing sample of sociocultural analysis is required. It may be a term paper, excerpt from an undergraduate or graduate thesis, published article, or other example of academic writing, and should indicate your capacity for interdisciplinary study and research. Your entire writing sample should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages. (Bibliography/end notes/figures are exclusive of page count.)
The Graduate School of Arts and Science reserves the right to change this information at any time. This document supersedes all previous versions.
Last updated September 22, 2021.
Back to Programs, Requirements and Deadlines