Cultural Studies, PhD

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Banner Code: LA-PHD-CULT

The doctoral program in cultural studies is offered by the Cultural Studies Program .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the doctoral program in cultural students must already have earned a master’s degree in a relevant field. Students with only a bachelor’s degree should apply to a master’s program in a department that has an established related master’s degree. See the Cultural Studies Program for more information.

In addition to materials required of all applicants for graduate study at Mason, applicants to cultural studies should submit the following:

Scores on the GRE (general test is required; subject tests are optional)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the applicant’s scholarly potential
Statement of purpose
Writing sample demonstrating scholarly potential

Degree Requirements

As with all doctoral programs, the emphasis in this program is on the development of intellectual mastery and professional competence. The most important requirements are comprehensive exams and completion of a doctoral thesis that reflects the student’s ability to do original interdisciplinary work that meets professional standards. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language before being permitted to defend the doctoral dissertation proposal.

Students pursuing the doctorate in cultural studies must complete 48 credits beyond the master’s degree.

Three core courses (9 credits):

CULT 802 - Histories of Cultural Studies Credits: 3
CULT 806 - Research Seminar in Cultural Studies Credits: 3
CULT 808 - Student/Faculty Colloquium in Cultural Studies Credits: 1

Note:

Students must register for CULT 808 a minimum of 3 times.

One course (3 credits) in theory chosen from:

CULT 810 - Culture and Political Economy Credits: 3
CULT 814 - Gender and Sexuality Credits: 3
CULT 820 - After Colonialism: Race, Ethnicity, Nationalism Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in a topic chosen from:

CULT 812 - Visual and Performance Culture Credits: 3
CULT 816 - Science/Technology Credits: 3
CULT 818 - Social Institutions Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in methodology

Students choose a course in a relevant methodology in which they are not already trained from departmental graduate offerings (600 level or above) under the guidance of faculty advisory committees.

Field Requirements (18 credits)

Students must take a minimum of 3 courses in two fields. Under the guidance of faculty advisory committees, students select two fields that point topically and theoretically toward teaching interests, dissertation research, and related forms of professional development. Students select relevant courses from theory or topic courses not used to fulfill the previous requirements or from special topics courses. As part of the minimum 9-credit field requirement, students must take a 3-credit directed readings course, CULT 870, in each field with that field’s primary advisor. Students demonstrate competence in each field by producing and orally defending a field statement that consists of a comprehensive, critical literature review.

Oral defense

Oral defense of two written field statements (See Field Requirements section above)

Proficiency in a foreign language

Dissertation research (12 credits):

CULT 998 - Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Credits: 1-6
CULT 999 - Doctoral Dissertation Credits: 1-12

Advancement to Candidacy

To advance to candidacy, students must complete all course work required on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully complete two written field statements and pass an oral comprehensive exam based on them.

Continuous Registration

Students are required to register for a minimum of 3 credits of 998 or 999 each semester until they have completed the minimum number of credits of 998 and 999 required on their program of study. Once enrolled in 998, a student must maintain continuous registration in 998 or 999 each semester until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Library.