Coursework should be interdisciplinary. Graduate students must do the following while pursuing the PhD:

• Four core courses: (8201, 8202, 8401, 8801)
• Three one-semester courses from the American Studies specialty seminars
• One comparative culture course covering international or non-U.S. subjects
• Field of Concentration consists of seven adviser-approved courses, one of which must be a cultural pluralism course
• 24 thesis credits are also required

The American Studies Preliminary Examination consists of three components: 1) the Field of Concentration Paper, 2) the Orals Preparation Paper (Together these are the Preliminary Written Examination.), and 3) an oral review (Preliminary Oral Examination). Exams will be individually tailored to each student's program.

Students carrying a full-time load generally take three years to complete course work, and two years to complete the dissertation. It is possible, but difficult, to complete this degree in a total of four years. Students are allowed five years after preliminary exams to write and defend the dissertation.