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Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in American Studies?
American Studies (AMS) offers an interdisciplinary program of study that examines American culture—past and present—in global context. Students come away with the intellectual skills and perspective necessary to understand, contextualize, and critically engage the opportunities and challenges of our dynamic and diverse world. More importantly, they gain a broad contextual perspective that paves the way for meaningful and effective engagement in professional work and public life. Employers and graduate programs want students who are creative problem solvers, flexible thinkers, and effective communicators. American Studies incorporates multiple perspectives ranging from traditional disciplines such as history, literature, political science, geography, and art to more interdisciplinary fields such as popular culture, consumerism and mass media, urban studies, ethnic studies, and global studies. The curriculum fosters lateral and creative thinking, interdisciplinary research and synthetic analysis, strong writing and oral presentation skills, interpretive approaches to multiple kinds of media and texts, broad understanding of social, cultural, and historical contexts, and intercultural knowledge and awareness.
Interests
American Studies is a flexible major that guides students in building their own intellectual focus. It caters to students who are interested in analyzing issues in a broad context rather than from one particular perspective. Specifically, American Studies appeals to students who have wide ranging interests and like to make connections between diverse events, topics, and expressions. The curriculum encourages students to come at issues from multiple sides and creatively combine fields of study and interests. By developing integrative interpretive skills, pursuing an individualized intellectual program, working closely with American studies faculty, developing creative research projects, and participating in internships and independent studies, students gain the skills and perspective needed to define and shape their own intellectual and professional goals. American Studies students have gone on to pursue careers in advertising, sales, business management, marketing, public relations, government and public sector work, media, and education. They have received professional graduate degrees in law, journalism, library science, museum studies, and business. And they have taken graduate degrees in academic fields such as history, literature, and American Studies.
Competencies
- Project Development Skills
- Conceptualizing projects
Designing/directing projects
Organizing ideas/information
Assessing needs/interest
Evaluating
Planning
Translating theory into action - Interpersonal/Cross-Cultural Skills
- Leading/participating in diverse groups
Comparing cultures/societies
Developing sensitivity to/understanding of differing viewpoints Working within organizations
Coordinating committees - Creativity
- Developing/generating ideas
Developing new perspectives
Synthesizing multiple perspectives - Research/Analytical Skills
- Developing hypotheses
Solving problems
Using digital/print information resources
Comparing interpretations
Situating information in context - Communication Skills
- Writing clearly
Making effective oral presentations
Presenting viewpoints/analyses
Conveying ideas
Listening to others
Understanding/speaking to persons of different backgrounds
Opportunities - Careers
- Government
- Attorney
Judge
Politician
Public opinion pollster
Public relations coordinator
Departmental historian
Public policy researcher
Cultural resource manager
National park service historian or interpreter
Public program administrator for The National Endowment for Humanities
Urban planner - Human Services
- Arts council director
Cultural events planner
Social work specialist
Case worker
Volunteer services coordinator
Community planning specialist
Community organization worker
Employment counselor
Probation/parole officer
Development officer
Welfare investigator
Extension service specialist - Culture/Preservation/Art
- Museum curator
Exhibit designer
Public historian
Librarian
Archivist
Biographer
Preservationist
Museum outreach coordinator
Conservator
Restorer
Research associate
Historic preservation consultant
Music promoter/agent
Arts promoter/agent
Theater promoter/agent - Business/Industry
- Lawyer
Advertising specialist/coordinator
Market research analyst
Media analyst
Sales/marketing representative
Investment researcher
Supply chain analyst
Insurance agent
Loan administrator
Organizational planner
Business manager
Campaign planner
Consultant/research, writing
Consultant/cultural resource management
Banker
Stockbroker
Account coordinator
Customer supply analyst
Fund raising director
Grants specialist
Paralegal
Corporation historian/archivist
Foundation administrator
Personnel officer - Communications
- Public relations representative
Journalist/columnist
Researcher/technical adviser
Editor
Publisher
Documentary film researcher
Television writer/producer
Film writer/producer
Radio writer/producer
Technical writer
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students may choose to pursue professional degrees in law, business, journalism, library science, historic preservation, museum studies, public history, and urban planning or they may pursue academic degrees in history, American studies, anthropology, or sociology.
Opportunities - Experiential
Summer and/or part-time work with historical associations and societies, historical projects, museums, research institutions, businesses, social service agencies, governmental agencies (e.g. National Park Service, public health department, sheriff's office), public archives and libraries, publishing companies, and media, theatrical, or musical organizations; and involvement in student organizations such as the Society, for American Studies Students, the Cultural Awareness Program and the Historic Preservationists of Miami University.
Sources of Additional Information
- American Studies (120 MacMillan Hall, 529-7527)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.