American Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
As an American studies major, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills it takes to bring critical insights to the study of the American experience in all its diversity—past and present.
With a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, you’ll immerse yourself in all aspects of American culture, including literature and film, politics and social movements, history and popular culture.
As a Jesuit institution, Creighton aims to stimulate critical and creative thinking with interdisciplinary study that will not only encourage you to pursue your interests, but discover new ones.
Program Details
Program Goals
While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, you’ll be exposed to thinking and scholarship in so many areas: political, intellectual, social and economic, history, literature, religion, art, folklore and material culture.
Graduates will be prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including education, law, journalism, social work, medicine, government, business and more.
You’ll learn:
- Advanced critical thinking skills
- How to situate America within a global context
- How to work with a wide range of sources
- How to design and conduct original interdisciplinary research
- Written, oral, visual and digital humanities presentation methods
Curriculum
Along with Creighton’s core requirements, there are 30 credits within the American Studies curriculum.
View American Studies curriculum
Minor in American Studies
The American Studies minor complements a wide range of majors by offering interdisciplinary approaches to the study of American life.
Admissions Requirements
Before declaring the major, you must successfully complete AMS 307 Introduction to American Studies with a grade of “C” or better.
Creighton admissions are based upon:
- High school GPA
- ACT or SAT scores*
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal statement to demonstrate creative abilities not reflected in your transcripts
- Recommendation from high school counselor
- Honors sections and advanced placement courses will enhance a candidate’s application
*For students who are choosing to apply test-optional, ACT/SAT exam scores are not required at the time of application for admission.
Dates & Deadlines
Applications for the fall semester open on Aug. 1 of the prior year. For scholarship consideration, the earlier you complete your undergraduate application, the better. For up-to-date deadlines, visit our admissions page.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates are updated each year. Visit our financial aid site to learn more about the cost of attendance.
Financial Aid
Creighton University’s Financial Aid Office administers over $200,000,000 in student aid each year from federal, state, institutional and private sources.
To help make your undergraduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. A variety of scholarships are also available.
This program includes individual research mentoring for each student. Since 2009, approximately 80% of American studies majors have won competitive grants for summer undergraduate research. About 90% have presented their research at academic conferences or local cultural institutions.
Top American studies students can qualify to enroll in an advanced senior seminar in which students develop research projects into scholarly articles for publication.
Recent American studies students have completed internships at these Omaha institutions:
- Durham Museum
- Joslyn Art Museum
- Douglas County Historical Museum
- Sarpy County Museum
- Strategic Air and Space Museum
- Boys Town Hall of History
- Creighton University Archives
