The doctoral program in cultural studies at George Mason University, the first of its kind in the United States, draws freely from fourteen different departments across the university. With this truly interdisciplinary foundation, the program in an explicit way links the social sciences and the humanities by combining their methods of interpretation to explore the production, distribution, and consumption of cultural objects in their social contexts. With particular focus on theory and method in crafting this linkage, the program addresses contemporary issues of nationality, class, race, and gender, and opens the scope of scholarly inquiry to all forms of culture, past and present.

Reduction of credit

Students must have a master’s degree before being admitted to the PhD in cultural studies. Most students receive a reduction of study of 30 credits based on their previous master’s degree.

Advancement to candidacy

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