American Literature and Culture Certificate
Deepen your understanding of American literary works and cultural themes through study and dialogue around notable authors, regional influences, and history. Through this liberal arts graduate certificate, you will gain knowledge of the American literary form and tradition informed by political, cultural, and historical contexts.
Key learning outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of American narrative art forms––such as poetry, literature, and film––through exploration of a range of authors, genres, and historical periods.
- Sharpened facility in narrative interpretation, critical analysis, and ability to lead discussion around American literary and cultural artifacts.
- Expanded knowledge of the American experience and exposure to focused subject areas, such as the poetry of Emily Dickinson, the twentieth-century century American novel, and the literary works of the Civil War.
Getting started
No application is required. You simply register for graduate courses during our fall, spring, or summer registration periods.
Earning the Certificate
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete 16 certificate credits at the graduate level.
- This can be accomplished by completing three 4-credit certificate courses and two 2-credit certificate courses, or four 4-credit certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Certificate Courses
The liberal arts graduate certificate in American Literature and Culture requires four courses or 16 credits.
You may choose from the following course groups, using the certificate course search:
- Humanities course group (choose any two courses from this group)
- Social Sciences course group (choose any two courses from this group)
Courses taken before the 2015–16 academic year do not apply toward this certificate.