Folklore and American Studies

The Folklore and American studies program at Utah State University offers students the opportunity to explore American life and cultures from interdisciplinary perspectives. The program's interdisciplinary structure provides students an opportunity to integrate studies in various fields into a broad understanding of American culture and its antecedents. With special strengths in the American West, Canadian and Mexican borderlands, American history, literature, and folklore, as well as creative nonfiction and studies in visual culture and the environment, the Folklore and American studies program allows students to forge an individualized plan of coursework that crosses both geographical and intellectual boundaries. By equipping students to analyze and synthesize a broad range of cultural expressions, an American studies degree will lay the groundwork for careers in academic or professional fields. The MA degree requires students to gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages. The MS degree is identical except that it does not require foreign language study.

Specialization(s):

• Folklore: Folklore students study all forms of vernacular folk culture. Folklore classes cover traditions from all over the world and include such topics as folktales, urban legends, personal experience narratives, childrens folklore, folk art, graffiti, the supernatural, etc. The program allows students to choose between two concentrations within the folklore specialization: academic and public folklore. The academic folklore concentration prepares students for teaching and researching. The public folklore concentration prepares them for jobs in government, arts administration, and museum management.

Graduates in American studies can work in a wide variety of areas, including:

• Art and history museums
• State humanities commissions
• Teaching at junior colleges
• Journalism
• Nonprofit organizations
• State and national park services

Graduates also commonly continue on to law school to obtain careers in government and law, or doctoral programs to pursue careers in research, teaching, and academia.

1. Visit Our Website

a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

2. Fill Out Application

a. Fill out the following information:

i. Personal

ii. Demographic

iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

iv. Citizenship

v. Academic History

vi. Intended Program of Study Information

vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

3. Supplemental Items

a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

b. Enter your application to submit items.

c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

i. Transcripts

1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

a. School of Graduate Studies

Utah State University

0900 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-0900

b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

ii. Letters of Recommendation

1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

iii. Statement of Purpose

iv. Test Scores

1. GRE Scores

a. Send to school code 4857

2. MAT Scores

a. Send to school code 2273

3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

d. International applicants must also include:

i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

a. Send to school code 4857

2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

iii. Proof of Financial Support

1. Affidavit of Financial Support

2. Bank Statement Copy

iv. Passport Copy

v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.