Application Deadlines
Admissions for Autumn Quarter 2012 are closed. We are now accepting applications for Autumn Quarter 2013.
The Cultural Studies program admits students only in Autumn Quarter of each year. Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process at any time, but their applications will only be reviewed once they are complete and after February 1.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts Cultural Studies is designed on a cohort model; students are therefore only admitted in fall quarter (and not during winter, spring, and summer quarters). Students interested in taking Cultural Studies or Policy Studies electives in Graduate Non-Matriculated status before their program begins should contact the IAS Graduate Office.
Our programs are structured with classes offered in the evening to serve non-traditional students, including working professionals. Consequently, all graduate classes on the UW Bothell campus meet twice a week, after 5 pm. Occasionally, professors schedule workshops during the day on the weekend, and give students ample notice. While you are welcome to work while enrolled in the program, please note that because the programs are rigorous, it is beneficial to have the ability to adjust your work schedule to allow more focus on your studies during periods when your academic workload intensifies.
Students do not need to have a specific undergraduate degree to be considered for the Cultural Studies program and students who hold a bachelor's degree in any undergraduate discipline are encouraged to apply.
The Cultural Studies program generally admits 20 students for each cohort.
Degree Information and Course Options
A Masters of Arts in Cultural Studies degree from UW Bothell is a University of Washington degree as the University of Washington is a three-campus university with campuses in Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma. Classes can be taken at any campus location, i.e. UW Seattle or UW Tacoma, if you have the approval of your faculty advisor. At this time all classes are classroom-based and there are not currently online classes offered. There is not currently a part-time option in place for the Cultural Studies program. Students are expected to take 10 credits per quarter.
There are no Cultural Studies program required classes during the summer, but students have the option of taking electives or conducting directed research with faculty supervision.
For a full listing of courses within the Cultural Studies program, please see the Program Curriculum section of this website.
Internships and Career Planning
Students may initiate internships during and receive elective credit for them. Internships are encouraged, and our External Relations Coordinator can help facilitate a search for these positions. The IAS Graduate Office also circulates a monthly e-newsletter which contains a list of current job and internship opportunities in the greater Seattle area. In some cases, an internship can provide the basis for directed research or data gathering in conjunction with the Capstone project.
The MA in Cultural Studies prepares students to work within arts and cultural institutions, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations and freelance projects. Position titles may include: Program Manager, Arts Administrator, Researcher, Lecturer, Program Developer, Producer, or Cultural Advisor. For more information, please see our Career Pathways page.
Transfer Credits
If you have graduate credits from another program and are admitted, up to 6 graduate credits may transfer from a non-UW accredited degree program. The IAS Graduate Program Manager and the Admissions Committee will make the determination about how many credits, if any, can be applied to the degree.
For More Information
If you would like more information about the Policy Studies or Cultural Studies program, you should read all the information on the web site, contact our office, and attend an information session. If you can't come to an information session, we are available to meet with you by appointment in the IAS Graduate Office or over the phone. Please contact us at 425.352.3406.