Cultural Studies, PhD
The Cultural Studies PhD program grounds the study of cultural objects (e.g. texts, institutions, media, events, everyday practices) in an analysis of the particular political, economic, and social conditions in which cultural meanings are produced, circulated, received, and contested. It joins faculty and students in an intellectual community of advanced study, with the aim of educating academics and professionals to understand the constitution of both past and present social formations in the interests of a more humane and equitable future. The program traffics with a broad range of scholarship and theory that examines the relation of cultural objects to their conditions of existence, e.g., Marxism, the Frankfurt School, the Birmingham School, French structuralism and poststructuralism, and ongoing attempts to understand various modes of subjugation (labor, gender, sexuality, race) within changing political-economic conditions. Our aim is to produce graduates who are fully apprised of the theoretical debates that have preceded them, who have a solid grasp of the relevant history as well as of contemporary scholarly developments, and who are thus equipped to engage with the key issues of our time.
This PhD trains students for scholarship and teaching. The core curriculum includes an introduction to cultural studies and a methods course, as well as courses on political economy, gender and sexuality, critical race studies, science and technology, social institutions, and visual and performance culture. All students develop field specializations in two areas of cultural studies. The particular strengths of the program are visual culture, media, and new media studies; political economy and globalization; and gender and sexuality studies.
Intakes
- Jan
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
George Mason University (GMU) offers strong potential for job opportunities for its graduates, evidenced by its career services that provide guidance on resume refinement, interview preparation, and employer connections. The university also boasts a high average employee salary compared to national averages for government and other university employees, suggesting potential for well-compensated careers upon graduation.
Career Services and Resources
Professional Guidance:
GMU's career advisors offer support to students and graduates, helping them to refine resumes, prepare for interviews, and connect with potential employers.
Employer Connections:
The university actively helps its students and graduates build networks with potential employers, enhancing their job prospects.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study.
- The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs.
- The university, at its discretion, may, in evaluating the meeting of this requirement, additionally consider the difficulty of the baccalaureate degree, relevant work experience, any/or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.
- For students with post-baccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution.
- For applicants whose initial post-secondary degree is an integrated master's degree or higher (no baccalaureate degree earned), the university, at its discretion, will evaluate those applicants based on that initial degree.
ACT = Not accepted
Duolingo English Test = 120
IELTS = 7.0 and 6.5 each subsection* All CEC applicants 6.5 and no minimum subsection score required
Pearson Test of Academic English = 67
TOEFL = 88 and 20 each subsection* All CEC applicants 80 and no minimum subsection score
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
111600 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 80 USD