About the Master of Arts in Southern Studies
The Center for the Study of Southern Culture in the College of Liberal Arts offers the M.A. in Southern Studies. It is an interdisciplinary curriculum touching on many facets of Southern life, history, and culture. Students select from three possible tracks: thesis track, documentary track, and internship track.
Reflecting the program's interdisciplinary study of the South, students may
- enroll in seminars on Southern history, literature, music, religion, and other topics;
- take independent study courses that enable them to work closely with faculty; and
- participate in documentary methods courses, such as oral history, photography, and filmmaking.
Students gain the training, experience, and methods necessary to conduct independent study, and take part in individualized learning experiences through research and field work.
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Program Information
Degree
M.A. in Southern Studies
Required Credit Hours
30
Program Type
Master's Program
Program Location
School
Meet the Graduate Program Coordinator for Southern Studies
Welcome to Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi! Our graduate program invites you to explore the complexities of the South through interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Your journey begins here—with the guidance and support of our graduate program coordinator, who's here to help you thrive.
If you have any questions about the Master of Arts in Southern Studies, don't hesitate to reach out!
Simone P Delerme
Associate Professor of Anthropology and McMullan Associate Professor of Southern Studies
M.A. in Southern Studies Program Details
Learn about the application process, academic requirements, and financial support available to you.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: rolling; February 1 for funding
The Center for the Study of Southern Culture welcomes student applications.
- Complete the Graduate School's Online Application.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Center to the link provided by the online application.
Students in the M.A. in Southern Studies program complete 30 or 36 credit hours and follow an internship, thesis, or documentary track.
Required Core for all tracks:
- S St 601: Southern Studies Graduate Seminar I
- S St 602: Southern Studies Graduate Seminar II
- Students in the internship track must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 6 hours of S St 603 (Internship).
- Students in the thesis track must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 6 hours of S St 697 (Thesis) and complete a thesis defense.
- Students in the documentary track must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework and the following courses:
- S St 533: Fieldwork and Oral History
- One of the following
- S St 534: Documentary Photography
- S St 537: Documenting the South in Film
- 6 credit hours of S St 697 (Thesis)
All students must take at least 3 credit hours each in at least two related disciplines (at least 6 hours total). Courses in related disciplines must be approved by the graduate adviser. Students are permitted to take a maximum of 12 credit hours in any single discipline other than Southern studies.
Students who apply by February 1 will be considered for an assistantship. Students with a graduate assistantship receive
- a scholarship that covers some or all of the tuition and non-residency fee, if applicable, for regular semesters and
- subsidized health insurance.
The CSSC will provide up to $500 per student per year for research or conference related travel. For more information, visit Graduate Programs page on the Center's website.
The Graduate School's financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities.
About the Center for the Study of Southern Culture
Next Steps
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We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
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