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.
On this Page…
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 more about the Master of Arts in Southern Studies - how to apply, what classes you'll take, and opportunities offered through graduate assistantships.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: rolling; February 1 for funding
The Center for the Study of Southern Culture welcomes student applications with the following materials. Please visit the Center's website for more details.
- Complete the Graduate School's Online Application.
- Pay the application fee ($60). We have scholarships for the application fee. Contact the Graduate Coordinator with questions.
- Submit official transcripts.
- International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency test.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Center to the link provided by the online application.
- Statement of purpose: 500-word statement of purpose that articulates why joining the program is the next best step. Why is a degree in Southern Studies from UM is the best next move for you? How will it help you to achieve your personal and professional goals? What specifically appeals to you about the program?
- Writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation: provide contact information for two recommenders
Students in the M.A. in Southern Studies program complete 30 or 36 credit hours and follow 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
1. Students in the internship track must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including S St 603 (Internship) and make a colloquium presentation.
2. 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.
3. Students in the documentary track must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, give a colloquium presentation, 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.
The Graduate School's financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities, including summer support and a recruiting fellowship program that promotes academic excellence and access to graduate education to groups who are historically underrepresented.
Accelerated Master's Degree in Southern Studies
Undergraduate students at UM that are interested in graduate study in Southern Studies can get a head start through the Accelerated Master's Degree Program.
Undergraduate students that would like to qualify for the Accelerated Master's Degree Program must meet the following requirements:
- 3.5 minimum GPA overall
- 90 completed credit hours as an undergraduate
Students must be accepted into the Accelerated Master's Degree Program and complete the requisite Accelerated Master's Degree Program Course Enrollment Form for this degree. The form must be received by the Graduate School (the form requires approval from your Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator for Southern Studies).
- Students must download and complete the participating program's specific enrollment form each term. The form must be completed prior to the start of the term.
- The form requires approval from the Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator.
- By signing the form to approve the enrollment for the semester, the Graduate Program Coordinator is agreeing that the student has been admitted to their Accelerated Master's Degree Program opportunity.
After the Graduate School receives the first approved enrollment form, the student will be identified as enrolled in the Accelerated Master's Degree Program for Southern Studies.
- Each subsequent term for which the student wishes to earn credit towards the graduate degree while still completing their undergraduate studies, they must submit a registration form prior to the start of the semester.
- Failure to submit the required form on time will mean that the student does not earn graduate credit.
To access the required form, please visit the specific page for the participating degree program of interest. The form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Until the Graduate School receives the required form, the student is not officially registered for graduate coursework for that term.
Courses undergraduate students in the Accelerated Master's Degree Program can take to earn credit towards the graduate degree:
- SST 533: Fieldwork and Oral History
- SST 534: Documentary Photography
- SST 535: Anthropological Films
- SST 536: The Southern Environment
- SST 537: Documenting the South in Film
- SST 555: Foodways and Southern Culture
- SST 556: Cultural Heritage Tourism
- SST 560: Oral History of Southern Social Movements
- SST 597: Special Topics
- SST 598: Special Topics
- SST 599: Special Topics
Remember: Students who fail to reserve 500-level courses for graduate credit at the time they take the course will not receive graduate credit for the course (graduate level work must be completed to earn graduate credit).
- Reserving graduate credit with 500-level courses is required to ensure the Graduate School and instructor know the student must complete graduate credit requirements for the course.
- Students cannot later claim graduate credit for 500-level courses if they did not take the appropriate steps to notify the Graduate School prior to taking the course.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?