Faculty
-
Lucia Cantero
Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies
Research Interests
Consumer culture, social media, algorithms and data science, infrastructures and urban public space
-
Deshonay Dozier
Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies
Research Interests
Black studies, urban geography, policing and carceral studies, abolition studies, cultural studies, indigenous studies, racial capitalism.
-
Joshua Goode
Professor of Cultural Studies and History
Chair, Cultural Studies DepartmentResearch Interests
Modern Spain, 19th- and 20th-century Europe, Genocide and racial thought, Museums and commemoration, Memory
-
David Luis-Brown
Associate Professor of Cultural Studies and English
Research Interests
Hemispheric Americas studies, Latino/a/x studies, Black diaspora studies, American literature and culture
-
Darrell Moore
Visiting Associate Professor of Cultural Studies
Philosophy Teachout CoordinatorResearch Interests
Aesthetics, Africana Intellectual Thought, Critical Theory, Continental Philosophy
-
Eve Oishi
Associate Professor of Cultural Studies
Research Interests
Cultural studies, Media studies, Feminist and queer theory, Asian American studies
Extended Faculty
-
Elizabeth Affuso
Pitzer College
Research Interests
Spectatorship, Fandom, Branding, Technology, Architecture, Moving image media art, Reality television
-
Myriam Chancy
Scripps College
Research Interests
African diaspora with specialization in its literature
-
Jih-Fei Cheng
Scripps College
Research Interests
Feminist and queer of color approaches to media representations of public health issues
-
Ciara Ennis
Pitzer College
Research Interests
The appropriation of Wunderkammer tactics in contemporary curatorial practice
-
Paul Faulstich
Pitzer College
Research Interests
Cultural ecology, Ecological design, Ecology of expressive culture, Aboriginal Australias
-
Jennifer Friedlander
Pomona College
Research Interests
Cultural studies, Contemporary art controversies, Film theory, Psychoanalytic theory
-
Erin Runions
Pomona College
Research Interests
The intersections of biblical interpretation and political philosophies, with their multiple impacts on political subjectivity, gender, sexuality, U.S. national sovereignty, and biopolitics
Curriculum
Additional Program Requirements
Course Requirements
72 units
- Three 300-level Cultural Studies foundation courses
- One Research Methods course
- One Transdisciplinary course
- Thirteen elective courses
Up to 24 units transfer credit from previous graduate work in relevant fields may be substituted for the elective coursework.
Research Tools Requirement
- Two research tools
PhD Completion
- PhD qualifying exams
- Dissertation
Application Guidelines
| University Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $80 (fee is non-refundable) |
| Official Transcripts | Undergraduate/graduate Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission. Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU. International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts. |
| English Proficiency Exam | Required (international applicants only) A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053. International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements. |
| Resume | Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume. |
| Program Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Statement of Purpose | Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals. |
| Academic Prerequisites | Master’s Degree required |
| Letter of Recommendation | 3 letters required When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation. Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu. |
| Standardized Test Scores | GRE (optional) Standardized test scores are not required in order to apply for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores, but are not required to do so. Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration. CGU’s school code: |
| Writing Sample | All applicants are required to submit a writing sample of previous work in addition to the statement of purpose. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 10-15 pages. Writing samples should not exceed 30 pages. |
Key Dates & Deadlines
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025
Cost & Aid
Tuition and Fees
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
| Program | 72 units |
| Tuition per unit* | $2,020 |
*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.