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Bachelor's of Science

Cultural Studies

Discover how people, ideas, and cultures shape the world with a degree in cultural studies online at SUNY Empire. 

Through literature, philosophy, media, and history, you’ll develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills that prepare you for a variety of careers. Our flexible online cultural studies program lets you tailor your education to your interests while exploring diverse perspectives, global issues, and cultural expression. Whether you pursue an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in cultural studies, you’ll gain insights that apply across industries, from education to media and beyond. 

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Program Overview
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Program Overview

Cultural Studies

 
Earn your cultural studies degree online and explore how language, media, and society shape the world. Develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills that prepare you for careers in education, media, public relations, and beyond. 

 

Format

100% Online

How it Works

Tuition

$295 / credit

Tuition & Fees

Credits

64 for associate, 124 for bachelor’s

Course Catalog

Next term starts

Fall 2025 

  • Students pursuing degrees in Cultural Studies design individualized degree plans based on their academic, professional, and/or personal goals and interests. 

    Students can work with their academic mentors to choose courses and to identify applicable transfer credit, prior college-level learning, and possible course equivalencies. Working with a mentor and using SUNY Empire’s educational planning process, students can develop a specialized concentration in Cultural Studies by following applicable concentration guidelines or by proposing a concentration of their own design. 

    All degree programs in Cultural Studies should address the following four guidelines. Courses listed below meet each foundation, but this list is not exhaustive. Students should work with their mentor to ensure proper course choices. 

    Foundation #1: Knowledge of a Field or Fields 

    • COMM 1020 

      Introduction to Communication 

       

    • CUST 4020 

      Medical Humanities 

       

    • LING 1005 

      Introduction to Linguistics 

       

    • LING 3020 

      Language & Culture 

       

    • LITR 1005 

      Introduction to Literature 

       

    • PHIL 2005 

      Introduction to Philosophy 

       

    • RELI 2025 

      Introduction to Religious Studies

       

  • Foundation #2: Theoretical Knowledge 

     

    • ARTS 1140

      Media and Visual Literacy 

       

    • CUST 3015 

      Food & Drink in Cultural Context: Advanced 

       

    • CUST 3152 

      Queering American Culture 

       

    • CUST 3425 

      Sex and Sexuality: Facts and Fictions 

       

    • CUST 4020 

      Medical Humanities 

       

    • DIGA 4015 

      History & Theory of New Media 

       

    • LING 1005 

      Introduction to Linguistics 

       

    • LING 3020 

      Language & Culture 

       

    • LITR 2035

      Introduction to Literature: Hamlet 

       

    • LITR 3050 

      Literary Theory  

       

    • PHIL 2005 

      Introduction to Philosophy 

       

    • PHIL 2020 

      Introduction to Ethics 

       

    • RELI 2025

      Introduction to Religious Studies 

       

    • RELI 4010 

      Religious Thought in World Perspective 

       

  • Foundation #3: Diverse Perspectives and Social Responsibility 

     

    • ASLG 1005 

      American Sign Language and Deaf Culture I 

       

    • COMM 1005 

      Intercultural Communication 

       

    • COMM 3025 

      Media Ethics & Law 

       

    • COMM 3045 

      Television & Culture 

       

    • COMM 4015 

      Women, Girls & the Media 

       

    • CUST 3152 

      Queering American Culture 

       

    • CUST 3182 

      Exploring Place History: Advanced 

       

    • CUST 3425 

      Sex and Sexuality: Facts and Fictions 

       

    • CUST 4010 

      Exploring Place: Humanities 

       

    • DIGA 4015

      History & Theory of New Media 

       

    • LING 3020 

      Language & Culture 

       

    • LITR 2006 

      African American Literature: Intro 

       

    • LITR 2040 

      World Literature: Introductory 

       

    • LITR 3008 

      African American Literature: Advance 

       

    • LITR 3015 

      Cultural Diversity through Literary Art 

       

    • LITR 3030 

      World Literature: Advanced 

       

    • LITR 3080 

      Native American Literature 

       

    • LITR 3130 

      US Multicultural Fiction 

       

    • LITR 3132 

      Asian American Writers 

       

    • LITR 3135 

      U.S. Women’s Multicultural Life Writings 

       

    • LITR 3160 

      Literature of the Holocaust 

       

    • LITR 3172 

      Mythology 

       

    • PHIL 2005 

      Introduction to Philosophy 

       

    • PHIL 2020 

      Introduction to Ethics 

       

    • RELI 2025 

      Introduction to Religious Studies 

       

    • RELI 4010 

      Religious Thought in World Perspective 

       

    • SPAN 1005 

      Spanish for Health Care Professionals  

       

    • SPAN 3030 

      Latinx in the US 

       

  • Foundation #4: Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing 

     

    • COMM 2010 

      Writing for Digital Media 

       

    • COMM 3030 

      News & Feature Writing 

       

    • COMM 3045 

      Television & Culture 

       

    • COMM 4015

      Women, Girls & the Media 

       

    • COMW 1005  

      College Writing

       

    • COMW 1015 

      College Reading & Writing 

       

    • COMW 2005 

      Effective Academic Writing 

       

    • COMW 3005 

      Proposal Writing and Logical Argument 

       

    • COMW 3006 

      Research Writing: Advanced 

       

    • COMW 3122 

      Proposal Writing 

       

    • Any CUST Course 

       

       

    • Any LING Course 

       

       

    • Any LITR Course 

       

      Any PHIL Course 

    • Any PHIL Course 

       

       

    • Any RELI course 

       

       

Ready to Apply?

The deadline for the Fall 2025 term is August 1. How to Apply

Develop the Skills to Understand and Influence Culture

What you'll learn

  • Analyze literature, media, and cultural expression
  • Explore diverse perspectives and global issues
  • Strengthen critical reading, writing, and research skills
  • Examine the impact of language, values, and belief systems 

Our team can help you prepare for the next step in your career.

An online cultural studies degree prepares you for careers in media, education, communication, and more. Possible career paths include: 

  • Journalist or Writer
  • Public Relations Specialist 
  • Cultural Analyst 
  • Educator or Researcher 
  • Digital Media Specialist 

Career Services

student poses for a photo outside
I chose SUNY Empire for the freedom and flexibility to take online classes around my work schedule.
Jordan
'23.

Interested? Take the Next Steps

1

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Cultural Studies 

We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to a cultural studies degree as engaging and meaningful as possible. Our dedicated advisors will help you explore diverse perspectives, sharpen your critical thinking and communication skills, and move closer to a career in media, writing, education, public service, or cultural analysis. 

 

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2

Check for Prior Learning Credits

Put your past experience toward your degree. Use transfer credits, work experience, or life skills to get a head start, save money, and earn your degree faster. 

How To Get Credits

Normal Program Length
Your Prior Learning
Your Prior Learning
3

Apply for a Cultural Studies Program

Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term! 

How To Apply

Next start term

Fall 2025  

Deadline to apply

August 1 

Start Your Degree

as soon as September 2, 2025.

Meet Our Professors

Our faculty have spent decades honing their craft and are all about supporting you in any way they can. They will do more than help you earn an online accounting degree. They’ll teach you to challenge yourself and find new ways to solve problems.

All Faculty
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Robert Congemi

Associate Professor
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Sandra Winn

Visiting Associate Professor

Interested in Cultural Studies?

Learn more and get started.

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