Fact check: Are there universities in America where I can earn a Master's degree from studying the history of stand up comedy?

1. Summary of the results

While there are academic programs focused on comedy studies, there doesn't appear to be a Master's degree specifically dedicated to the history of stand-up comedy in America based on the provided sources. The closest options include:

• Falmouth University's Master's in Comedy Writing (online, two-year part-time) ^{[1] [2]}
• University of Arts London's MA Comedy Writer-Performer (12-month full-time) ^[3]
• Columbia College Chicago's comedy studies program in partnership with The Second City Training Center ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points need to be considered:

• The academic study of comedy extends beyond just stand-up history, encompassing scriptwriting for TV, film, and radio ^[1]
• There are opportunities for comedy education through established performance institutions, such as The Second City Training Center, which offers college credit through Columbia College Chicago ^[4]
• Higher education in comedy studies exists at various levels, including PhD programs, as evidenced by Brunel University's research program ^[5]
• The Columbia College Chicago program provides structured academic training in comedy performance, writing, and improvisation ^{[4] [6]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question contains some problematic assumptions:

• It assumes that stand-up comedy history would be a standalone degree program, when in reality, comedy studies are typically integrated into broader performance arts or writing programs
• It focuses specifically on American universities, while some of the most established comedy-focused degree programs are actually in the UK ^{[1] [3]}
• It overlooks the fact that comedy education often combines practical training with academic study, as demonstrated by the Columbia College Chicago/Second City partnership ^[4]

The academic landscape for comedy studies appears to be evolving, with various institutions offering different approaches to comedy education, though not necessarily in the specific format the question seeks.