Department Website
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Cinema Studies program is a self-contained curriculum that provides students with an advanced course of study in the history, theory, and criticism of film and the moving image. Students also have the opportunity to pursue internships for credit at film libraries and archives in the city or in the film and media industries in order to further their professional development. Many lecture classes are offered in the evening for the convenience of working students. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers as film curators, programmers, preservationists, critics, and educators as well as filmmakers, screenwriters, and industry professionals.
Admissions
Admission to Graduate Cinema Studies is based on previous academic achievement, a personal statement, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation.
In addition to the general Tisch Graduate Application, please prepare the following:
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A professional résumé listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.
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A statement of purpose (two to three double-spaced pages) outlining your academic and professional background, goals, and what you hope to gain from the program.
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A writing sample (15-20 double-spaced pages) that reflects your ability to carry out sustained critical, theoretical, and/or historical thinking on film, television, video, and/or new media. In the absence of a moving image–related topic, a piece of writing on a subject in the arts or humanities is acceptable.
Please attach the documents to the online application, including copies of academic transcripts and two letters of recommendation.
Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer a required component for admission to this program.
Program Requirements
Students must complete 36 credits, of which 32 credits must be taken in the department; 4 credits of graduate credit may be transferred from another department or institution, with permission of the chair, if these credits are not counted toward another graduate degree.
Students with substantial academic training in any of these areas of study may request a waiver on a course-by-course basis. CINE-GT 2900 -CINE-GT 2905 and CINE-GT 2950 and CINE-GT 2952 credits may not exceed a combined 8 credits.
Additional Program Requirements
Comprehensive Exam
Students must pass a comprehensive examination, which is administered thrice yearly, in November, March, and July. The examination may be taken on completion of 24 credits of course work but no later than a semester after the completion of 36 credits of course work. The comprehensive examination is a take-home examination consisting of five questions, of which the student must answer two. The questions are drawn from the total course of study as well as from material on the M.A. comprehensive exam filmography and bibliography, lists of important works provided by the department. Students have one week to complete the exam. Students who fail the exam may retake it once. Students are notified by mail of the exam results.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- An understanding of the canonical theories and methods of Cinema Studies as well as the latest advances in the discipline.
- Knowledge of fundamental written and film works of the discipline.
- The ability to critically analyze various genres of the moving image.
- The ability to communicate effectively in written form in the genres relevant to the discipline.
- Practical skills in the areas of media management, production, criticism, or preservation.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.