Master of Arts in Cinema Studies

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.

During their time here, Cinema Studies students will hone their critical voice, develop a trained eye and ear, and practice in-depth, careful analysis of moving images. NYU's Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies was one of the first university departments in the country devoted to film history, theory, and aesthetics. Over time our focus has expanded to include broadcast television, video art, and digital media. After years of being steeped in an interdisciplinary, international approach, many alumni go on to careers in museum film departments, archives, and programming, journalism, or in the film industry as filmmakers, screenwriters, and editors.

Copies of academic transcripts from any schools in which you received a college degree or attended for two or more years.
Two letters of recommendation from academic, artistic or professional references
Professional or artistic resume
Statement of Purpose

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:

A professional r'sum listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.

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.

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 imagerelated topic, a piece of writing on a subject in the arts or humanities is acceptable. All samples must be written in English. Untranslated samples will not be considered.

TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test). We will accept results from the in-person version or the iBT Home Edition.
Duolingo English Test
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)