
New York University · Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies
MA in Cinema Studies
Overview
A 36-credit MA in the history, theory and criticism of film and the moving image, with core courses offered in the evening, optional internships at archives or in the industry, and a comprehensive exam.
- Official program name
- MA in Cinema Studies
- Awarded degree
- Master of Arts in Cinema StudiesMaster's · Master of ArtsSource: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- School
- New York University — Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies
- Location
- New York, NY
- Delivery
- On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Required attendance
- Not verified
- Study intensity
- Full- or part-timeSource: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Duration
- Three semesters full-timeSource: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Required credits
- 36 credits (32 in the department)Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Start
- FallSource: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Fields of study
| Field | Classification | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Film Studies | Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field. | Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Why this degree is listed
MA in cinema studies (history, theory and criticism of film).
Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules
Curriculum, pathways and faculty
Thesis, film or capstone
ExaminationMaster's Comprehensive Exam: two of five questions answered as ten-page essays over one week.
Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026Internships
- Internships for credit at film libraries and archives or in the film and media industries.Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Published areas of study
- Core courses: Film Form/Film Sense, Film Theory, and Film History/Historiography or Television: History & Culture.Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Faculty listed by the program
- Manthia Diawara — Professor, film_studies
- Antonia Lant — Professor, film_studies
- Anna McCarthy — Professor; Director of Graduate Studies, film_studies
- Robert Stam — Professor, film_studies
- Zhen Zhang — Professor, film_studies
- Dan Streible — Associate Professor; Chair, film_studies
- Michael B. Gillespie — Associate Professor, film_studies
As listed on the program's official page on October 12, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026Production costs and equipment
Equipment and facility access
Equipment access: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Published production and equipment costs
Production and equipment costs: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare production costs
Admissions
Portfolio and submission materials
| Material | Status | Instructions as published |
|---|---|---|
| Academic writing sample | Required | Writing sample of 15-20 double-spaced pages on film, television, video or new media (or the arts/humanities).Length: 15–20 pagesSource: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Other requirements
- Statement of purpose
- RequiredStatement of purpose, two to three double-spaced pages.Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Recommendation letters
- Required2 letters — Two letters of recommendation.Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Résumé / CV
- RequiredProfessional resume.Source: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- Application fee
- Required$65 — $65 Tisch graduate application fee.Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tests
- GRE General Test
- Not requiredSource: bulletins.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
- TOEFL iBT
- RequiredRequired unless exempt (e.g. native English speakers, degree from an English-medium university); TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic accepted; no minimum score.Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist
Deadlines
- Year not printed
Application deadline
December 1 · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students | $29,112 | per semester · 2026-2027Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
| All students — Total degree tuition (estimate, Fall 2026 start) | $88,511 | entire program · 2026-2027Source: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026 |
Mandatory institutional fees
- Service fees
- $1,475 per semesterMandatorySource: tisch.nyu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Funding
Funding not verified
Funding policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Sources and verification
- bulletins.nyu.edu/graduate/arts-science/programs/cinema-studies-ma/ — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/generalapplicationrequirements — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/graduate-tuition-and-fees — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/Internationalapplicantrequirements — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/cinema-studies/courses/ma-in-cinema-studies — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
- tisch.nyu.edu/cinema-studies/faculty — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
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