Undergraduate Requirements
In addition to your application to NYU, you should submit a two-part portfolio directly to the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies.
Part One - A five to ten page essay on a film, director, or any other moving image-related topic that you choose.
Part Two - A one-page statement that answers the following questions:
- Have you taken any cinema/media-related classes?
- What areas of cinema studies most interest you (film genres, directors, theory, etc.)?
- What are your career aspirations (film journalism/criticism, film curating, filmmaking, etc.)?
Graduate Requirements
The application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 2, 2024.
Application requirements for the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) Master of Arts program can be found here.
Application requirements for the Cinema Studies MA and PhD programs include:
1. C.V.
Your professional c.v. listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.
2. Statement
A two to three page statement of purpose outlining your academic and professional background, goals, and what you hope to gain from the program to which you are applying.
MIAP applicants should also demonstrate an interest in the history and preservation of the moving image in their personal statement.
3. Writing Sample
A fifteen to twenty page writing sample 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.
Contact two recommenders and ask that they submit a letter on your behalf through the online system. Gather all academic transcripts and upload copies to the online application.
Please note that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required for the application.