Program Overview

Program Overview

The Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University offers a Master of Arts (MA) program that allows students to create an individualized, interdisciplinary program of study shaped according to their own vision. Working closely with a faculty adviser, students explore their unique interests and goals, drawing on the educational resources of NYU's graduate and professional schools and New York City.

Program Description

The MA program begins with the proseminar, a graduate core course that introduces students to key concepts and thinkers in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Students then complete a series of graduate-level courses, including electives and individualized projects, such as independent studies, tutorials, internships, and private lessons. The program culminates with the MA thesis, which may take one of three forms: a research thesis, an artistic thesis, or a project thesis.

Program Requirements

• Total Required Credits: 40
• Time Limit: 6 years
• Graduate-Level Courses: Students must complete all 40 credits in graduate-level courses.
• Classroom Unit Requirement: Students must earn a minimum of 14 units in classroom courses.
• Transfer Credit Limit: Students may apply to transfer up to 12 credits of graduate-level coursework taken prior to admission to Gallatin.
• Individualized Projects Credit Limit: Students may earn a maximum of 12 units in individualized projects, including independent studies, tutorials, internships, and private lessons.
• Residency Requirements: A minimum of 28 units must be earned at NYU while the student is enrolled in the Gallatin School.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Proseminar (4 credits)
• Additional Gallatin Graduate Course (4 credits)
• Electives (26 credits)
• Master's Thesis (8 credits)

Master's Thesis

The master's thesis is the culminating work of the program, which integrates and reflects a substantial portion of the ideas, practices, and skills acquired through the individualized program. The thesis may take one of three forms:

• Research thesis: articulates a significant research question, locates it in its theoretical and/or applied context, designs methods of investigation, collects and analyzes relevant information, and constructs an effective argument.
• Artistic thesis: produces an artistic work of high quality, conducts a research study that relates the creative work to appropriate theoretical and scholarly contexts, and analyzes the creative process effectively.
• Project thesis: identifies and analyzes an issue, problem, or need in the chosen area of practice, designs, implements, and evaluates a professional project addressing that problem, and describes and explains that project in a written document that incorporates appropriate theoretical and scholarly tools and approaches.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Create an individualized and integrated program of study drawing on theories, methods, and practices from a variety of disciplines, schools of thought, and professions.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with a substantial body of thought, academic and professional literatures, and related practices germane to their individually constructed programs.
3. Perform effectively the higher forms of cognitive and intellectual operations, including analysis, synthesis, judgment, and interpretation.
4. Utilize effectively the technical skills and tools required for locating and employing appropriate informational, organizational, and material resources for their work.
5. Present their ideas and practices effectively in oral, written, and, if appropriate, visual and virtual communication.
6. Produce a culminating work (master's thesis) that integrates and reflects a substantial portion of the ideas, practices, and skills acquired through their individualized programs.

Policies

• Program policies are subject to change, and students are required to complete the degree requirements in effect during the first semester in which they matriculate at Gallatin.
• University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
• School-specific academic policies can be found on the Gallatin School of Individualized Study Academic Programs page.