Program Overview

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Cinema Studies (PhD)

The Cinema Studies Ph.D. program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies prepares students to develop teaching competence and to pursue research in cinema and media studies. The curriculum draws on the methods of a number of disciplines, including art history, cultural studies, American studies, psychoanalytic theory, and philosophy and involves intensive seminar-level study in film theory, history, and research methods. Graduates of the program have gone onto positions of academic leadership in the field.

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is conferred for advanced studies in which the student demonstrates outstanding original scholarship. It signifies the student can conduct independent research and has both a broad basic knowledge of all areas of his or her field and a comprehensive knowledge of one field in particular. A doctoral candidate must complete all requirements no later than ten years from matriculation or seven years from the time of his or her matriculation if the candidate holds a master's degree.

Admissions

A previously earned master's degree is required for applicants wishing to enter directly into the doctoral program. A completed MA or MS is generally required for consideration.

• A professional résumé 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 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 (both undergraduate and masters) and two letters of recommendation.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 72 credits of course work. Students are permitted to take up to two classes outside the department or as independent study. A student interested in independent study must obtain approval from a full-time faculty member after submitting a statement of purpose and a proposed bibliography.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
CINE-GT 2601	PhD Research Methodologies	4
CINE-GT 3902	Dissertation Seminar	4
CINE-GT 3907	Directed Reading/Researc	4
Electives
PhD Electives (by advisement)		60
Total Credits		72

Additional Program Requirements

Film/Media History Written Qualifying Exams I and II

Students must complete two Film/Media History written exams.

Area Oral Qualifying Exam

Students must complete an oral exam in a third area. The oral exam comprises questions relating to your specific area of research during your dissertation proposal.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language. Six languages are accepted toward fulfilling this requirement: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Students for whom English is a second language may request an exemption from this requirement. To demonstrate proficiency, you must pass an exam.

Dissertation Defense, Submission and Approval

Students must successfully defend their dissertation, and submit for approval.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

1st Semester/Term	Credits
CINE-GT 2601	PhD Research Methodologies	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
3rd Semester/Term
CINE-GT 3907	Directed Reading/Researc	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
4th Semester/Term
CINE-GT 3902	Dissertation Seminar	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
5th Semester/Term
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
6th Semester/Term
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
CINE-GT XXXX	Cinema Studies Elective	4
	Credits	12
	Total Credits	72

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Make lasting and original scholarly contributions to the field of cinema and media studies.
2. Master the concepts and research methodologies that will enable them to conduct independent research.
3. Demonstrate advanced levels of oral and written scholarly communication, including effective and appropriate use of technology in presentations and the production of works that are of sufficient quality for publication and conference acceptance.
4. Develop an understanding of the norms of professional conduct.

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.