CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The programme emphasises interdisciplinary inquiry across humanities and related fields, enabling you to design a coherent course of study tailored to your interests. Core study typically includes seminars in research methods and critical theory, alongside elective seminars drawn from literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies, media studies and social theory.

• Core seminars: research methods for the humanities, theory and interdisciplinary practice, ethics in public scholarship.
• Elective areas: literary and cultural theory, intellectual history, urban studies, digital humanities, performance studies, gender and sexuality studies, documentary and media analysis.
• Independent work: options usually include a supervised thesis, a capstone project, or a practicum. Independent study and reading courses allow close faculty mentorship.
• Format and credit structure: the degree combines taught seminars, workshops and a substantial research or practice component; part‑time and evening options are commonly available to accommodate working students.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typical admissions materials include an academic transcript, a statement of purpose outlining your intended programme of study, and one or more letters of recommendation. A writing sample or portfolio may be requested, particularly for applicants proposing a practice‑based project.

While standardised tests are not universally required across CUNY graduate programmes, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency according to institutional guidelines. Admissions decisions consider the whole profile: prior coursework, intellectual preparation for interdisciplinary study, and fit with available faculty supervision.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a broad range of careers that value critical thinking, research and communication skills. Common pathways include:

• Education and academic support roles, including secondary teaching (with appropriate certification) and higher education administration.
• Work in cultural institutions such as museums, archives and libraries, where research and curatorial skills are useful.
• Nonprofit and public sector roles in programme management, policy research, community engagement and advocacy.
• Publishing, journalism, communications, and digital content roles that draw on strong writing and analytical abilities.
• Further graduate study (PhD) in humanities or related social science disciplines for those aiming at academic research and teaching careers.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

Studying this programme within the CUNY system places you in one of the world’s most diverse urban environments. You benefit from access to rich archival resources, museums, libraries and cultural organisations across New York City, and a wide range of internship and collaborative research opportunities. CUNY’s campuses are known for committed faculty with active research and public scholarship profiles, and the system’s cross‑campus links allow students to draw on courses and expertise across colleges.

In addition, the programme’s flexible scheduling and often more affordable public tuition structure make it a practical choice for working professionals and career changers seeking rigorous interdisciplinary graduate study in the humanities.