The Bachelor’s in Digital Humanities and Textual Studies at CUNY prepares students to apply computational methods to the study, editing and curation of texts and cultural collections. It suits students with interests in literature, history or cultural heritage who want practical skills in text encoding, digital editing, data visualisation and project-based work in museums, libraries or research centres.
This interdisciplinary degree combines traditional humanities inquiry with hands-on digital methods. Core topics typically include introductions to digital humanities theory, textual scholarship and editorial practice, and practical modules on programming for the humanities (commonly Python or JavaScript), data structures, and databases. Students study text encoding and markup languages (such as TEI), digital editions and publishing workflows, text mining and computational text analysis, data visualisation, and geographic information systems (GIS) for cultural heritage.
The course structure normally includes seminars in literary and historical methods alongside labs and workshops that teach software tools for digitisation, transcription, annotation and preservation. Project-based learning is central: students undertake practicum placements or internships with libraries, archives or cultural institutions and complete a capstone project or digital thesis that produces a public-facing edition, dataset, web resource or research prototype.
Applicants are normally expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent with a solid record in English language and humanities subjects; successful candidates often also have coursework in social sciences or computing. Admissions typically consider academic transcripts, a personal statement describing interest in digital humanities and any relevant coursework or projects.
Practical experience or a small portfolio of relevant work (sample essays, digital projects, code snippets or contributions to collaborative editions) can strengthen an application. Some programmes at CUNY do not require standardised tests, but applicants should check specific campus or departmental guidance for GPA expectations and any additional requirements such as interviews or placement in introductory computing modules for those without prior coding experience.
Graduates gain technical and interpretive skills valued across cultural heritage, publishing, education and tech-adjacent roles. Typical career paths include digital archivist or curator, editorial assistant for digital editions, digital project manager, research data specialist, content strategist, metadata librarian, and roles in museum technology or public history. Other options include continuing to postgraduate study in digital humanities, library and information science, or related humanities disciplines.
The programme’s emphasis on project work, internships and partnerships with New York cultural institutions helps students build practical portfolios and professional networks that support entry into roles at libraries, archives, museums, academic centres, cultural nonprofits and digital publishing houses.
CUNY offers access to a large, diverse public university system with multiple campuses and strong ties to the cultural and research infrastructure of New York City. Students benefit from proximity to major libraries, archives, museums and publishing houses, creating rich opportunities for internships, collaborative projects and practicum placements.
Faculty teaching in digital humanities at CUNY frequently combine humanities scholarship with technical expertise and community-focused projects. The university’s emphasis on public engagement and affordability makes it an accessible choice for students seeking hands-on training in digital methods alongside traditional textual study. Cross-campus collaborations, shared lab facilities and guest partnerships with city institutions are typical features that support applied learning and professional development.
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