PhD Admissions FAQ

How do I learn more about the PhD in Media, Culture, and Communication?

The best way to learn about our program is to start with our website. Information about our faculty is listed here [link to faculty bios]. If you investigate the doctoral section of our website further, you can learn about the principles that shape our curriculum, required coursework, information about our current students and recent dissertation abstracts.

Can I talk with someone in the department?

If you have questions about the admissions process or the program, you should start by contacting our graduate advisor, Mary Taylor. You can contact Mary via e-mail at mcc.phd.admissions@nyu.edu or via phone at (212) 998-5130. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call (212) 998-5191.

Our Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Rodney Benson, can talk about the philosophy of the department and the specifics of the program.

After you have spoken with our graduate advisor and director of graduate studies, you may also want to contact a faculty member about your particular scholarly interest; feel free to contact faculty directly. 

If you do contact faculty, please note the following:

• During certain times of the year, faculty may not respond or may be delayed in responding to inquiries from prospective students. The first and last weeks of the semester are typical busy times. Also, during the winter break and summer months, faculty may be unable to respond.

• Given the sheer number of inquiries we receive, we ask that prospective students do not send CVs, personal statements and other documents via e-mail unless requested. We will review these materials during the application process.

• If you e-mail faculty with questions about the admissions process or general questions about the program, your e-mail will likely be forwarded to our graduate advisor.

Note: One of the best opportunities to meet our faculty is at departmental events. View our calendar for a list of upcoming events, including our annual Neil Postman Graduate Conference which is typically held annually during the fall semester.

Am I a good fit for this program? Is my proposed research topic suitable for your department?

Our department has a strong interdisciplinary focus on media, communication, and culture; as a result, we are interested in a wide variety of topics. You can get a sense of our research profile by viewing PhD student and faculty biographies on our website. Given the sheer number of applicants, we are unable to comment on any student's admissability without seeing a complete application in the context of the application process.

Please note that admissions decisions are made by the full faculty and students do not decide which faculty they will work with until the the second or third year of the program. Therefore, faculty cannot commit to supervising a proposed research project prior to admission.

Is my application strong enough for the PhD program?

We are unable to comment on the admissibility of a prospective student without seeing a full application in the context of the application process. Current or past faculty, and others who know your academic work, are best able to comment on your admissibility before you apply.

Please note that our PhD program is quite competitive; last year we accepted 6 students from approximately 220 applications. Thus, even if you think that NYU is the best program for you, the chances of being accepted are such that we encourage you to apply widely to as many strong departments as possible.

Can I be admitted to the PhD program without a master's degree?

We do admit students to the PhD program without an MA. Of the last 20 students we admitted, 17 had master's degrees.

Can I be considered for the MA program if I am not admitted to the PhD program?

Yes; if you do not have a master's degree and are not admitted to the PhD program, we may consider you for the MA program. If you want to be sure that we will consider you for the MA if you are not admitted to the PhD, send an email to mcc.phd.admissions@nyu.edu.

Please note that the master's program is not fully funded. All US citizens and permanent residents who wish to be considered for MA scholarship funding must submit a FAFSA by February 1, 2012. Details and a complete list of scholarships are available on the admissions web site. Some scholarships require a separate application.

 I am visiting New York and want to see the campus. Can I get a tour?

NYU offers general tours for prospective graduate students. Register for a tour.

While we, in the department, would certainly would like to meet you, we are unable to meet with all prospective students interested in our program. The graduate advisor is often available. You should contact the director of graduate studies and other faculty directly if you would like to request a meeting with them. Please understand that faculty are often busy with current students and may not be available when you are in town.

Are there any special requirements for international applicants?

See the admissions office's website for Special Instructions for International Applicants. As noted on this page, a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score is required for applicants whose native language is not English or who did not receive a bachelor's degree at an English-speaking college or university.