Curriculum

The 36-credit master’s program in Costume Studies provides a comprehensive understanding of the history and theory of fashion, costume, and textiles, a vital part of our culture and an exciting field in the visual arts. The program will train you in rigorous academic research and analysis while offering practical exposure to costume studies through object study, institutional collections, and internship experiences.

Core Course Sequence

The program’s core courses in the literature and methodology of costume studies cover fashion and textile history from prehistory to the 20th century, providing a wide cultural and aesthetic framework for understanding material culture. Electives can include classes in the decorative and fine arts, exhibition and museum studies, and art theory and criticism.

You will gain valuable hands-on experience through field trips and working sessions with collections at leading New York institutions, including the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Costume Studies students also complete an internship that provides a foundation for their future careers. Whether working in fashion design or at a cultural institution, you can make professional connections and gain industry experience before you graduate.

Culminating Experience

You will write an original, research-based thesis on a topic of your choice in your final year.