Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions about the NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program. If you have any questions not addressed here, please feel free to consult our student handbook, contact Jeff Sebo, our Program Director, at jeffsebo@nyu.edu (with questions about the program), or contact Alex Bollington, our Academic Administrator, at arb653@nyu.edu (with questions about admissions).

What is Animal Studies?

Animal Studies is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field that draws from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to examine what nonhuman animals are like, how human and nonhuman animals relate to each other, and the aesthetic, moral, social, political, economic, and ecological significance of these relations.

NYU Animal Studies, active since 2010 and housed in the Department of Environmental Studies, is a central gathering place for people interested in these issues. Our students work with leading scholars in Animal Studies, Environmental Studies, and related fields; participate in intensive seminars, workshops, and conferences; and engage in a wide range of theoretical, practical, and creative pursuits upon graduation.

What is the NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program?

The NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program empowers students to 1) examine the key debates that define the field of Animal Studies, 2) perform original research that contributes to these debates, and 3) understand the connections across animal issues, environmental issues, and social issues.

This program is designed for anyone interested in a rigorous, systematic, multi-disciplinary education about nonhuman animals. In addition, undergraduate students who are already enrolled at NYU can pursue a discounted graduate education through an NYU BA/MA Program.

How long is the NYU Animal Studies M.A. program?

The NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program involves eight courses (32 credits) and an M.A. project. A typical full-time student will take three or four courses per semester, and a typical part-time student will take one or two courses per semester.

Where is the program located?

Our program is at 285 Mercer Street, New York NY 10003, near Washington Square Park, Union Square Park, and other points of interest. We are also conveniently located near many bus and subway lines, allowing for easy access from many locations throughout New York City.

How much does the program cost?

You can find information about current tuition and fees for students in our program here. For reference, our program is 32 credits total.

Is financial aid available?

You can find information about financial aid opportunities for M.A. students here. Additionally, there are a few types of positions within the department that might be possible. For example:

- Research assistance. Faculty members can hire research assistants for work on research or writing projects.

- Teaching assistance. Faculty members can hire graders or teaching assistants for work in undergraduate courses.

- CEAP. The NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection (CEAP) conducts, supports, and distributes research about environmental and animal protection. NYU Animal Studies M.A. students are eligible for paid roles on CEAP projects.

Can I apply without a background in Animal Studies?

Absolutely! There are no prerequisites for admission into our program other than a sincere interest in Animal Studies, excellent analytic and communication skills, and strong evidence of potential or achievement in your current area of study or work.

Where can I access the application?

You can find information about our application requirements and deadlines here, and you can find the Application Resource Center here.

When is the application deadline?

We consider applications on a rolling basis. All applications received by February 15th each year are guaranteed full consideration for fall admission the following fall. Applications received after that date will be considered as well until all seats are filled.

Can I start the program in the spring?

All of our students officially start in the fall. However, if a student receives early admission into the program, then they can take classes in the spring and we can count these classes toward their degree when they start the program in the fall.

Are there application fee waivers?

Yes, NYU offers an application fee waiver under certain circumstances, provided that you apply for this waiver in advance. You can find more information about this possibility here.

Can I visit a class?

Yes, you are very welcome to visit a class with instructor permission. To request permission, please contact Jeff Sebo, our Program Director, at jeffsebo@nyu.edu.

Can I attend an event?

Yes, most of our events are free and open to the public. To stay informed about our events, you can visit our events page here or sign up for our email list here.

What resources are available to M.A. students?

You can find information about M.A. student resources here.

What courses does this program offer?

The NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program includes three required courses (Animals, Culture, and Society; Animals, Philosophy, and Science; and the M.A. Capstone) and five electives. We offer electives in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, which change annually based on instructor and student interest. Students are also welcome to take up to three courses (12 credits) in other Departments with permission from the Animal Studies M.A. Director and the course instructor. You can find more information about our courses here. 

Does this program offer an internship course?

Yes, we do! We will be sharing more information about the internship option soon.

Does this program offer online courses?

Unfortunately, we do not offer online courses.

Does this program offer summer courses?

We do not currently offer summer courses. However, students are welcome to take summer courses in other departments with permission from the Animal Studies M.A. Program Director and course instructor.

Where and when do courses meet?

Our courses meet in different buildings near Washington Square Park once per week for 2.5 hours. We schedule most of our courses at night (usually 5:00-7:30) to accommodate working students. We also schedule some of our courses during the day (usually 2:00-4:30), and, if you take classes in other departments, the scheduling will be up to the relevant department.

Can I take courses in other programs?

Yes, you can take up to three electives (12 credits) in other programs with permission from the Animal Studies M.A. Director and the course instructor.

Do I need to take courses in a particular order?

We recommend taking the required courses sooner rather than later since they provide a strong foundation for the elective courses as well as for the M.A. project. However, students are welcome to take our courses in whatever order they prefer, provided that they satisfy all the requirements for matriculation and graduation.

What are the M.A. project requirements?

Students complete an M.A. project with the support of a faculty mentor and Capstone instructor. This M.A. project can be a research paper, policy proposal, or an artistic project that explores central themes in Animal Studies in an original and rigorous way. The M.A. project should demonstrate that a student has a sufficient command of the information and arguments pertaining to the chosen topic, as well as the ability to undertake, complete, and present independent work in a form suitable to the rules and conventions of their chosen field.

Which faculty members can I work with?

The NYU Animal Studies M.A. Program is housed within the NYU Department of Environmental Studies. As such, we expect that most of our students will work with faculty in Animal Studies and Environmental Studies. However, we also support our students in working with faculty in other departments, if these faculty have relevant expertise that members of our department lack.

What kinds of careers can I pursue with this degree?

We are committed to supporting our students in pursuing a wide range of careers, ranging from advocacy to business to media to research to wildlife care and conservation. Some students enter our program with a particular career path in mind, in which case we work with them to create a course list and M.A. project that assists them in pursuing this career. Other students enter our program with no particular career path in mind, in which case we work with them to create a course list and M.A. project that assists them in selecting, and then pursuing, a particular career.