Graduate Programs: European Mediterranean Studies

Graduate Programs: European Mediterranean Studies

Learn More About the MA in European and Mediterranean Studies

Overview

The Center for European and Mediterranean Studies' MA in European and Mediterranean Studies and other joint-degree and certificate programs provide highly individualized, interdisciplinary studies in the social sciences and humanities. The flexible degree requirements allow students to tailor their studies according to their interests across a range of disciplines, including history; political science; cultural studies; anthropology; art history; and French, Italian, German, Irish, the Mediterranean, and other area studies. In addition to CEMS' courses, students are encouraged to take courses at other GSAS departments and NYU schools.

CEMS master's programs are designed to prepare students for professions requiring an advanced understanding of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Through developing country and regional expertise and honing skills in advanced research and analysis—together with opportunities to complete professional internships for course credit—graduates of CEMS are prepared to advance careers in public service/government, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, international and regional organizations, international business and law, media, and education. The 12-month MA in European and Mediterranean Studies program, in particular, also provides a strong platform for pursuing doctoral studies.  Read about alumni placements. 

CEMS MA students tend to pursue internships as part of their coursework and, upon graduation, gain employment with policy institutes, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. State Department, EU-institutions, and other public or private organizations and companies. 

"The mobility afforded to me by the MA program within the Center for European and Mediterranean Studies allowed me to gain invaluable professional contacts in addition to a rich, challenging, interdisciplinary academic experience. With the support of the Center, I was able to juggle full-time coursework, internship experiences with Human Rights Watch and the Institute for International Humanitarian Affairs, in addition to employment alongside the Center’s dedicated and experienced staff. I always felt as though the Center was exceptionally helpful in attaining these internships and understanding the need for a prudent professional-academic balance.” —Stephen Whittaker, M.A. CEMS '14

Degree Program Requirements: MA in European and Mediterranean Studies

Follow this link for information on course credit and other requirements to fulfill the Master's in European and Mediterranean Studies.

Joint Degree, Advanced Certificate, and Regional Concentration Programs

CEMS offers a growing number of joint graduate, advanced certificate, and regional concentration programs. Current programs include:

 

Funding opportunities

CEMS offers generous tuition scholarships, as well as summer research/internship fellowships, travel grants for research or to attend conferences, and opportunities for graduate student employment. A suggested list of external funding opportunities can be viewed here.

How To Apply

To apply for the Master's in European and Mediterranean Studies program or joint degree programs, visit the Graduate School of Arts and Science's Application Resource Center (ARC) for general “how to” information about the application process, and for access to the online application. Applications are accepted for fall only for all programs. All applicants must use the online application.

Application Deadlines

Applications to master's in European and Mediterranean Studies (non-joint degree):

  • February 1: Initial deadline for admissions; priority deadline for financial aid consideration
  • May 1: Final deadline for admissions and financial aid consideration (pending availability)

Applications to joint European and Mediterranean Studies/Journalism:

  • December 18: Recommended date
  • January 4: Final deadline date

Program Specific Application Requirements for European and Mediterranean Studies

For further details, please refer to the GSAS application instructions page for European and Mediterranean Studies.

  • Standardized tests: GRE general test is NOT required—yes, that is correct. GRE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED for the MA in European and Mediterranean Studies.  TOEFL is required of all applicants who are not native English speakers. **Joint master's and dual degree programs may require the GRE -- refer to the GSAS instructions page for European and Mediterranean Studies for requirement details.
  • 3 letters of recommendation, preferably from your professors or academic advisors.
  • Statement of Academic Purpose: one statement is required. Please refer to the GSAS application instructions page for a description of each program's required Statement of Academic Purpose. Joint master's applicants do NOT need to write two separate statements of academic purpose.
  • Writing Sample for M.A. in European and Mediterranean Studies (non-joint degree): A writing sample is required. It is preferred that it concerns Europe and the Mediterranean. It should demonstrate analytical skills and not exceed 10 double-spaced pages. Submissions may include an original work for the application, or a course assignment, conference paper, excerpt from a thesis or academic work, or a published article. Visit the GSAS application instructions page for more details on the writing sample. 
  • Writing Samples for joint master's in European and Mediterranean Studies/Journalism: The joint program application requires a minimum of two and no more than three writing samples.  These samples should be indicative of the applicant's best overall work and need not have been published. They should include at least one academic paper or senior thesis that demonstrates the student's critical thinking ability and another that showcases the student's writing ability. Visit the GSAS application instructions page for more details on the writing sample.