Documentary Media Studies

• Social Impact

  Engage with pressing social issues while developing your own bold, original approach to documentary filmmaking.

• Screening Opportunities

  Showcase your work at our annual festival in public screenings and discussions between the filmmakers and faculty.

• Scholarly Insights

  Inform your production work with courses on the history and theory of documentary filmmaking.

• Diverse Student Backgrounds

  Collaborate with students from all walks of life who have varied educational and professional experience in the fields of communications and media and beyond.

• Admission Requirements: International applicants are required to follow all admission procedures for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Please pay special attention to the transcript requirements for applicants with foreign credentials.
• Transcripts: Review the admission procedures for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Please pay special attention to the transcript requirements for applicants with foreign credentials.
• TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE, Cambridge English, or Duolingo: A TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, Cambridge English, or Duolingo score is not required for applicants whose primary language is English or who have earned a four-year degree from a U.S. college/university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction. Test score requirements are outlined in the application instructions.
• English Language Writing Diagnostic Examination: At Orientation, The New School for Social Research will administer an English Language Writing Diagnostic Examination to all newly enrolling international students who do not meet the criteria for exemption from the TOEFL requirement. Based on the results of this examination, students may be asked to take a supplemental writing course at no cost. The New School maintains the right to require English proficiency testing when deemed necessary.

Certificate holders are qualified to become documentary editors, field producers, cinematographers, directors, and researchers and take up related positions in media distribution, museum programming, festival organization, and broadcast productions. All 2018 graduates were employed or pursuing further education within 12 months of graduating.

Some students continue their graduate studies in pursuit of a master's or PhD. Students who complete this certificate are invited to apply for the MA in Media Studies or MS in Media Management programs. If admitted, students who complete this certificate can transfer all credits from the certificate, provided that grades of B or better were received in the courses.

Conversely, MA in Media Studies or MS in Media Management students may apply to pursue the Documentary Media Studies certificate in their second year of study. If they are admitted, all credits will apply to their respective degrees, provided that grades of B or better were received in the courses.

Read alumni news on the program blog

1. Select your college. Not sure which program at The New School is right for you? Explore your options.
2. Follow the specific application instructions. Once you've selected your program, review its application instructions and requirements.
3. Complete the application for your intended degree. All applicants to MA, MS, MFA, MArch, MPS, MM, and PhD degree programs; professional studies diploma programs; and graduate certificate programs should submit The New School’s Online Application. 
4. Check your application status. Log in to your Admission Hub to check the status of your application materials. Applications become complete and ready for review once all required items have been received by the Office of Admission. Allow at least ten days from the date you submitted your application for the application materials checklist to appear. After reviewing your checklist in the Admission Hub, follow up with schools and recommenders to confirm that your transcripts, recommendations, and other materials have been sent to us.