Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary at UB is a 36-credit hour program, generally completed in two years of full-time study. It is highly customizable, allowing students to combine coursework from various arts and humanities fields, such as American Studies, Art, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, Global Gender Studies, History, Media Study, Music, Philosophy, Romance Languages and Literature, and Theatre and Dance. Students may also integrate courses from social or natural sciences. The program's flexibility is a key feature, enabling students to tailor their education to unique academic and career objectives. It offers several formal concentrations, including Film and Media Study and Disability Studies, or students can pursue an independent track.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum is structured to ensure both breadth across disciplines and depth in a chosen area. Typically, it requires 12 credit hours in a primary arts or humanities discipline and 12 additional credit hours in a complementary arts, humanities, social, or natural science field. An additional 6 credit hours are dedicated to related elective coursework, allowing for further specialization. The program culminates with 6 credit hours of project supervision or thesis guidance. This final project offers students an opportunity to demonstrate how their primary discipline was enriched by multiple perspectives. It can be a flexible structure, possibly an essay, a research problem, an exhibition, a recital, or a creative work that applies theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Examples of such projects include comparative analyses of literary themes, digital archives, oral histories, curatorial projects, or short films.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary at UB is centered on student-driven, interdisciplinary research. The research focus is broad, allowing students to explore topics at the intersections of various humanities fields, often integrating with social or even natural sciences. The program encourages critical inquiry into subjects such as representations of disability, media theory, cultural production, historical interpretation through diverse lenses, and the analysis of literary and artistic works across cultures. The Humanities Institute at UB actively supports interdisciplinarity and research through various workshops (e.g., Digital Humanities, Disability Studies, Queer Studies, Science in Society) that bring together faculty and graduate students from different disciplines to explore common intellectual concerns and foster collaborative research.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary program at UB emphasizes developing transferable skills highly valued across various professional sectors. While direct "industry engagement" in terms of mandatory internships may not be explicitly uniform across all individualized paths, the program's focus on critical thinking, complex problem-solving, advanced research, and compelling communication prepares graduates for a wide range of careers. The ability to integrate knowledge from multiple fields is particularly attractive to employers in fields such as cultural institutions, publishing, non-profit organizations, education, communication, and digital content creation. The customizable nature of the program allows students to select coursework and project topics that align with specific career interests, making them more marketable in their chosen professional landscapes.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary at UB inherently fosters a strong global perspective through its flexible curriculum that encourages students to examine human experience and cultural phenomena across diverse regions and historical periods. By drawing on various disciplines, students gain insights into global interconnectivity, cultural exchange, and transnational issues explored through a humanities lens. The inclusion of fields like African and African American Studies, American Studies, and Asian Studies, alongside comparative literature and global gender studies, ensures engagement with a wide array of global narratives and viewpoints. This interdisciplinary global approach prepares graduates to critically analyze complex global issues and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of our interconnected world.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Humanities Interdisciplinary from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) is a highly customizable and flexible graduate program designed for students who wish to bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries within the arts and humanities, and sometimes beyond. This program empowers students to craft a unique course of study by integrating knowledge from various fields like literature, history, philosophy, media studies, and gender studies. UB's strong emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship and its diverse faculty expertise provide an ideal environment for M.A. in Humanities Interdisciplinary candidates to develop advanced critical thinking, research, and communication skills, preparing them for a wide array of academic and professional paths that value adaptability and a broad intellectual perspective.
Content Creator/Strategist: Graduates can apply their strong research, writing, and analytical skills to develop engaging content for digital platforms, marketing campaigns, educational materials, or corporate communications across various industries. This often involves understanding diverse audiences and narratives.
Communications Specialist/Public Relations: With excellent communication and critical thinking abilities, graduates are well-suited for roles in public relations, corporate communications, or media relations. They can manage organizational messaging, handle media inquiries, and craft narratives for public consumption.
Cultural Program Manager/Arts Administrator: Graduates can work in museums, art galleries, historical societies, cultural centers, or non-profit arts organizations. They develop, manage, and promote cultural programs, exhibitions, and events, leveraging their interdisciplinary understanding of cultural production and historical context.
Editor/Publisher: The rigorous analytical and writing training in a humanities M.A. makes graduates ideal candidates for roles in publishing houses, academic journals, or media companies. They can edit manuscripts, curate content, and contribute to the production of various publications.
Researcher (Academic or Applied): The program's emphasis on independent research prepares graduates for roles as research assistants or analysts in academic institutions, think tanks, non-profit organizations, or market research firms. They can conduct qualitative research, analyze complex cultural or social phenomena, and contribute to scholarly or policy reports.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist: With their nuanced understanding of identity, culture, and power dynamics, graduates can contribute to DEI initiatives in corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies, helping to foster inclusive environments and equitable practices.
Digital Humanist: Combining traditional humanities scholarship with digital tools and methodologies, graduates can work on digital archiving projects, build interactive historical narratives, develop digital humanities platforms, or analyze large textual datasets for academic institutions or cultural heritage organizations.
Grant Writer/Development Officer: Humanities graduates excel at crafting compelling narratives and arguments, making them valuable assets for non-profit organizations, universities, and arts institutions in securing funding through grant proposals and fundraising initiatives.
Education Program Developer (Non-traditional settings): Beyond K-12 or university teaching, graduates can develop educational programs and curricula for museums, historical sites, community organizations, or adult learning centers, translating complex ideas into accessible learning experiences.
Consultant: The ability to synthesize information from diverse sources, analyze complex problems, and communicate effectively makes humanities interdisciplinary graduates strong candidates for consulting roles. They can advise clients on issues ranging from organizational culture to strategic communications or market analysis.
