NSSR Viewbook - 2026

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graduate programs

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The New School for Social Research in Context: A Welcome from Executive Dean ALEX Aleinikoff Welcome to The New School for Social Research (NSSR), a unique graduate school and center of critical inquiry and social engagement in the heart of New York City.

Our distinctive intellectual tradition dates back more than a century and is inspired by progressive American thought, European critical theory, and the refugee scholars who formed our University in Exile in the 1930s. NSSR attracts scholars from around the world who are willing to challenge academic orthodoxy, connect theory to real-world challenges, and take the intellectual and political risks necessary to improve social conditions.

faculty and classmates in classrooms, in our interdisciplinary research centers, in writing fora, and at public debates, readings, and conferences across the city.

Here, at this global crossroads, you will address the most important problems facing our world: racism, economic inequality, forced migration, climate change, the suppression of democracy and free speech, and many other increasingly complex issues.

I am enormously proud of our students, faculty, and alumni and of their commitment to the ideals of what a progressive university can and must be.

I hope you will consider joining this distinctive community of scholars.

Hear Executive Dean Alex Aleinikoff describe the ways the social sciences and humanities come together in the

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Students like you come to NSSR to be challenged and inspired by our renowned

work of NSSR students and faculty.

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academics

NSSR master’s and doctoral degree programs span the social sciences, humanities, and related disciplines. They foster intellectual rigor and encourage close collaboration between faculty and students in small classes. In this distinctive intellectual environment, students produce groundbreaking scholarship and advance public debate and policy.

To learn more, visit newschool.edu/nssr/academics. To view NSSR courses, visit courses.newschool.edu.

Graduate Programs Anthropology MA Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism MA1 Creative Writing MFA Economics MA, MS Global Political Economy and Finance MA1 Historical Studies MA Liberal Studies MA Philosophy MA2 Politics MA Psychology MA3 Clinical Psychology PhD3 Sociology MA

92%

of NSSR graduates found employment or pursued advanced education 3 to 12 months after graduation4

1 STEM-designated.

2 MA Philosophy students can pursue a concentration in Psychoanalytic Studies.

3 The concentration in the Treatment of Substance Use and Other Addictive Behaviors (CTSAB) is an optional academic and clinical training program offered in conjunction with the MA in Psychology.

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(For information on CTSAB certification, visit newschool.edu/provost/accreditation-state-authorization.)

4 2024 survey data.

Certificate Program Gender and Sexuality Studies Advanced Certificate5

Graduate Minors Graduate minors are structured pathways of study that immerse master’s and doctoral students in disciplines outside of their primary field. Students gain exposure to new ideas and alternative modes of research and practice, broadening their skills and career options. newschool.edu/nssr/graduate-minors

when I venture across disciplines; both the creative and the theoretical aspects are always at play.”

—James Trybendis, PhD Philosophy student, Design Studies minor

Read about Professor Nicolas Langlitz’s research on the philosophical dimensions of using psychedelics as medicine.

5 The graduate certificate is an Advanced Certificate program open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree.

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“ I find that my philosophical work is more productive

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faculty

NSSR’s faculty are known the world over as leading scholars and contributors to social, political, and intellectual debates.

On campus, they are also known as fellow researchers and writers and as your mentors. Our full-time professors, visiting scholars, and part-time faculty members guide you as you pursue your academic and vocational ambitions.

To learn more about our celebrated faculty, visit newschool.edu/nssr/faculty.

“ The skills and training we impart in reporting, writing, analysis, political thought, and design are informed by an ethic of critical engagement. We’re not your typical journalism program—thank goodness.”

— Natasha Lennard, associate director of the MA Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism program

Hear Professor Will Milberg’s thoughts on economics as a tool for fighting authoritarianism.

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network are libraries, research centers, inter-university partners, academic publishing platforms, and NSSRand student-organized activities.

Libraries and archives The New School maintains three libraries as well as relationships with partners such as the Research Library Association of South Manhattan, one of the country’s largest inter-university library consortia; Cardozo Law School of Yeshiva University; and the 300-member Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency. The New School Archives also holds documents from individuals associated with the university, which support NSSR-led research.

For more information, visit library.newschool.edu.

research and learning resources

Augmenting your intellectual work and professional

Centers, Institutes, and Labs NSSR’s many innovative centers, programs, and institutes fund research, create opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue, and foster community. The centers are integral to students’ intellectual life, offering fellowships and advising resources that aid master’s and doctoral researchers. These centers engage with topics including migration, social movements, design and ethnography, and capitalism. Several carry the names of celebrated faculty members. newschool.edu/nssr/centers

Hear students discuss the ways an NSSR research group uses the power of memory to help threatened communities reclaim their past.

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Inter-University Doctoral Consortium NSSR is a member of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium (IUDC), along with graduate centers at universities including Columbia, NYU, Princeton, Fordham, Rutgers, and CUNY. Students in approved doctoral programs at these institutions can take courses at any other participating institution after securing approval from instructors and home and host schools. newschool.edu/iudc

Other Learning Opportunities Housed at NSSR are learning programs that operate outside of specific programs or academic terms. The week-long summer seminars offered on campus by the Institute for Critical Social Inquiry (ICSI), the MFA Creative Writing program’s summer program in Paris, and the interdisciplinary workshops, talks, and research of the Transregional Center for Democratic Studies (TCDS) represent opportunities to develop specialized study interests.

“ Sociology students who are interested in theory as well as politics, culture, and history and in using qualitative methods are a good fit for our department.”

— Rachel Sherman, Michael E. Gellert Professor of Sociology the new school 12

Hear Professor Jessica Pisano, a 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellow, describe the way her engagement with Ukrainian scholars sheds light on complex geopolitical issues while embodying NSSR’s mission of linking research and action.

Academic Journals and Publications NSSR’s scholarly community contributes to global intellectual discourse through a variety of journals and interactive online platforms. Students serve on the editorial staffs of several of these publications and frequently write articles and essays (either on their own or in conjunction with professors) as well. Below is a list of current publications. newschool.edu/nssr-journals • Public Seminar publicseminar.org • Social Research: An International Quarterly socres.org • Constellations onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14678675 pdcnet.org/gfpj/Graduate-Faculty-Philosophy-Journal • New School Psychology Bulletin nspb.net • New School Economic Review nsereview.org/index.php/NSER • BackMatter backmattermagazine.com • LIT Magazine litmagazine.org • 12th Street: Journal of Writing and Democracy 12thstreetonline.com • The Inquisitive Eater inquisitiveeater.com

Meet Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism program students and see their magazine, BackMatter.

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• Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal

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Creating Community The NSSR Executive Dean’s Office and Office of Academic Affairs strive to create an inclusive academic environment and make members of our diverse scholarly community feel at home. We foster community by supporting student activities and organizations and providing academic and career services. The Office of Academic Affairs administers fellowships, assistantships, prizes, and other financial awards designated specifically for NSSR students. Academic Affairs also oversees academic advising, academic policies, and graduation procedures.

To learn more, visit newschool.edu/nssr-advising and newschool.edu/ nssr/student-activities and follow us on Instagram to learn more about our community: instagram.com/nssrnews.

“ Our students make things happen. As entrepreneurs, activists, and writers, they work together to reimagine the world of publishing.”

—Luis Jaramillo, associate professor of writing

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Read about how Professor Benoit Challand’s students unearth hidden histories in the NYC landscape.

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and research positions in academic institutions, including universities, research centers, and libraries.

Others pursue careers in a range of fields and sectors, including: • Government

our alumni

Many NSSR graduates hold professorships and other teaching

• Think tanks and policy advocacy groups • Nonprofits, NGOs, and foundations • Technology, finance, business, and entrepreneurship • Books, magazines, and publishing

Our alumni lead in the development of knowledge, ideas, and policies that drive changemaking action. They demonstrate the relevance of the social sciences and humanities to public life in difficult times.

Meet some of our graduates on the following page, and learn more at newschool.edu/nssr/outcomes.

“Almost all my students are engaging with public policy; they see their work as having to be accountable to their society.”

— Teresa Ghilarducci, Irene and Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Economics and Policy Analysis

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Some Groundbreaking NSSR Graduates Heather Boushey, MA Economics ’96, PhD Economics ’98, former member of President Joe Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers, chief economist for Invest in America Cabinet, and former co-founder, president, and CEO of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth Karen Ng, PhD Philosophy ’13, associate professor of philosophy, Vanderbilt University

“ From an intellectual point of view, The New School has been a transformative place in that it has allowed me to think in a deeply and profoundly interdisciplinary way.”

— William Hirst, Malcolm B. Smith Professor of Psychology

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Listen to 2018 NSSR graduate Oscar Romero describing the innovative problem-solving strategies he learned at The New School and how they led him to become the chief information officer of the New York City Civic Engagement Commission.

Ray Acheson, MA Politics ’14, member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition of global NGOs awarded a Nobel Peace Prize Christopher Paul Harris, MA Historical Studies ’13, PhD Politics and Historical Studies ’19, assistant professor, Department of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Irvine Sean Manning, MFA Creative Writing ’03, president and publisher, Simon & Schuster Nelson Barbosa, PhD Economics ’02, an economist, professor at the São Paulo School of Economics, and former Brazilian minister of finance

associate director of the Center for the Advancement of Public Action, Bennington College Lex McMenamin, MA Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism ’21, freelance movement-building reporter for the Guardian’s Building Power series

Hear Matthew Steinfeld (MA Psychology ‘09, PhD Clinical Psychology ‘12) reflect on his time in the Psychology department and his path to becoming a professor and clinical psychologist.

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David Bond, PhD Anthropology ’14, faculty member in anthropology and

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Career Services The Center for Graduate Career and Professional Development is a resource for graduate students and alumni, providing information about both academic and nonacademic job markets. Center staff members assist students with application materials for fellowships and other advanced degree programs.

The center also aids in all aspects of the job search process, from writing employment application materials such as curricula vitae, résumés, teaching and research statements, and cover and follow-up letters to negotiating terms of employment and salary. The center hosts career-related and professional development workshops and sponsors events relevant to employment outside of academia. newschool.edu/nssr-careers

“ I was a fellow at the Zolberg Institute, and through that I worked with the International Rescue Committee on migration policy. I gained the critical and practical tools to enact change.”

— Zuzanna Krzatala, MA Liberal Studies ’19, activist and manager of sustainability in media, Vogue Polska

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Pick up a book by a member of the MFA Creative Writing community; visit our bookshelf and discover publications by our university students, faculty, and alumni.

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funding your education

Our comprehensive financial aid program provides competitive merit-based scholarships and need-based aid for those who qualify. More than 90 percent of our new full-time master’s students receive scholarships, covering an average of 49 percent of tuition. All applicants, including international students, are considered for merit-based aid.

For more information, visit newschool.edu/nssr-funding.

We also participate in government grant, loan, and work-study programs as well as programs for veterans of the U.S. armed services. The New School for Social Research proudly recognizes Fulbright students and partners with organizations such as Colfuturo to provide scholarship opportunities for graduate study in our programs.

“ My work has been nourished by being in New York and by the environment that the New School faculty and its eclectic graduate student body offer.”

— Ann Stoler, Willy Brandt Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and Historical Studies

Hear Darrick Hamilton, Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy and director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, outline the way to build a moral economy by putting people first.

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which can be accessed at newschool.edu/nssr/admission.

Select the “Apply Now” link.

Staff members of NSSR’s Office of Admission are available to answer your questions about the application process weekdays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET. Call 800.523.5411 (toll free) or 212.229.5600 or email socialresearchadmit@ newschool.edu.

Application Materials

admission and applying

The New School for Social Research uses an online system,

The following materials are required for application. All materials must be received before an application can be considered complete and reviewed.

• $50 nonrefundable application fee • A completed application form • A current résumé • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended • Two letters of recommendation • A statement of purpose describing your academic and intellectual interests, your progress, and achievements that have contributed to your decision to apply for postgraduate study (500–750 words) • An academic writing sample of 10 to 20 pages double-spaced. Applicants interested in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism may submit as their writing sample substantive newspaper, journal, or blog articles that display their critical thinking and writing abilities. Applicants interested in the MFA Creative Writing program must submit a writing portfolio appropriate for their concentration.

A TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, 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 or university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction.

GRE scores are not required.

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Application Deadlines NSSR has a rolling admission policy for its master’s and Advanced Certificate programs, but please note the following deadlines: Fall Semester (August) MA, MS, MFA, and Advanced Certificate applicants: January 15 is the priority deadline for scholarship consideration. The second deadline is May 5.

Spring Semester (Master’s and Advanced Certificate Admission Only) October 15 is the priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Academic Information and Advising You can view current courses offered at NSSR at courses.newschool.edu.

The Admission staff and student admission liaisons are available to answer questions about courses, research opportunities, and life at The New School.

“ In the Creative Writing program, we celebrate and cultivate daring and diverse voices. We don’t push a single style or work process; we want you to write the new school 28

your book.”

— John Reed, Creative Writing Program director and professor

WE ARE THE NEW SCHOOL Since its founding in 1919, The New School has been a center of independent thought, dialogue, and action. We are a community that applies integrative approaches to global problems and leads the systemic change needed to make the world more equitable, more sustainable, and better designed for all. Today our university is made up of colleges offering courses in art, design, media, and performing arts and in the liberal arts and social sciences.

Get in touch and take the next step Contact our team, learn about admission requirements, attend an admission event, or make an appointment.

Contact the Office of Admission 212.229.5150 admission@newschool.edu

For important information including accreditation, student rights, campus safety statistics, and tuition and fees, visit newschool.edu/your-right-to-know. Published 2026 by The New School. The New School is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Photo credits: BackMatter, James Ewing, Hey Wave Media, Matthew Mathews, The New School, Jacob Arthur Pritchard, Martin Seck, Michael Kirby Smith, Phillip Van Nostrand This brochure is printed on 30 percent post-consumer recycled paper with UV inks that conserve energy and material and do not release VOCs into the atmosphere—reflecting the university’s embrace of environmental responsibility.