New York Graduate Schools: Masters & Doctorate Degree Programs

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Why Choose A University in New York State

Going to grad school in New York State may provide you the opportunity to study a variety of topics – from arts and finance to architecture and fashion – in a variety of settings – from exciting urban centers to relaxed university towns. The state has a broad selection of universities from which to choose and draws many international graduate students. No matter if you choose a city or a small town, you’ll be close to if not surrounded by idyllic nature, from lakes and streams to mountains and state parks. For a break from a busy classroom, New York State has a plethora of campgrounds, mountains, lakes and streams, and hiking trails to explore.

What It’s Like to Live in New York State

New York is the 27th largest state in the U.S., but judging by its diversity it seems a lot larger. To be sure, New York could excite or overwhelm prospective graduate students, depending on where you want to attend school. New York is a sprawling state, rich with diversity and culture. There’s something for everyone here and attending a grad school here could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. Each part of New York offers a variety of stellar attractions, so here’s a breakdown of what the state has to offer.

Albany and the Adirondacks

Further north up the Hudson is the Empire State Capital – Albany. Business, economic, and government fuels the city while hosting a strong nightlife scene and stately museums. Surrounding the capital are the deep-green Adirondack Mountains, with its soaring peaks and luminescent lakes – a haven for outdoor adventures. Nearby Sarasota Springs offers some of New York’s best spas, sophisticated nightlife, and horse racing.

The Finger Lakes

Producing some of the finest wines in the United States, the Fingers Lakes holds some of the State’s finest natural treasures. The rural area holds some 1,000 waterfalls, thin glacial lakes, small villages, and historic 19th-century architecture. And then there’s wine – more than 100 wineries dot the landscape, many of which are open for tours and tastings. To complement the wine industry are many quaint bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants. Ithaca, Rochester, and Syracuse are the main cities in this region, and all of them hold many institutions of higher learning.

Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Western New York

With its thriving economy of technology, manufacturing, and service industries, Buffalo is the bustling, snowy center of Western New York. Excellent museums and a stunning collection of Frank Lloyd Wright homes highlight the state’s second largest city, which also serves as a gateway to the nation’s first state park – Niagara Falls. The Falls draws thousands of tourist each year and make for a perfect day trip. The rest of the region is filled with lakes, charming hamlets, and wineries.

New York City

Like no other city in the world, New York City buzzes with culture and an intoxicating energy. The city is divided into five boroughs, each of which offers something different for the prospective NYC grad student. Manhattan: The smallest but most densely populated borough, Manhattan is home to the city’s stellar collection world-class museums, Times Square, leafy Central Park, Wall Street, Chinatown, and Fifth Avenue Shopping. It’s neighborhoods are popular attractions in their own right, from the hip East Village and its quaint and quiet leafy West Village to Harlem’s rows of stunning brownstones and Midtown’s iconic skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. Trendy cocktail bars, jazz and rock venues, be-seen clubs, some of the world’s finest restaurants, and its fashionable couture boutiques all make up the urban buzz found here. Brooklyn: The most populous borough, Brooklyn is home to some of the city’s coolest and historic neighborhoods—from the affluent brownstone-lined streets of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Park Slope to the hipster enclaves of Greenpoint, Bushwick, and Williamsburg. The borough also features such beachfront communities as Brighton Beach and Coney Island. Other neighborhoods include DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Crown Heights, and Bay Ridge. Queens: North of Brooklyn, Queens is home to largely residential and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Long Island City and Astoria are the closest to Manhattan. Both John F. Kennedy Airport or LaGuardia Airport are located in Queens, as well as the New York Mets’ home stadium, Citi Field. The Bronx: Across the Harlem River from Manhattan’s northern shores, the Bronx is home to Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and Little Italy. Staten Island: South of Manhattan across New York Harbor, Staten Island is accessible by the free Staten Island Ferry. On the way, you’ll get up-close views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Long Island

East of the New York City lies Long Island, which holds many ethinically diverse communities, many of which are accessible to New York City by train. On the far eastern end of the island are the rich and famous playground beach communities of the Hamptons and Montauk.

Hudson Valley and the Catskills

A few hours north of New York City, Hudson Valley and the Catskills are filled with verdant forests, wineries, quaint mountain and riverside towns, cozy bed-and-breakfasts, bike routes, and waterfalls. It’s basically an outdoor paradise close the city. Visitors also flock to the area for outdoor adventures such as skiing and ziplining.

Fun Fact

New York is the 4th most populated state in the United States. About 1 in every 37 people living in the U.S.A. is a New York City resident.

About Graduate Schools in New York

The largest and most populated city in the state, New York City is home to many graduate schools with a variety of academic programs. Students may enrich their experience and education outside the classroom by visiting the many museums and taking in the many cultural events around the city. Your graduate school in New York City may even have formal programs and partnership to enhance your academic experience. You could enroll in in certificate, doctorate, or masters programs in New York City. Many grad schools in New York State can be found outside of New York City in smaller cities like Buffalo, New York. Albany, the state’s capital, could be a perfect place to study politics, government, and other topics. Buffalo is another great city to pursue a graduate degree, with its proximity to Toronto. Rochester is another option, as it’s a home to many Fortune 1000 international businesses. Also check out the smaller towns, which offer a number of graduate schools in a more quiet setting.

Popular Graduate Programs in New York State

From communications and media to economics and finance, here are some the top options to study at the graduate level.

Communications

For those looking for work in media, the Master of Science in Marketing Communication Management at Manhattanville College in Purchase focuses on marketing, digital media, public relations, and social media. The Graduate Field of Communication at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, places an emphasis on science, media, and technology through social contexts. At New York University in New York City, the Graduate Program in Culture and Media studies the relationships between culture and media in a number of domains.

Fashion

At LIM College in New York City, students in the Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management program will study key concepts within retail fashion management including merchandising, sales and consumer behavior, retailing, and product management. The New School in New York City focuses on educating designers to be sophisticated entrepreneurs. In Rochester, the Metals and Jewelry Design, MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology focuses on expanding students’ knowledge of applied design, strengthening perceptual and philosophical concepts, and developing an individual mode of expression.

Real Estate

Real Estate is everchanging and evergrowing throughout the state, especially in New York City and its surrounding communities and in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. The Master of Science in Real Estate Practice program at Pratt University in NYC seeks to train students in the core discipline and skills of real estate practice. Both the Baker Program in Real Estate at Cornell University in Ithaca and the Real Estate program at Hofstra University on Long Island prepare students for career success through workshops and counseling sessions.

Economics

The Economics program at Binghamton University in Binghamton provides students with a strong emphasis on quantitative training with small class sizes that fosters high student-faculty interactions. The Program in Economic Policy Management at Columbia University in New York City has a strong emphasis on the economic problems of developing and transition economies. An MBA in International Economics at Pace University in New York City seeks to prepare students who intend to pursue careers in the international sphere.

Fine Art

Graduate arts programs might prepare students to turn their passion into a professional career. The Master of Arts, Modern and Contemporary Art and the Market at Christie’s Education in New York City gives students access to a wide range of art professionals with first-hand knowledge of the workings of the art world, and the transferable skills they need to become art world professionals. The M.F.A. Program in Visual Studies at the College of Brockport focuses on the history, theory, criticism, and practice of photography, book arts, independent film, video and new media. New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology’s Illustration program is a place for illustrators to experience a range of traditional studio classes and field trips that embrace the exciting pulse and resources of New York City.

Finance

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance could aim to foster in students a solid set of management and leadership skills. Students are often exposed to a variety of business disciplines along with their area of emphasis in areas such as banking and finance. Programs include International Finance at the City University of New York, Masters in Finance for Professionals at Pace University – both in New York City – and the Finance program at Syracuse University.

Find a list of 164 Graduate School Programs in New York State

There really is no end to the things you can do, see, learn, and research in New York State. You may want to start your search by reviewing our full listings of Graduate Schools in New York below. Or you can filter this list by program level and area of study. Look forMBA programs in NY, arts programs in NYC orNY doctorate programs. Just set your filters such as degree level, program format, and subject with the help of the menu bar. Choose from among graduate programs in New York State based on your preferences. Then get matched with the on-page form. It’s easy and free!
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