Duke in New York
Fall Creative Industries
Try on New York City for Duke Credit
Apply NowThe Duke in New York Creative Industries program immerses you in one of the world’s great cities, where you develop not only your intellectual skills but also your professional network.
The program’s core course—“The Arts, Culture, and Performance of New York”—offers an overview of New York’s arts, culture, and performance ecosystem. Each week, we attend and study curated events in art, dance, film, music, film, and theater. Along the way, students meet and network with leading professionals drawn from New York’s arts, culture, and performance organizations.
A second core course is a practicum keyed to an internship of your choice in the professional worlds of art, culture, and performance. Internships are eligible for credit in Art History, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Music, Theater Studies, and Visual & Media Studies. Credit in other departments can sometimes be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
A third course changes each fall and offers a practical, historical, and theoretical dive into a specific cultural form, guided by artistic leaders in the field.
A fourth class is chosen freely from the expansive offerings at NYU. Students may work in any discipline they wish, earning credit toward their majors at Duke.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: New York City, NY, USA
Term: Fall
Dates: Arrive between August 23 - 27 and depart between December 10 - 21. See details in the Dates section below.
Application Deadline: March 1
Academic Theme(s): Creative Industries: Art History, Arts Journalism, Cinematic Arts, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theater Studies, Visual and Media Studies
Credit Type: Hybrid Credit
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (exceptions on a case-by-case basis). Open to students from all majors. Non-Duke students and DKU students are not eligible for this program. Students on academic/behavioral probation are not eligible for this program.
Duke Affiliation: Co-sponsored by all of Duke's arts departments: Art, Art History, and Visual Studies; Dance; English; Music; and Theater Studies
Housing: Residence Hall
GEO Advising: Request an appointment
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Duke in New York students
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Duke in New York
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Duke in New York
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Duke in New York
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Duke in New York
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Visit to Google NYC headquarters
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Hamilton on Broadway
ACADEMICS
On this program, you have the opportunity to earn three Duke credits and one transfer credit. The program structure gives you the flexibility to customize coursework to suit your goals and interests. You will enroll in the following courses:
- Two core courses taught by Duke faculty, for one Duke credit each
- A practicum course (which includes a work experience/apprenticeship) for one Duke credit
- One course at NYU, for transfer credit
The following policies regarding course load are in effect:
- Students must enroll in four full courses. No underloads and no overloads are permitted.
- All courses must be taken for graded credit.
- CORE COURSES
- NYU COURSES
CORE COURSES
Core Courses
The Arts, Culture, and Performance of New York
(ALP, CCI) 1.0 Duke credit
ART HISTORY 203A, CINEMATIC ARTS 217A, DANCE 203A, ENGLISH 203A, JOURNALISM 392A-10, MUSIC 215A, THEATER STUDIES 203A, VISUAL AND MEDIA STUDIES 272A
This course introduces its participants to New York though its rich artistic, cultural, and performance offerings. They attend art openings, drag shows, literary readings, sports events, symphonies, and modern dance performances. They visit design studios, galleries, opera houses, museums, television studios, and architectural landmarks. They scrutinize fashion, films, exhibitions, ballets, musicals, and works of literature.
Inside the classroom participants meet professionals (including Duke alumni) working in New York’s culture industries as the class analyzes what it has experienced. Guided by scholarship on art, dance, design, fashion, film, literature, music, sport, television, and theater, they pay particular interest to Performance Studies—an interdisciplinary field that investigates how performance pervades social and cultural life. These readings will theorize how arts, culture, and performance shape individuals, forge community, and make New York the iconic city it is. This course may be used as an elective toward majors in Art History, Cinematic Arts, Dance, English, Music, Theater Studies, and Visual & Media Studies.
Reading Theater in New York
1 Duke credit
ENGLISH 187A, THEATER STUDIES 187A
Theater is a live art in which an assembly of people (some working on stage and some off) tell a story to another assembly of people, the audience. This course introduces this art from two, interwoven perspectives: one focused on theater history and one focused on theater-making. The theater-historical perspective of the course treats these plays as artifacts of past performances. We study the scripts not only as literature but also for what they reveal about their contexts of original production and the theater artists who made them, guided by the extensive archival records at the New York City Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. We consider the acting, directing, and design conventions that animated the scripts; the theater spaces for which they were intended; and the audiences for whom they were performed. The theater-making perspective of the course treats these scripts as blueprints for future performances. Through the creative endeavors of acting, design, and directing—and with the guidance of various guest artists (some from inside Duke’s alumni network) in New York and site visits to theaters and rehearsal rooms—we explore how the history of theater continues to make its presence felt in the work of new performers.
Participants will attend a wide range of shows in New York: musicals, comedies, and dramas; on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and touring from other theater centers internationally.
Attendance at outings is mandatory. Assignments include readings, participation, three short essays, and a performance or presentation.
This course is open only to students admitted to the Duke in New York fall program.
Internship in New York
1.0 Duke credit
ART HISTORY 204A, CINEMATIC ARTS 209A, DANCE 205A, ENGLISH 314A, JOURNALISM 392A-20, MUSIC 216A, THEATER STUDIES 205A, VISUAL & MEDIA STUDIES 213A
Participants in this course are immersed in the professional work of New York’s arts, culture, and performance industries through apprenticeship to a sponsoring artist, institution, or organization. Participants work fifteen hours per week at their internship and meet arts professionals from within and beyond Duke’s alumni network. They also meet regularly with their supervising professor. In combination, this work experience, networking opportunity, and academic reflection help interns develop their professional capabilities, refine their interpersonal and workplace skills, and prepare for future work in creative industries. The course culminates in a substantive paper analyzing the student’s sponsoring artist or institution in relation to the larger arts ecosystem in New York.
This course may be used as an elective toward majors in Art History, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Music, Theater Studies, and Visual & Media Studies. Credit in other departments can sometimes be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
NYU COURSES
NYU Courses for Transfer Credit
Students will enroll in a course at New York University for transfer credit.
Please consult the GEO Approved Course Database to view NYU courses that have been previously approved for transfer credit.
You are not limited to the courses listed in the database, however, new courses are subject to departmental approval at Duke. Please see the section on our website regarding how to request course approval. The NYU course catalog can be searched here.
MORE INFO ON APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE
A for-credit apprenticeship/work experience is a required part of the program. Students are responsible for securing their own work experience, which is typically unpaid. Program faculty and staff can give guidance in your search for a position, connecting you with our sizable list of professional contacts across various creative sectors. Students are required to work 15 to 20 hours per week throughout the semester.
Attention: International Students If you are an international student studying at Duke on a visa (such as F-1), you will need to obtain the required CPT or OPT authorization for the internship that is a required part of this program. Please contact Duke Visa Services immediately for assistance.
- ORGANIZATIONS
- MMS CREDIT
ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations
Duke in New York has an excellent reputation in a wide variety of organizations in New York, including nonprofits, corporations, performing arts centers, and media networks. Many former Duke in New York interns have been hired at full-time arts and media jobs after graduation, having made great contacts and gained invaluable experience while in the program.
While we cannot guarantee that students will get the internships of their dreams, we provide them with the guidance that will maximize their chances. By and large, Duke in New York students find internships in their fields of choice, and many get several offers.
MMS CREDIT
MMS Credit
The Markets and Management Studies Program may retroactively award elective credit at the MMS Program Director's discretion for your apprenticeship / work experience under certain conditions:
- The project must have a business focus and must involve, for example, research and analysis of some sort.
- It should result in a paper to be submitted for review by the Markets and Management Studies Director.
Projects that are not deemed acceptable are ones without critical thinking or any analysis. (For example, projects that provide only a description of the internship experience.)
Example Projects
- An analysis of competitor websites for a firm and a redesign of a firm’s website with a paper highlighting the approaches taken by competitors versus the firm’s approach. Included in the final paper were secondary sources bolstering the decisions the firms made.
- An analysis of pricing approaches taken by firms in a particular industry. The student produced a benchmarking study of several firms in the industry. Secondary sources used to explain the various approaches and their pros and cons. A resulting paper turned in to MMS.
- An analysis of a particular product launch, highlighting what worked well and what did not work well. The student conducted post product launch surveys with customers and integrated that primary research into a paper.
Plan Your Project
It is important to think about what the project will be before and during the internship rather than writing something up after the internship is completed, hoping it will be accepted. The MMS Program's decision to award credit really depends on the effort you put in and the final project submitted.
It is strongly recommended that you schedule an appointment with the MMS Program Director to plan your project in advance:
Dr. Martha Reeves
MMS Program Director
mreeves@duke.edu
HOUSING & MEALS
Students are housed in double rooms. There are a limited number of single rooms available. Students with Duke-approved disability accommodations will be prioritized for single rooms. Without a Duke-approved disability accommodation, a single room cannot be guaranteed.
Please read more about Educational Housing Services (EHS) Covid-19 protocols here: https://www.studenthousing.org/student-life/new-yorker/community/nyer-covid19
Duke in New York students live at the St. George in Brooklyn Heights. This residence includes three towers: St. George Studio, St. George Weller, and St. George Clark. All are connected by a lobby and student community center. Duke in New York students live in the St. George Studio and St. George Weller towers.
The St. George is managed by Educational Housing Services (EHS), a non-profit company that provides student housing in several areas of New York City. All residents of the St. George are students enrolled at accredited colleges and universities. EHS staff members also live in the building and are on hand at all times to assist student residents.
Each room has a refrigerator with a freezer, and a microwave. A central, shared kitchen is available for residents.
The Neighborhood
The historic Brooklyn Heights location of the St. George has much to offer, including close proximity to the Brooklyn Promenade, a popular walkway on the East River with great views of the Statue of Liberty, lower Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn Bridge Park, one of the city’s newest and largest park areas, is also accessible near the St. George.
The area around the St. George has everything to meet students' day-to-day needs, including restaurants, cafés, pharmacies, grocery stores, and banks. Multiple subway lines (2, 3, 4, 5, N, R, A, C, E) are within walking distance, so getting anywhere in the city is easy.
COSTS
FALL 2025
These costs are estimated based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
| Duke Students | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | TBD |
| Program Fee | TBD |
| Housing Fee | (see below) |
| Transcript Fee | N/A |
| Other Costs* | See Cost Sheet |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | TBD |
*A customizable program cost sheet that includes a breakdown of other costs is available on the programs' MyGlobalEd brochure page.
Explanation of Costs
For Fall 2024, the rate for a double room is TBD. There are a limited number of single rooms. Singles are only guaranteed for students with Duke SDAO accommodations on file.
The program fee for this program includes:
- Lodging
- Local transportation
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Membership card from American Alliance of Museums
- Orientation program
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
The program fee does not include:
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- Meal Plan
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Textbooks and class materials
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies.
Step 1: Within 3 weeks of acceptance to the program, confirm your enrollment by submitting the non-refundable $1,000 deposit. Deposits are payable by check or Student Account E-Check. If you receive Duke financial aid, submit the Deposit Waiver Form in lieu of the deposit. Log in to MyExperientiallEd for remittance instructions or waiver form.
NOTE: If you withdraw after committing to the program, there may be financial consequences.
Step 2: Complete all post-acceptance items listed on your MyGlobalEd application, including the Participation Agreement and any program-specific forms.
Step 3: Semester invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. All financial arrangements involving Duke University must be completed prior to departure for the program.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving financial aid are eligible for aid for this program (work-study funds must be converted to loans). Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and the Bursar.
DATES
Fall 2025
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events.
- Arrival: Students move in no later than August 27 (orientation begins August 28).
- Last Day of Courses: December 9
- Departure: Students must complete their final exams at NYU before departure from the program. If students do not have exams, the earliest they can depart is December 10.
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date. Students must complete their final exams at NYU before departing.
FACULTY & STAFF
Program faculty director(s) can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: March 1
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early.
Minimum GPA: The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for Duke students wishing to study away during the semester is 2.7 (3.0 for Pratt students) on a scale of 4.0. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is recommended for this program.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are not eligible for this program.
International Students: If you are an international student studying at Duke on a visa (such as F-1), you will need to obtain the required CPT or OPT authorization for the internship that is a required part of this program. Please contact Duke Visa Services immediately for assistance.
All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, handicap, sexual orientation or preference, gender or age.
Duke in New York Program
The Duke in New York program is a year-round academic experience offered exclusively to Duke students. The program consists of three separate tracks, each of which has a distinct theme and requires a separate application. Duke students can elect to enroll in just one track, or multiple. Currently, Duke in New York includes the following tracks:
Information specific to each track, such as housing, coursework, and cost, is on the track-specific website.
Physical Requirements
Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:
- Walking approximately a mile in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, or cobbled terrain
- Climbing and descending stairs
- Using public transportation, including sometimes crowded buses or trains
- Standing during tours and site visits
- Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators
- The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning
If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Duke Office of Global Health and Safety (oghs@duke.edu)
APPLY
Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Duke in NY Creative Industries questionnaire (online)
- Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate on this program
- One academic recommendation
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.