New-York Historical Society Launches Museum Studies Scholarship

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is thrilled to announce the launch of the New-York Historical Society President's Fellows in Museum Studies, a new scholarship that will offer tuition assistance to graduate students in the School's MA in Museum Studies program.

The New-York Historical Society, New York's first museum founded in 1804, generously donated $40,000 to the CUNY School of Professional Studies Foundation. This contribution from the museum will be used to fund a scholarship dedicated to providing support for graduate students from under-represented groups or who can demonstrate a commitment to diversity. 

“This generous gift from the New-York Historical Society Board represents an investment in creating a more inclusive and diverse leadership pipeline for our museums and cultural institutions,” said CUNY SPS Foundation Board Chair Blake Foote. “These institutions are at the heart of what makes New York City special, and they need the voices and perspectives of the students that CUNY SPS serves—minority women and BIPOC, working heads of household, adult learners, and those savvy in online education.”

The President's Fellows in Museum Studies scholarship will provide tuition assistance in an amount of up to $2,000.00, depending on fund availability. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in at least six credits in the museum studies MA program and, as part of the application, write an essay describing their contribution to diversity and inclusion initiatives within the field.

Jenna Coplin, academic program manager of the museum studies program at CUNY SPS, reflected on the impact this gift will make. “Our students represent the future of cultural institutions,” said Coplin. “This scholarship, in honor of the New-York Historical Society President Louise Mirrer, supports diversity in museum spaces and ensures that museums continue to expand their reach and cultural influence.”

The President's Fellows in Museum Studies scholarship is the latest effort made by the New-York Historical Society and CUNY SPS to improve diversity in the museum field through the work of this groundbreaking museum education program.

About the CUNY SPS MA in Museum Studies

The MA in Museum Studies online degree program grounds students in the theory and practical applications of museum operations, including administration, finance, curation, technology, and education. Developed in collaboration with the New-York Historical Society (N-YHS), students gain the knowledge, skills, and preparation necessary to engage in professional museum practice.

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York’s leader in online education since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor’s and master’s degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University’s only undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor’s degree, progress from an associate’s degree, earn a master’s degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, and noted for its soaring growth and enrollment, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School’s renowned and affordable online programs—which offer in-state tuition to all students regardless of where they live—ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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