The New School - Undergraduate Programs - 2023

Undergraduate programs at a glance

Parsons School of Design

Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts

College of Performing Arts

Parsons Paris

• 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio

• 9,500+ degree-seeking students

• 35% international students

• 126 degree and diploma programs

• 58 New School alumni have been added to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list since its inception in 2011

• 86% of admitted undergraduate students are awarded merit-based institutional financial aid 1

1 2022–2023 academic year.

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT

• At The New School, you’ll discover a rigorous, multidimensional approach to education that cultivates progressive thinking and changemaking paths. Our university of scholars, performers, artists, and designers enjoy the academic freedom to create unique courses of study attuned to a complex and rapidly changing world.

A century ago, a few great minds imagined higher education that could challenge convention and champion the world-changing power of lifelong learning and creative scholarship. The New School was the result. Today we carry forward this legacy in the schools and colleges making up our university: Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, the College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, the Schools of Public Engagement, Parsons Paris, and Continuing and Professional Education. Our diverse community continually dissolves the walls between traditional disciplines—and between the classroom and the world.

At our university, journalists collaborate with designers, architects with sociologists, and musicians with activists to create effective new solutions and rewarding career paths in established and emerging fields. Classes led by instructors who practice in their fields prepare you for your chosen profession. And with urban centers like New York City and Paris as your classroom, you have access to internships with the organizations and leaders transforming every industry. Join us; we’re learning something New every day.

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Architectural Design BFA

Communication Design BFA, AAS

Design and Technology BFA

Design History and Practice BFA

Fashion Design BFA, AAS

Fashion Marketing and Communication AAS

Fine Arts BFA

Illustration BFA

Integrated Design BFA

Interior Design BFA, AAS

Photography BFA

Product Design BFA

Strategic Design and Management BBA

PARSONS PARIS

Art, Media, and Technology BFA

Fashion Design BFA

Strategic Design and Management BBA

EUGENE LANG COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Anthropology BA

The Arts BA

Concentrations in Visual Studies and in Arts in Context

Contemporary Dance BA

Contemporary Music BA

Culture and Media BA

Economics BA

Environmental Studies BA1

Global Studies BA1

History BA

Interdisciplinary Science BA

Journalism + Design BA

Liberal Arts BA, BS

Literary Studies BA

Concentrations in Literature and in Writing

Philosophy BA

Politics BA

Psychology BA

Screen Studies BA

Sociology BA

Theater BA

Urban Studies BA1

COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS

Mannes School of Music

Composition BM

Guitar BM

Instrumental Performance BM

Concentrations in Brass, Percussion, Strings, and Winds

Piano BM

Theory BM

Voice BM

School of Drama

Dramatic Arts BFA

School of Jazz and Contemporary Music

Jazz and Contemporary Music BFA

Concentrations in Instrumental and in Vocal

SCHOOLS OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT (SPE)

SPE’s Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students gives adult students the flexibility to tailor their degree to their individual interests and needs—including the option of part-time or online study. To learn more, visit newschool.edu/ bachelors-program/academics.

1 Administered jointly with the Schools of Public Engagement.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Ba/Bfa Dual Degree

Consider pursuing both liberal arts studies and a studio or conservatory education, completing two degrees in five years. You can combine the seminar-style liberal arts education offered by Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts with professional training provided by Parsons School of Design or the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.

newschool.edu/babfa

Bachelor's-Master's Program

Undergraduate students can take graduate-level courses beginning in their junior year. You can earn up to 18 credits (depending on the master’s program) and apply those credits to both undergraduate and graduate degrees at The New School. To explore the list of bachelor’s-master’s options, visit our website.

newschool.edu/bachelors-masters

Opportunities for Transfer Students

Our undergraduate programs support students transferring from both two- and four-year institutions. Additionally, our Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students is specifically designed for adult students seeking a flexible program to complete their degree.

newschool.edu/transfer

newschool.edu/bachelors-program

Study Abroad

The New School fosters a global outlook and engagement with pressing world issues through its study abroad programs, Parsons Paris campus, and partnerships for international learning. These opportunities include short-term to yearlong stays in

countries such as Norway, South Africa, France, Poland, China, and Brazil.

newschool.edu/study-abroad

Pre-College Programs

Want to take a course before enrolling, develop your musical talents, or create an art and design portfolio for admission? The New School offers pre-college programs— both on campus and online—in a range of topics, including creative writing, journalism and design, music performance, and portfolio development. These courses and programs let you explore, prepare for college, and, in some cases, earn university credit.

newschool.edu/youth-teen

Internships and Careers

Interning complements your studies and connects you with NYC firms, organizations, and nonprofits. By graduation, 98 percent of our students will have completed from one to five internships, many of which lead to employment. With the help of our Student Success staff and alumni network, graduates go on to careers in a range of fields, launch entrepreneurial ventures, or pursue advanced studies.

newschool.edu/outcomes

UNIVERSITY MINORS

Our wide range of minors enable New School students to explore their interests and connect with peers across all of our schools and colleges. Students can acquire professional skills, develop an interdisciplinary outlook, and gain a competitive edge on job and graduate school applications.

Anthropology

Art and Design History

Audio Production

Capitalism Studies

Chinese Studies

Code as a Liberal Art

Comics and Graphic Narrative

Communication Design

Contemporary Dance

Contemporary Music

Creative Coding

Creative Entrepreneurship

Culture and Media

Data Visualization

Design Studies

Dramatic Arts

Economics

Environmental Studies

Fashion Communication

Fashion Studies

Film Production

Fine Arts

Food Studies

French Studies

Gender Studies

Global Studies

Hispanic Studies

History

Immersive Storytelling

Interdisciplinary Science

Japanese Studies

Jewish Culture

Journalism + Design

Literature

Management and Leadership

Migration Studies

Moving Image Arts

Museum and Curatorial Studies

Music Composition

Philosophy

Photography

Politics

Post-Genre Music: Performance and Creation

Printmaking

Psychology

Race and Ethnicity

Religious Studies

Screenwriting

Social Practice

Sociology

Sustainable Cities

Techniques of Music (Theory, Ear Training, Dictation)

Temporary Environments

Theater

Urban Studies

Visual Studies

Writing

OUR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The New School is truly a global university, welcoming students and faculty from a number of countries. This diversity makes The New School an ideal place to engage in cross-cultural academic collaboration and prepare to work in a globalized professional landscape. Whether you are applying from abroad for a four-year program or for a semester as an exchange or visiting student, you’ll have access to a host of services to help you adjust to life in our thriving academic and artistic community. Support ranges from help with visa information and paperwork to social activities. We want to become your home away from home.

newschool.edu/isss

• 116 countries and territories represented on campus

• #1 most international university in the United States 1 1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022.

ESL Opportunities

The New School’s ESL preparation programs offer English language training that strengthens your language abilities, facilitating successful study while introducing you to the vocabulary and concepts of your major. You build confidence in presenting your work and ideas while making connections with peers in a supportive learning environment.

newschool.edu/esl

NYC Campus

• One university, seven colleges, and two urban campuses woven into their NYC and Paris settings.

The New School and its city campuses offer an unparalleled college experience. The location of our main campus in downtown Manhattan means that your education unfolds in a historic center of theater, art, music, and thought, challenging you to imagine yourself anew. You’ll form bonds in departmental events, university organizations, and campus activities, with endless resources at your fingertips and a community to last a lifetime.

Housing

Our housing offers a safe and supportive environment in which to transition from home to college, learn to appreciate differences, and make lifelong friends. Our five residence halls in NYC are located in Greenwich Village; options in Paris include centrally located shared housing. Staff organize a variety of social, cultural, and educational activities. For more information, visit newschool.edu/housing and newschool.edu/parsons-paris/housing.

Student Activities

Find your community outside the classroom through our many student organizations, focused on topics ranging from social activism to contemporary art and photography to university governance to urban policy. You can also meet classmates who share your passions in free sports programs and fitness and wellness classes. See what we offer at newschool.edu/campus-life.

FINANCIAL AID ADMISSION

The New School is committed to providing access to education. We fund institutional scholarships, fellowships, grants, and stipends through a comprehensive financial aid program. We also participate in government grant, loan, and work-study programs as well as programs for veterans of the U.S. armed services. All admitted students are considered for merit aid on the basis of academic and creative ability. U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can apply for need-based federal financial assistance by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at fafsa.ed.gov and using The New School’s code, 002780.

newschool.edu/financial-aid

The New School seeks self-motivated, creative, curious, and socially engaged students hungry for bold ideas and new solutions. You’ll produce work that is aimed at creating a better world. You’ll encounter people and ideas that will broaden your worldview, challenge everything you think you know, and inspire you with the courage to make a difference.

Some of our programs have unique admission requirements. To learn more, visit the website of the school or program of interest or contact the Office of Admission. We’re here to help.

newschool.edu/admission

Additional Requirements by School Or Program

Parsons and Parsons Paris1

• Portfolio

College of Performing Arts

• Mannes and Jazz fall-entry applicants participate in live auditions that are held on campus in February and March (spring-entry applicants must submit an audition recording).2 Students who are unable to travel to campus may submit a final recorded audition.

• School of Drama applicants must submit an artist’s portfolio and participate in a live and/or video conference audition or interview.

BA/BFA (Lang and Parsons or Lang and Jazz)

• Supplemental essay

1 BBA students are not required to submit a portfolio.

2 All Jazz applicants and Mannes Composition, Piano, and Voice applicants are required to submit a pre-screening video.

Admission Instructions

Application Requirements

• Common Application: Apply under “The New School” for all programs.

• Essay 1: In your study or work at The New School, what social issue or system would you make the focus of your efforts to effect change? (200–400 words)

• Essay 2: What specific aspects of The New School’s academic programs or community drew you to apply? In your essay, pay particular attention to the college and program that you have applied to. (200–400 words)

• Letters of recommendation: one from a teacher and one from a counselor

• Transcripts

Optional

• SAT or ACT score

• Common Application personal essay

Spring Admission

• October 15

• November 1 (Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students)

summer Admission

• April 1 (Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students)

Fall Early Action

• November 1 (Parsons, Lang, Drama)

• November 2 (Parsons Paris)

Fall Admission

• December 1 (Mannes)

• January 15 (Parsons, Parsons Paris, Lang, Jazz, Drama)

• March 1 (transfer applicants)

• April 1 (AAS programs, Parsons Paris transfer applicants)

• June 1 (Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students)

For important information including accreditation, student rights, campus safety statistics, and tuition and fees, visit newschool.edu/your-right-to-know

Published 2023 by The New School. The New School is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.

Photo Credits: Sophie Barkham, Theo Cote, James Ewing, Ben Ferrari, Adeline Lulo, Matthew Mathews, Siobhan Mullan, Jacob Arthur Pritchard, Martin Seck, Michael Kirby Smith, Phillip Van Nostrand, Cole Wilson

This brochure is printed on 100 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.