Organizer Information
Parsons School of Design, a constituent college of The New School, is a premier global institution for art, design, and critical theory located in Greenwich Village, New York City. Founded in 1896, Parsons combines rigorous studio practice with interdisciplinary research, social engagement, and industry collaboration. Consistently ranked among the top art and design schools globally, Parsons offers undergraduate (BFA, BBA, AAS) and graduate (MA, MFA, MS, MPS) degree programs that prepare artists, designers, curators, and scholars to shape cultural and social landscapes.
Key Information
- Official Program Title: Parsons School of Design Graduate Degree Programs (MFA Fine Arts, MFA Photography, MA History of Design and Curatorial Studies, MA Fashion Studies, MS Data Visualization, MFA Design and Technology, MPS Fashion Management, MS Strategic Design and Management)
- Program Type: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) / Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) / Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
- Institution Name: Parsons School of Design at The New School
- Country / City: New York City, New York, United States
- Academic Field: Fine Arts, Photography, Curatorial Studies, History of Design, Fashion Studies, Design and Technology, Data Visualization, Media Studies, Cultural Studies
- Language of Degree: English
- Number of Open Study Places: Selective cohort allocations per concentration (typically average 15–24 students per seminar/studio cohort)
- Application Period: October 1 – January 5 (Priority graduate annual admission window)
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Late January – February (conducted online for select shortlisted applicants)
- Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Early March – Mid-April
- Application Deadline: January 5 (Priority Deadline for Fall/Summer entry)
- Start of Studies Date: Late August / Early September (Fall Semester)
- Tuition: ~ $31,970 USD per semester (~ $63,940 USD per academic year for full-time graduate degree programs)
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Accepted Academic Backgrounds: High school diploma/equivalent (for undergraduate tracks) or accredited bachelor's degree (BA, BFA, BS, or equivalent) in fine arts, design, art history, humanities, media, technology, or social sciences (for graduate tracks).
- Preferred Disciplines: Fine Arts, Photography, Curatorial Practice, Visual Culture, History of Art & Design, Media Studies, Fashion Design & Studies, Interactive Media, and Socially Engaged Art.
- Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Interdisciplinary candidates with non-traditional academic backgrounds are actively welcomed. Portfolio quality, creative vision, and analytical capabilities carry significant weight in admission decisions.
- Portfolio Relevance: Essential for studio-based programs (MFA Fine Arts, MFA Photography, MFA Design & Tech, MS Data Vis). Academic writing samples are required for theoretical tracks (MA History of Design & Curatorial Studies, MA Fashion Studies).
General Eligibility
- Who Can Apply?: Open globally to domestic (U.S.) and international applicants.
- Age Restrictions: None.
- Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Evaluated holistically; open to both recent university graduates and working professionals, artists, and researchers.
- Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: Studio degree candidates must submit a digital portfolio (15–20 creative media items) via SlideRoom demonstrating visual research, experimentation, and technical proficiency.
Educational Background
- Required Minimum Degree:
- Undergraduate Entry: High school diploma or international secondary school equivalent.
- Graduate Entry: Accredited Bachelor’s degree (BA, BFA, BS, or recognized international equivalent) completed prior to matriculation.
- Accepted Fields of Study: All academic disciplines are accepted provided artistic competence or analytical capacity is demonstrated.
- Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Professional creative practice cannot substitute for an accredited undergraduate degree for master's programs.
- Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Applicants without a completed accredited Bachelor's degree prior to the start of graduate studies are non-eligible.
Language Proficiency Requirement
- Required Language(s): English.
- Minimum Test Scores:
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 92 (with at least 5.0 in writing and speaking).
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall band score of 7.0.
- Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 115 (with minimum 110 in speaking and writing).
- PTE Academic: Minimum score of 63.
- Waiver Conditions: Applicants who completed their full undergraduate or secondary degree at an accredited institution where the primary language of instruction was English are exempt from submitting English test results.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality Restrictions: None (Global applicants welcome).
- Work or Research Experience Requirements: Prior creative practice, exhibition history, or scholarly writing experience as detailed in the CV and Statement of Purpose.
- Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Studio applicants submit a 15–20 page digital portfolio; academic applicants (Curatorial/Fashion Studies) submit a 10-page academic writing sample and a 250–500 word program essay.
- Visa or Institutional Constraints: Admitted international candidates must meet U.S. F-1 student visa criteria, including presenting proof of adequate funding for living expenses and university fees.
Tuition
| Category | Amount / Cost Details (USD) |
| Annual Graduate Tuition Fee | ~$63,940 USD per academic year ($31,970 USD per semester) |
| Per-Credit Tuition Rate | ~$2,182 – $2,665 USD per credit (program dependent) |
| Domestic vs International Fees | Tuition rates are identical for domestic and international students |
| Additional Mandatory Costs | University Services Fee ($720/sem), International Student Fee ($113/sem), orientation fee, studio material costs, and mandatory health insurance |
Funding & Financial Support
- Scholarships (Full / Partial):
- Parsons Merit Scholarships: Partial to substantial tuition awards granted automatically during admission review to both domestic and international applicants based on portfolio/academic excellence.
- The New School Financial Aid Guarantee: University merit aid commitments remain locked for the normal duration of the degree program.
- Grants / Stipends: External scholarship support and departmental research grants available through competitive application.
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Graduate Assistant (GA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions available for advanced master's students, providing hourly wages or tuition assistance.
- Studio / Production Funding: Access to campus fabrication labs, printmaking facilities, photo studios, and digital suites included in program registration.
- Living Cost Support: On-campus graduate housing options available; campus work-study opportunities for eligible domestic and international students (on-campus jobs).
University Services & Academic Support
- Studio / Lab Access: Private or shared graduate studio spaces, Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, digital fabrication labs, 3D printing facilities, photo darkrooms, motion-capture suites, and textile ateliers.
- Research Supervision: Direct instruction and critique from internationally recognized artists, curators, fashion theorists, and design researchers.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to visiting critics, prominent NYC gallery curators, industry design mentors, and alumni networks.
- Career Services: Dedicated advising via The New School Center for Student Success, offering internship placements, resume/portfolio reviews, and industry networking fairs.
- Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Graduate thesis showcases, public exhibitions at Parsons galleries, and institutional partnerships across NYC cultural centers.
- Library / Archive Access: Full access to The New School Libraries system, Gimbel Art & Design Library, digital image archives, and interlibrary borrowing networks.
- International Student Support Services: Dedicated guidance via International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for F-1 visa processing, OPT/CPT work authorization, and cultural integration.
Application Requirements
- Online Application Form: Completed electronically via The New School Online Application portal.
- Statement of Purpose: A 500 to 750-word statement outlining creative/academic background, artistic or theoretical goals, and specific reasons for choosing Parsons.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume: Comprehensive professional record detailing creative work, exhibitions, publications, education, and relevant employment.
- Creative Portfolio or Writing Sample:
- Studio Programs: 15–20 digital media files uploaded via SlideRoom.
- Academic / Curatorial Programs: Up to 10-page academic writing sample demonstrating critical thinking and research skills.
- Letters of Recommendation: 2 letters of recommendation from academic or professional references who can address creative and analytical capacity.
- Academic Transcripts: Scanned copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official copies required upon admission offer).
- English Proficiency Scores: Official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo score reports for non-native English speakers.
- Application Fee: Non-refundable application fee ($50–$70 USD).
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit the official graduate application through The New School Online Application Portal
. Portfolio materials and writing samples must be uploaded directly via SlideRoom or the application portal according to program-specific guidelines.
Deadline & Timeline
- Priority Application Deadline: January 5 (For Fall/Summer admission and maximum merit scholarship consideration)
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Late January – February
- Admissions Results Notification Date: Early March – Mid-April
- Start of Studies Date: Late August / Early September (Fall Term)
Location
In-Person: Parsons School of Design at The New School, 66 West 12th Street / 2 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, New York City, NY 10011, United States.
Additional Details
Over 85% of admitted graduate students at Parsons receive institutional financial aid or merit-based scholarships. Applications received after the January 5 priority deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to space availability in specific degree concentrations.