Parsons offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five schools within the Parsons structure, plus access to courses across The New School’s other colleges. Understanding which programs are strongest, what each offers, and how programs interconnect is essential for Korean students choosing where to apply and how to tailor their preparation.
Parsons’ Five Schools
Parsons organizes its programs into five schools, each with a distinct focus:
1. School of Art, Media and Technology (AMT) Programs: BFA Fine Arts, BFA Integrated Design, BFA Photography, BFA Design and Technology, BFA Film and Moving Image
AMT is Parsons’ most technologically forward school. Design and Technology (formerly “BFA Design and Technology”) is particularly strong for students interested in UX/UI, interactive media, and the intersection of design with digital systems.
2. School of Design Strategies (SDS) Programs: BBA Design and Management, MS Design and Urban Ecologies, MS Data Visualization, MS Theories of Urban Practice
SDS focuses on design as a strategic and business practice. The BBA in Design and Management is unique — a business degree oriented around design thinking, sustainability, and strategic creative management. Students who want to lead design teams or work at the intersection of business and creativity are well-served here.
3. School of Fashion (SoFa) Programs: BFA Fashion Design, BFA Textile Design, BFA Fashion Design and Society (graduate), AAS Fashion Design
The fashion programs are Parsons’ most globally recognized programs — and the ones that produced Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Donna Karan, and Alexander Wang. The BFA Fashion Design is the core undergraduate program; it combines garment construction, textile knowledge, and design thinking with extensive industry connections. The Textile Design program focuses on material and surface design as a distinct discipline.
4. School of Art and Design History and Theory Programs: BA History of Art and Design, MA History of Design and Curatorial Studies, MA Fashion Studies
These programs offer academic study of art, design, and fashion from historical, critical, and curatorial perspectives — distinct from studio practice programs.
5. School of Constructed Environments (SCE) Programs: BFA Interior Design, MArch (Master of Architecture), MS Interior Design, MS Lighting Design
SCE addresses the built environment — interior spaces, architecture, and lighting. The MArch program is NAAB-accredited.
The Most Popular Programs for Korean Students
BFA Fashion Design: The most Korean-targeted program at Parsons. Strong garment construction emphasis, New York City industry connections, and alumni who lead the fashion industry.
BFA Communication Design: Graphic design, branding, and visual communication with a design thinking orientation. Prepares students for New York’s communication design industry.
BFA Integrated Design: A newer, interdisciplinary program that draws from multiple design disciplines. Good for students whose creative practice spans multiple fields.
BFA Fine Arts: Parsons’ fine arts program is less prominent than RISD’s or SAIC’s, but benefits from The New School’s intellectual culture and New York City’s gallery proximity.
Cross-Registration at The New School
One of Parsons’ structural advantages is the ability to cross-register in courses across The New School’s other colleges:
- Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts: philosophy, social sciences, writing
- College of Performing Arts: jazz, drama, music
- New School for Social Research: sociology, economics, political philosophy
This cross-disciplinary access enriches the design education in ways unavailable at dedicated art schools.
Graduate Programs
Parsons’ graduate programs include:
- MFA Fashion Design and Society
- MFA Transdisciplinary Design
- MFA Design and Technology
- MArch (Architecture)
- MS programs in Data Visualization, Lighting Design, Strategic Design and Management, and others
Graduate programs at Parsons are significantly smaller than undergraduate programs and are primarily aimed at design professionals seeking advanced specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Parsons program is best for graphic design? BFA Communication Design is Parsons’ primary graphic design program. It emphasizes design thinking, branding, and communication alongside technical visual design skills.
Is Parsons Fashion Design undergraduate the same as graduate? No. The BFA Fashion Design is the 4-year undergraduate program focused on design and construction. The MFA Fashion Design and Society is a graduate program with a stronger theoretical and critical orientation. They are distinct programs for different educational stages.
Can Parsons students take courses at NYU? NYU is a separate institution from The New School. Parsons students cannot directly cross-register at NYU, though The New School has its own extensive interdisciplinary resources. Parsons students do have access to the NYU library system through a reciprocal agreement.
Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]