Many Korean students and families researching Parsons School of Design encounter a confusing detail: Parsons is part of something called The New School. What is The New School? Is Parsons the same as The New School? Does attending Parsons mean attending The New School? And does this connection help or hurt a Parsons education? This post answers all of those questions clearly.
What Is The New School?
The New School is a university based in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. It was founded in 1919 as a progressive institution committed to social democracy, cultural engagement, and interdisciplinary education. Today, The New School is a university composed of several schools and colleges, each with its own identity:
- Parsons School of Design — art and design
- Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts — humanities and social sciences
- The New School for Social Research — graduate school in philosophy, sociology, and political economy
- The College of Performing Arts — jazz, orchestral studies, drama, and dance
- Schools of Public Engagement — continuing education and professional programs
Parsons is one of these colleges — the largest and most internationally recognized, but one college within a broader university structure.
Is Parsons the Same as The New School?
No — but they are deeply connected. When you apply to Parsons, you apply to Parsons School of Design specifically, and you are admitted as a Parsons student. Your degree will say “Parsons School of Design / The New School.”
The New School is the umbrella university. Parsons is the art and design college within it. You enroll at Parsons; The New School is the institution that grants your degree and administers your enrollment.
What Does the Connection Actually Mean for Students?
Access to other New School programs: Parsons students can cross-register for courses in Eugene Lang (liberal arts), The New School for Social Research, and other colleges. This means a Parsons design student can take courses in philosophy, sociology, creative writing, or economics — something that students at dedicated art schools like RISD or CalArts cannot do as easily.
The New School’s broader academic culture: The New School has a specific intellectual identity — it was founded by progressive thinkers and has a tradition of engaging with social justice, democracy, and cultural criticism. Parsons absorbs some of this culture. Parsons design programs emphasize social responsibility and sustainability in design in ways that reflect The New School’s broader institutional values.
Access to The New School’s student life and resources: Parsons students have access to The New School’s library system (including NYU library), student organizations, and career services across the entire university.
The BFA vs BA distinction: Parsons awards BFA degrees (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in its studio programs. Some programs within The New School award BA degrees. The specific degree type matters for students who may later pursue graduate study.
Does Being Part of The New School Make Parsons Stronger or Weaker?
This is a genuine question worth addressing honestly.
Arguments that the connection strengthens Parsons:
- Interdisciplinary breadth unavailable at dedicated art schools
- Access to The New School’s social science and philosophy resources, which enriches design education for students interested in social impact
- The combined institution (The New School) has higher QS global rankings than Parsons alone would, reflecting the university’s total academic resources
Arguments that the connection complicates the Parsons identity:
- Parsons is not the only thing at The New School — students share administration, financial aid, and some facilities with non-art programs
- The New School’s financial situation has historically been complex — families should research current financial stability before committing
- For students who want a purely art-school environment (like RISD or CalArts), The New School’s broader university structure may feel diluted
For Korean Students: What This Means Practically
Your degree says Parsons School of Design, The New School. In the Korean context, and in the international creative industry, the Parsons name carries the recognition — The New School is context that most people outside the US don’t immediately know.
The Parsons Challenge is required for all Parsons BFA applicants. This is Parsons-specific, not a New School requirement, and it must be specifically prepared for.
TOEFL requirements apply to Parsons as part of The New School’s international student admissions process. A score of 92 on the TOEFL iBT is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
When people say they went to “The New School,” do they mean Parsons? Not necessarily. They might mean Eugene Lang, the New School for Social Research, or another college. “I went to Parsons” is more specific and more recognized internationally in creative fields.
Can a Parsons student get a degree from The New School for Social Research? Dual-degree options exist, but they require separate applications. Parsons students take their BFA from Parsons; access to other New School colleges is primarily for cross-registration in individual courses.
Is Parsons affected by The New School’s finances? Parsons students share The New School’s financial infrastructure. Families should research the institution’s current financial health as part of their due diligence before enrolling.
Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]