How can a design education prepare students to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing world? Parsons' first-year Foundation program immerses students in an exploration of art and design concepts, skills, and critical practices, training them to become flexible thinkers, strong makers, and life-long learners. The curriculum offers a survey of approaches to art and design that not only prepares students for the BFA programs at Parsons, but enables them to envision paths beyond the confines of a single discipline.
Foundation prepares students for life as skilled and socially aware artists and designers. Foundation classes—2D Integrated Studio, Laboratory, 3D Studio, and Drawing Studio—bring together students who are passionate about all kinds of art and design and who will one day forge new paths in an array of disciplines. This interaction is a central aspect of the Foundation program. Today's classmates are tomorrow's colleagues.
These relationships and experiences often lead students to consider switching majors or pursuing careers that do not fit comfortably within established categories. After completing freshman-year coursework, students work with advisors, in consultation with instructors, to define their goals and choose the appropriate degree program.
First-year students can enter certain majors directly: Design and Management, Design and Technology, Environmental Studies, Photography, and Urban Design are direct-entry programs that permit students to begin working in a specific creative field right away. Applicants interested in these majors are encouraged to consider these direct-entry options.
Following an academic review and depending on available space, sophomores can switch majors regardless of their first-year program. Foundation students can also choose direct-entry majors as well as majors directly supported by the Foundation program.
Students interested in communication design can take the Foundation program in their first year or apply for direct entry to Design and Technology and change their major to communication design at the end of the first year.
