What our students, alumni, and faculty are doing in Paris and worldwide
thinkparsonsparis@newschool.edu
Program Contact
Stephanie Nadalo, Program Director
Your BFA begins with the Parsons Paris first-year curriculum, a year-long interdisciplinary course of study for students in all Parsons Paris undergraduate programs. The first year immerses you in an exploration of art and design concepts, skills, and critical practices, training you to become a flexible thinker, proficient maker, and bold experimenter—building the foundation for your creative journey.
In the second year, you focus on storytelling through narrative development, editing techniques, and experimentation with 2D, 3D, and 4D media. This year emphasizes expanding boundaries in creative expression while building your technical skills.
In the third year, you explore the way audiences respond to your creative work through engagement, participation, and interaction. You have the option of spending a semester or a full year studying a related major at Parsons’ New York City campus or at other institutions worldwide.
In the fourth year, you hone your expertise and develop a final thesis project that integrates research, writing, and making and culminates in a public exhibition. The Pro Launch course prepares you for professional life after graduation by equipping you with the entrepreneurial tools and skills needed for a successful career in art and design.
Throughout your studies, you take courses exploring art and design history and theory, which help you develop the conceptual foundations for creative inquiry and essential research, writing, and critical reasoning skills.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is awarded for completion of 120 credits as designated by the program. A maximum of 60 credits may be transferred from another institution. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and fulfill all requirements in a timely manner.
To view degree requirements from prior years, visit the Academic Catalogs archive. For a complete listing of courses and course descriptions, visit the university course catalog.
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | F | S |
|---|---|---|
| APAM 2006 Core Studio 1: Narrative | 3 | - |
| APAM 2005 Core Lab 1: Narrative | 3 | - |
| APAM 2002 Graphic Communication and Letterforms | - | - |
| APVS 2001 History of Art, Media and Technology | 3 | - |
| Program Elective | 3 | - |
| APAM 2003 Core Studio 2 Spatial | - | 3 |
| APAM 2004 Core Lab 2 Spatial | - | 3 |
| APVS 2013 Intro to Visual Culture | - | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | - | 3 |
| Program Elective | - | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | 15 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | F | S |
|---|---|---|
| APAM 3004 Core Studio 3 Response | 3 | - |
| APAM 3003 Core Lab 3 Response | 3 | - |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 6 | - |
| Program Elective | 3 | - |
| APAM 3005 Core Studio 4: Urban | - | 3 |
| APAM 3006 Core Lab 4: Urban | - | 3 |
| Program Elective | - | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | - | 6 |
| Subtotal | 15 | 15 |
| SENIOR YEAR | F | S |
|---|---|---|
| APAM 4000 Thesis 1 | 6 | - |
| APVS 4500 Adv. Research Seminar | 3 | - |
| APAM 4101 Collaboration Studio | 3 | - |
| Program Electives | 3 | - |
| APAM 4001 Thesis 2 | - | 6 |
| Liberal Arts Electives | - | 6 |
| Program Electives | - | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | 15 |
The New School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.