Understanding the history, theory, and analysis of design and art is fundamental to all areas of study at Parsons. A high level of English language proficiency is needed to succeed in courses in these topics. For this reason, new students who are native speakers of languages other than English are required to take the English Course Placement Test before they arrive at Parsons.
All new students who are native speakers of languages other than English must take the English Course Placement Test, regardless of fluency, previous English coursework, degrees/diplomas from U.S. institutions, IELTS score, or SAT score. If English was not a main language at home when you were growing up, you must take the test. The only exception is if you took the Duolingo English Test (DET) or TOEFL for admission, since they send us the speaking and writing sections and we can use those instead. Please email us at parsonsenglish@newschool.edu if that’s the case.
We value our multilingual community and the enormous contributions that our students’ diverse experiences bring. We require this test to help ensure that everyone who needs language support for Parsons' academically rigorous curriculum has access to that support, so that they can fully engage with the content and the classroom community.
The test takes 50 minutes and is composed of the following sections:
The test is offered online. You will be able to take the test on your own computer before you register for courses. To sign up for the test, use our Google form. We will contact you with instructions on how to schedule and take the test after you sign up.
After taking the test, you will receive the placement results and can register for an appropriate English class if needed.
Failure to register for an appropriate English course can delay your progress toward completion of degree requirements and delay your expected date of graduation.
Please contact parsonsenglish@newschool.edu if you have any questions.
For more information about placement outcomes and what the results mean, please see our English Placement Guide.
Native speakers of languages other than English who demonstrate the need for continued language development take a sequence of ESL courses and language-supported sections of the Integrative Studio and Seminar classes.
Sections with the Language Supported designation are specially designed for students for whom English is a second language. LS courses have the same content as non-LS courses but with extra attention to vocabulary and cultural references and support for reading and writing. Students will engage with the materials in a supportive and dynamic learning environment as they become acclimated to the U.S. educational context, culture, and expectations. Parsons LS faculty possess training specific to both the content area and the language support focus.
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.