Overview
The Transdisciplinary Design MFA program offered by The New School was created for designers, artists, activists, civic and social practitioners, and others interested in imagining alternative futures through design-led research tools and methods for addressing pressing social, economic, political, and environmental issues and challenges of local and global dimensions. Students work in cross-disciplinary teams, consider issues from multiple perspectives, learn from community and industry leaders, and emerge with a portfolio that showcases design as a process for transforming social relations and contemporary life.
A New Approach to Design
Graduates leave the program prepared for work in traditional design industries; many elect to apply their skills in emerging design spaces, such as restructuring services like healthcare and public education and developing projects for nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations. Recent graduates have gone on to present research at international conferences, such as Design Indaba in Cape Town, open consultancies with peers, take leadership positions within government innovation labs, and pursue academic careers. The MFA in Transdisciplinary Design program is housed in Parsons’ School of Design Strategies (SDS), alongside graduate programs in Design and Urban Ecologies, Strategic Design and Management, and Theories of Urban Practice. In its programs and projects, SDS employs innovative approaches to design and business education in relation to cities, services, and ecosystems. Many students explore elective offerings in schools throughout the university, including The New School for Social Research and the Schools of Public Engagement.
Future Opportunities
Graduates pursue a variety of careers, including design consulting, teaching and research, business development, international development, service design, in-house design leads within government organizations and other industries, and entrepreneurship.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Intensive: Orientation
- Projects Studio
- Design-Led Research
- Transdisciplinary Seminar
- Design for this Century: Lecture
- Design for this Century: Recitation
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 24 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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- Starting
- Apply before
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Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Design Environmental Economics & Policy Urban Planning View 202 other Masters in Environmental Economics & Policy in United StatesAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any academic requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
- Complete the online application
- The application fee for first-year international applicants is $75
- Transcripts
- Résumé
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation Letters
- Portfolio
- All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores
- Interview
Tuition Fee
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International
55080 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 27540 USD per semester during 24 months. -
National
55080 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 27540 USD per semester during 24 months.
Living costs for New York City
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Financing
Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.
Funding
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.