The New School - Program in Design Studies - Overview
The New School in New York City
The New School is a "progressive university" that is located in New York City, New York in the northeastern region of the United States. Founded in 1919, the university consists of 8 schools that share a common purpose: to prepare and motivate students to bring about tangible and positive change in the world.
It offers 88 graduate and undergraduate programs to more than 10,500 students. It also provides certificate programs and over 650 continuing education courses to approximately 6,300 adult learners annually.
Diversity and international study are important components of education at the New School. In fact, 23.5 percent of the university's students are from other countries and 17 percent of undergraduate seniors have participated in the university's study abroad program.
Parsons the New School for Design
Since its inception in 1896, Parsons has lead new movements and created innovative teaching methods. It has also inspired artists and designers to pursue their creative goals and engage in political action.
Parsons became 1 of 8 schools within the New School in 1970. Today, Parsons the New School for Design is committed to facilitating design thinking that helps solve complex global problems. It offers students 27 undergraduate, associate, and graduate degree programs, including the Master of Arts in Design Studies.
Master of Arts in Design Studies at Parsons the New School for Design
The Master of Arts in Design Studies program is ideal for individuals who want to integrate design research into their design practices or plan to pursue doctoral degrees in the discipline.
This 2-year program allows students to pursue cross-disciplinary study that meets their specific needs and goals. The curriculum, which consists of 42 credit hours, includes a series of core courses, several elective courses, and a master's thesis.
Students may also choose to complete internships.
MA Design Studies Curriculum
Students take 12 credit hours of core courses, which include Design for this Century, Discourses of Design Studies, and Writing for the Public Realm in the 21st Century.
They also take 21 credit hours of elective courses (3 of these hours can be devoted to an internship) that include design studies seminars such as Design and Social Sciences; Thinking the Present; Design, Nature, and Sustainability; and Spatial Design Studies.
Students may also elect to take courses within other departments at Parsons as well as from other disciplines at the New School including history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and politics.
Master's Thesis
In the fall semester of the second year of the MA in Design Studies program, students take a 3-credit hour course (Advanced Preparation for the Thesis) that helps them develop thesis topics and prepares them for writing their theses.
The course addresses issues that are relevant to writing a thesis including primary research, secondary research, and problem identification.
The master thesis, which includes 6 credit hours, is an 80 to 100 page paper that is derived from an original body of research. Students work with faculty advisers to complete their papers.
Learning Beyond Parsons
The MA in Design Studies program allows students to gain practical experience through civic engagement. For instance, they can complete internships, assist with producing exhibitions and publications, and write grant proposals to secure funding for projects and programs.
Students may also gain in-depth knowledge of design processes around the world through the school's study aboard program
Talented and Accomplished Faculty Members
Parsons the New School for Design employs faculty members who are distinguished artists, design practitioners, historians, writers, and scholars. They help graduate students improve research methodologies and develop technologies that make design applicable to a variety of social, cultural, and economic structures.
For example, Jilly Traganou, PhD is an architect and associate professor in spatial design studies. As an accomplished researcher, Dr. Traganou has published articles in periodicals such as "Journal of Modern Greek Studies," "Design Issues," "Journal of Design History," "Design and Culture," and "Journal of Sport and Social Issues."
Her colleague, Ioanna Theocharopoulou, PhD, teaches history/theory courses that emphasize the social and cultural aspects of interior design. Her research focuses on issues regarding urbanization and sustainability.
Research at Parsons
Students who pursue the Master of Arts in Design Studies degree have access to research centers, programs, projects, faculty, peers, and external links that enhance their academic experience.
For example, Parsons Institute for Information Mapping explores ways to effectively disseminate information. Research areas include data visualization, user interaction and experience design, engineering, and usability.
Furthermore, the DESIS Lab supports applied research that explores how design can enhance community-led initiatives to develop sustainable ways of living. For example, researchers have developed plans for community gardens and co-housing for the Lower East Side in New York City.
Financial Assistance at Parsons
Applicants for the MA in Design Studies program may qualify for institutional scholarships that are awarded based on both merit and need. They may also be eligible for teaching and research assistantships.
In addition, applicants may qualify for federal loan and work study programs and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program.
A Path to Career Success
Students in the innovative MA in Design Studies program gain the theoretical, research, and practical knowledge needed to conduct scholarly research in the design field and promote social change.
Upon graduation, they are fully prepared to build successful careers -- that make a difference in the world -- in the areas of design research, curating, criticism, and writing.