Design and Urban Ecologies (MS)

Parsons School of Design in New York City – recently named the Best School for Art and Design in the US and ranked 2nd in the world – has offered innovative approaches to design education since its founding in 1896. Today, Parsons is the only major American art and design school within a comprehensive university: The New School. At Parsons, you can master establish established creative practices and spark new ones while studying across all university disciplines.

About

The 60-credit Master of Science in Design and Urban Ecologies program radically reframes the study of urban environments and design approaches to cities. By combining urban planning, policy, urban design, activism, and community practice, students gain the skills and expertise needed to address contemporary urban challenges. In line with The New School’s historic commitment to environmental and social justice, students design and implement strategic projects to bring about transformative change in urban environments on a global scale.

Program highlights

• 60-credit, two-year, studio-driven program
• Combine research, fieldwork, studio work, and participatory action to gain a broad understanding of the urban complex and its interactions with political, social, economic, and environmental systems
• Design processes for urban transformation alongside – not for – the communities most affected by these processes
• Shares 12 credits with the Theories of Urban Practice program

Curriculum

This studio-driven program is part of Parsons' School of Design Strategies (SDS) and shares a 12-credit core curriculum with the 36-credit research-based MA Theories of Urban Practice program.

The Master of Science degree is awarded for completion of 60 credits. A maximum of six credits can be transferred from another institution. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and fulfill all requirements in a timely manner.