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.