First-year students entering Parsons Paris share a common learning experience. The same course sequence constitutes the first year of all BFA programs, providing a foundational experience that familiarizes students with the tools, methods, and skills employed in art and design. A similar course sequence applies for BBA students, with the exception of three courses specific to that degree. The required courses for each degree provide a core learning experience, the outcomes of which feed into continuing undergraduate study at Parsons Paris.
To prepare students for program-specific courses they will take starting in their sophomore year, we offer students 13–16 hours of technical workshops specific to each program in the spring semester of the first year.
The first-year curriculum inspires students to explore beyond their majors and possibly plan for careers that do not fit comfortably within established categories.