Students must hold a four-year undergraduate degree or a graduate degree to be eligible to apply to the MFALD graduate program, typically in one of the following disciplines: Environmental Design, Interior Design, Architecture Design, Engineering, Fine Arts, Product Design or Theater Arts. Students who have little background in design or building-related disciplines or who lack architectural drawing skills may be accepted into the program conditionally but will be required to enroll in the Department's Summer Studies in Architecture as a prerequisite for admission in the following Fall term.

Admission to the program is very selective and is based on an assessment of the application dossier by program faculty and lighting design professionals. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is very important that all required materials be received by the application deadline. A complete application consists of the following items:

Completed online application form

Statement of Interest and a résumé

Official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities

Two letters of recommendation

A printed and bound hard copy portfolio not exceeding 9" x 12" or A4

GRE score (only applicants who are native speakers of English)

TOEFL score (only applicants who are not native speakers of English

Non-refundable $50 application fee

The application deadline for the MFALD program is February 1 for admittance the following fall semester. There is no admittance to the program during the spring semester.

Except for the portfolio, which must be submitted in hard copy, all application materials can be submitted using the online application process. The portfolio and any other materials sent by mail should be addressed to:

AIDL Graduate Admissions
Department of Architecture, Interior Design, and Lighting
Parsons The New School for Design
66 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011