Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Society

The MFA Fashion Design and Society is the first graduate program of its kind in the United States. Interdisciplinary and international, this program helps a small group of world-class designers develop a global understanding of fashion. The innovative curriculum enables you to make substantive contributions both professional and conceptual to fashion design. Initiated by Parsons alumna Donna Karan, the program has received support from numerous industry partners such as Diane von Furstenberg, Swarovski, Uniqlo, LVMH, and Kering.
As a student in the MFA Fashion Design and Society program, your design identity and existing skill sets and design approaches take center stage through one-on-one mentorship. The curriculum challenges your perceptions and convictions with the aim of educating you as a well-rounded, independent designer in the field of fashion.
Career opportunities already begin to arise during your final semester of the program, with in-house visits from headhunters, recruitment agencies, and company design teams. Graduates pursue diverse careers, including fashion design, art direction, curating, and teaching. Alumni have taken positions within the industry at Alexander Wang, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Theory, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, Proenza Shouler, and Uniqlo, to name a few.

Complete a Statement of Purpose
Each academic program and admission committee has developed a program-specific Statement of Purpose prompt. This required application item customarily provides the opportunity for you to indicate your reasons for applying to your program of interest, the ways in which you plan to contribute to the program, The New School, and beyond, and your academic and professional goals. Please begin your application to review the program-specific prompt established by your admission committee.
Submit Your R'sum
Submit a one to two-page r'sum/curriculum vitae summarizing your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, published writing, volunteer/community work, professional networking, public speaking, and/or any other relevant experiences that may relate to your field of study, including dates and positions held. Please also note any special language or computer skills that you have.
Submit Two Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references are required. Recommendations must be submitted by recommenders directly via the online application portal. Instructions are included in the online application.
Submit College Transcripts
Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution (even if you didnt receive a degree) in the Academic History section of the online application.

All uploaded transcripts must be accompanied by a key, a legend, or the back copy of the transcript. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Records from non-U.S. institutions must have grades or marks and contain a copy of diploma if the degree has been conferred. Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scanned documents must be clear and legible.
Minimum required scores are:

TOEFL iBT92
IELTS7.0
PTE63