School: The New School Parsons School of Constructed Environments
Location: New York, New York
Undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Graduate program: Master of Fine Arts
Number of student: 190 (undergraduate), 37 (graduate)
Number of faculty: 72 (including full- and part-time)
Notable alumni: Albert Hadley, Van Day Truex, Victoria Hagan, Jamie Drake, Angelo Donghia, Alejandro Barrios-Carrero, Sheila Bridges, Nicole Campion
Website: newschool.edu/parsons
Strengths: A design education within a stone’s throw of some of the best designers and leading spaces in the world, a forward-thinking focus on sustainable design
The overview: Frank Alvah Parsons started the first-ever interior design program here in 1906, defining the field as both a creative practice and scholarly work. The school is still highly regarded, and breaking new ground today with its emphasis on sustainable design practices. The chance to study design in the centre of a kinetic design capital is another plus. And the school takes advantage of this access to the interior design community: The faculty are largely practicing designers with whom students can foster strong working connections.