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Language Study Opportunities

Studying Languages

The Department of Languages offers courses in over a dozen languages, including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). Open to all students at The New School, the department’s courses follow a communicative approach to language learning, embarking on activities that simulate real-life situations. Courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer, and delivered both in-person and online in real-time (online synchronous).

Students who have studied a language in high school or college can place themselves in the appropriate level by using the following formula: one year of high school language equals one semester of language study (i.e., one 3 or 4 credit course) at the college level. For example, a student who has completed four years of high school Spanish could enroll in Intermediate 2, or any advanced or thematic content courses offered by the department. Students with a score of four or five on an Advanced Placement test in a language should enroll in content courses or advanced-level courses.

Students with questions or with reason to believe that this does not accurately measure their knowledge of a language (e.g., it has been several years since they last studied the language) should either call 212.229.5676 or email languages@newschool.edu to set up an appointment to discuss alternate placement. The Languages department also offers online placement tests that you can request from the department office via email.

Graduate students are eligible to audit one language course per semester free of charge, provided they are actively earning credit toward a graduate degree during that term and that there is space availability in their chosen course. During the summer term, graduate students who are also earning credit toward a degree may also audit one language course free of charge.

After choosing a course, students must obtain permission to register. Full participation in the course is mandatory, as is purchasing any necessary course materials.

Graduate students cannot take undergraduate level language classes for credit.

Additionally, students may participate in study abroad experiences during which they may hone their language skills. Exchange programs with other institutions are constantly evolving. For information about available programs and application deadlines, visit the New School’s Study Abroad website.

Parsons Paris

Parsons Paris offers French courses to all students studying onsite in Paris. The courses follow a communicative approach to language learning, embarking on activities that simulate real-life situations. Courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

Students who have studied French in high school or college can place themselves in the appropriate level by using a placement test. Contact studentsuccessparis@newschool.edu for access to the test.

The New School for Social Research

Doctoral candidates should refer to their department handbooks for detailed information about language requirements. Specific requirements are also published in the department sections of this catalog. Master’s students in philosophy are required to demonstrate competence in Spanish, Greek, Latin, French, or German. Proficiency in mathematics or computer programming may be required. . Instead of a language, candidates in psychology are required to demonstrate competency in statistics. Any language requirements must be satisfied before a student can apply to defend the dissertation. To facilitate acquisition of language proficiency, a limited number of tuition waivers are allocated to audit New School foreign language courses. These waivers are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis by the Office of Academic Affairs during the registration period prior to each semester and summer term. Contact NSSRAcademicAffairs@newschool.edu for information.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The New School’s Center for English Language Studies offers English language instruction from the low-intermediate to the advanced level for speakers of other languages. Students can take individual ESL courses or enroll in a full-time noncredit intensive certificate program that includes advanced language training to prepare for general or subject-specific study at the university. Contact the Center for English Language Studies for more information at elsc@newschool.edu.

Parsons undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate the need for continued English language development are required to take a sequence of ESL courses as part of their degree. Selected students in the College of Performing Arts and Parsons can participate in Language Supported courses; please see college-specific degree requirements pages for more information.

Published 2026 by The New School

Important Notice: The information published herein represents the plans of The New School at the time of publication. The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion and without notice, to modify any matter contained in this publication, including but not limited to tuition, fees, policies, degree programs, names of programs, the structure or name of any academic constituent unit, course offerings, academic activities, academic requirements, facilities, faculty, administrators, and the manner, method, location, schedule, or format in which campus operations, instruction, programs, courses, or academic activities are delivered, including but not limited to transitioning between in-person, hybrid, remote, or online modalities. The University’s obligation is to provide academic instruction and award academic credit toward degree requirements; no representation or guarantee is made that instruction will be delivered in any particular academic structure, manner, modality, location, or format. This Catalog, together with all related materials, including but not limited to websites, marketing materials, and course descriptions, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract or guarantee of any specific educational experience or location, including in-person instruction, access to facilities, or campus-based activities. Except as expressly required by applicable law or as otherwise determined by the University in its discretion, changes to the academic structure, manner, modality, location or format of instruction shall not entitle students to any refund, reduction, or adjustment of tuition or fees. Payment of tuition for or attendance in any classes shall constitute a student’s acceptance of the administration’s rights as set forth in this notice.

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