The New School Reviews

"As the director program insists, the PhD program in Public and Urban Policy at The New School greatest strength and weakness is its flexibility. Besides the few mandatory core classes, students are free to develop their own course of study; however, there are not a lot of resources (funding, information, and administrative support) available to students, which makes pursuing the PhD more a cumbersome process than it ought to be. Also, by accepting too many students, there are not enough full time faculty available to give students proper and sufficient attention as advisers. This inadvertently forces students to seek mentorship at other institutions, or in other departments. But as an interdisciplinary program, this is part of the departments intention. It is also a program where applied research is prized over conceptual investigations, but this is not clear from the outset. The student body, which varies in age, experience, educational backgrounds, and origin of births, is one of its greatest assets, and serves as a vehicle for providing many different perspectives in the classroom. The program also has a strong focus on social/spatial (in)justice concerns. For those interested in tackling such problems in an intellectually stimulating environment, and can handle being left to your own to navigate the complex process of completing a dissertation, I recommend this program for you. For those looking for pure social science curriculums where there are administrators who will hold your hands through the process, it is recommended that you look elsewhere.Read Less"

"The Urban Policy Analysis program at The New School is a wonderful program that has provided me with the foundation to exceed in the policy field. I am more than halfway through my first semester and can say with confidence that I am beyond impressed with the curriculum and experiential aspects of the program. It has reinforced my interest in policy and I am extremely excited for policy lab next semester where I will have the opportunity to work with actual clients."

"My graduate program provides a lot of support with faculty. And everyone genuinely cares about you and tour overall experience in the program of your choice. The overall atmosphere of the New School is refreshing. The only con I have is my financial aid."

"The New School attracts a culturally diverse, driven, and compassionate group. The students are wonderful people and bring a breadth of experiences to the table. However, there is not a lot of ideological diversity--we question capitalism a lot here, that's no surprise. The faculty are generally quite accessible and very knowledgeable in their fields. The amount of activities, events, and opportunities to engage in impactful projects on campus is incredible. However, living in New York is hideously expensive. Academically, some core courses are really poorly designed and/or taught by inexperienced PhD students. Areas to study on campus are usually very crowded and the computers/printers don't function very well. Career services offers a lot, but the quality of workshops and individual feedback depends on the staff person you're working with.Read Less"

"Pros: excellent Faculty and curriculum, good institutional financial aid options, friendly environment and accessible, interesting location in NYC, online learning is effective Cons: tuition is quite high, the Libraries could have more diverse content, grad coursework is pretty heavy to combine with a job"

"The New School for Public Engagement is a great place for graduate study. If you are willing to put in the work and put yourself out there then I can't imagine a better environment for you. Faculty and staff are helpful, approachable and accessible. I have had a couple of average classes but I think that was because I choose the wrong classes. It seems quite easy to get good grades. New York is expensive."

"I absolutely loved attending this school. 98% of the teachers are amazing. I recommended the school for my husband and he is now enrolled. He also has become a huge fan of the school. They provided ample support to their students from academics to employment assistance. They provide lots of social activities, stress relief painting and massage sessions, mid night breakfasts during exam times. I got amazing training to reenter the workforce in my new career. I have nothing but complements for this school. I am going to law school in the fall. I would go to law school at The New School if they had one.Read Less"

"This is a great school for those who like to think outside the box."

"The school has great teachers and an amazing history"

"Excellent program for students of international relations with strong interest in critical theory."

"I am thrilled with the quality of classes, professors, and student body at the New School. I am getting a well-rounded education, and feel challenged every day. Being in New York City keeps me motivated to learn from my peers and stay involved in the international community. The only con of living in NYC is the high cost of living - rent in Manhattan is the highest in the country, and it is rare to find an entry level job that can sustain a comfortable lifestyle."

"The Graduate Urban Policy Analysis program at the New School is a fascinating opportunity to investigate the socioeconomic interactions of urban systems and people. With a much more in-depth approach to urban issues, the degree program has, so far, been more informative and engaging than typical Public Admin programs. The New School Urban program focuses on the detailed analytical macro/micro relationships of resource and capital flows in urban settings instead of just a higher-level bureaucratic concepts that sometimes plague MPA programs. This program is ideal for candidates interested in doing Analysis work and long-term research and investigations into the dynamic mechanisms of urban systems.Read Less"

"The school has dedicated and knowledgeable professors who are willing to really sit down and have a conversation with you and help connect you to the professional world. I work in my field of study and have already gotten so much from this program after only a semester and a half."

"Excellent faculty and great classes. Insufficient financial support."

"great program, considering myself lucky for being a part of this university"

"I love this program. I am very satisfied with my education. However, the tuition at The New School is among the highest in the country. Therefore, I am left with lots of loan debt coming out."

"The Urban Policy Program is very hands-on. It is a wonderful experience that prepares you for the workplace. The courses are challenging and the networking opportunities are awesome! Love this Grad school Program and would highly recommend it if you are interested in Urban Policy."

"The program I'm enrolled in -- the Graduate Program in International Affairs -- is an excellent program with outstanding lecturers who are leaders in their field."