Pratt Institute stands as a prestigious private university in New York City, renowned for its world-class art and design programs, innovative architecture curricula, interdisciplinary liberal arts education, and cutting-edge information science degrees, attracting creative minds globally since its founding in 1887. With campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Pratt fosters a dynamic environment where creativity intersects with technical expertise, social responsibility, and entrepreneurial thinking, preparing students to lead in industries ranging from fine arts and urban planning to digital media and sustainable design.

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Location & Campus Features

Pratt’s main 25-acre campus in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood blends historic Gothic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, including the iconic Higgins Hall for architecture studios and the newly expanded Maker Spaces for 3D printing and fabrication. The Manhattan campus focuses on professional studies and continuing education, offering proximity to NYC’s art galleries, design firms, and cultural institutions. A third campus in Utica, New York, houses PrattMWP College of Art and Design, providing first-year students a foundational program in a collaborative, small-town setting.

Academic Programs & Specializations

Pratt offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degrees across six schools:

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• School of Art: BFA/MFA programs in Painting, Sculpture, Photography, and Digital Arts, emphasizing experimental techniques and critical theory.
• School of Design: Industrial Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design degrees ranked among the nation’s best, with a focus on sustainability and user-centered innovation.
• School of Architecture: NAAB-accredited Architecture (B.Arch/M.Arch), Urban Design, and Landscape Architecture programs integrating ecological and social justice principles.
• School of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Interdisciplinary BA/MA degrees in Critical & Visual Studies, Writing, and Cultural Analytics.
• School of Information: MS in Data Analytics, Library Science, and Information Experience Design, combining tech skills with human-centered approaches.
• School of Continuing & Professional Studies: Certificates and non-degree courses in UX/UI Design, Graphic Design, and Creative Placemaking.

Unique offerings include dual-degree options (e.g., Architecture/Urban Planning), the Pratt>Forward pre-college program, and the Collaborative Studio model, which pairs students with industry partners like Google and MoMA.

Faculty & Resources

Pratt’s faculty comprises 1,100+ working professionals, including Guggenheim Fellows, Pritzker Prize nominees, and Emmy-winning animators. Students access specialized resources such as:

• The Digital Arts and Animation Lab with motion-capture technology.
• The Materials Lab housing 3D printers, laser cutters, and traditional woodworking tools.
• The Pratt Libraries, featuring 200,000+ volumes, including rare artist books and the Pratt Institute Archives.
• On-campus galleries like the Rubelle and Norman Schafler Gallery, showcasing student and faculty work.

Student Life & Opportunities

Pratt’s 4,900+ students represent 70+ countries, with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensuring personalized mentorship. Beyond academics, the institute offers:

• 100+ clubs, including the Sustainable Pratt Coalition and the Robotics Club.
• Internship partnerships with NYC staples like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, WIRED Magazine, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
• The Pratt Show, an annual exhibition attracting recruiters from Nike, Pixar, and Gensler.
• Global study programs in Venice, Berlin, and Japan, alongside exchange agreements with 50+ institutions.

Admissions & Financial Aid

Pratt maintains a competitive acceptance rate of 50-60%, with applicants evaluated on academic transcripts, portfolios (required for most art/design programs), and essays emphasizing creative vision. Merit scholarships cover up to $28,000 annually, while 80% of students receive need-based aid. The 2023 undergraduate tuition is $55,575, with graduate programs ranging from $1,817 to $2,329 per credit.

Rankings & Recognition

Consistently ranked among the top institutions globally, Pratt holds #1 in Interior Design (QS World University Rankings 2023), #5 in Industrial Design (Business Insider), and #15 among Regional Universities North (U.S. News & World Report). It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and holds specialized accreditation from CIDA, NAAB, and NASAD.

Notable alumni include artist Jeremy Blake, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, and Pulitzer Prize-winning architectural critic Paul Goldberger. Pratt’s emphasis on “poetic pragmatism”—balancing artistic expression with real-world impact—continues to define its legacy as a hub for innovators shaping the future of creative industries.

Schools & Programs

Pratt Institute structures its academic offerings into six specialized schools, each providing distinct programs with hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and interdisciplinary flexibility. Below is a comprehensive breakdown:

School of Art

BFA in Fine Arts

• Concentrations: Painting/Drawing, Sculpture/Integrated Practices, Printmaking, Jewelry/Metalsmithing.
• Structure: 120-credit program with studio-intensive coursework, critiques, and senior thesis exhibitions.
• Outcomes: Prepares students for careers as studio artists, gallery curators, or educators, with access to Pratt’s on-campus galleries like the Rubelle and Norman Schafler Gallery.

MFA in Digital Arts

• Focus Areas: 3D animation, interactive arts, digital imaging, and motion arts.
• Structure: 60-credit, two-year program with access to the Digital Arts and Animation Lab (motion-capture tech, VR tools).
• Outcomes: Graduates work in film studios (e.g., Pixar), game design, or interactive media startups.

School of Design

BFA in Industrial Design

• Specializations: Product design, furniture design, sustainable systems.
• Structure: 126 credits with courses in prototyping (Maker Spaces), materials science, and ergonomics. Includes internships at firms like IDEO or Frog Design.
• Outcomes: Careers in consumer product design, UX/UI development, or entrepreneurial ventures.

MFA in Interior Design

• Accreditation: CIDA-accredited program.
• Structure: 72-credit, three-year curriculum with courses in spatial theory, adaptive reuse, and lighting design. Requires a graduate thesis project.
• Outcomes: Roles in residential/commercial design, exhibition design, or sustainable design consultancies.

School of Architecture

B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)

• Accreditation: NAAB-accredited five-year program.
• Structure: 170 credits combining design studios, building technology courses, and urban ecology seminars. Includes mandatory summer internships.
• Outcomes: Licensure-ready graduates employed at firms like SOM, Bjarke Ingels Group, or public-sector urban planning agencies.

MS in Urban Design

• Focus: Resilient cities, community engagement, and GIS mapping.
• Structure: 36-credit, three-semester program with fieldwork in NYC neighborhoods and collaboration with NYC Department of City Planning.
• Outcomes: Careers in municipal planning, NGO-based urban advocacy, or private development firms.

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

BA in Critical & Visual Studies

• Interdisciplinary Tracks: Art history, social justice, media studies.
• Structure: 120-credit program blending theory seminars, studio electives, and community-based research projects.
• Outcomes: Prepares students for graduate study or roles in arts administration, journalism, or cultural policy.

MA in Cultural Analytics

• Focus: Data-driven analysis of cultural trends, digital humanities, and computational methods.
• Structure: 30-credit, one-year program with capstone projects using Pratt’s DataArts Lab resources.
• Outcomes: Careers in market research, museum curation, or academic research.

School of Information

MS in Information Experience Design

• Concentrations: User experience (UX) design, information architecture, data visualization.
• Structure: 36-credit program with courses in coding (Python, SQL), usability testing, and ethics of AI. Includes internships at NYC tech firms.
• Outcomes: Roles as UX researchers, data analysts, or digital content strategists.

MS in Library & Information Science

• Accreditation: ALA-accredited program.
• Structure: 36-credit hybrid (online/on-campus) program with specializations in archival studies, youth services, or digital libraries.
• Outcomes: Careers as academic librarians, metadata specialists, or archival managers.

School of Continuing & Professional Studies

Certificate in UX/UI Design

• Structure: 18-week part-time program with evening classes. Covers Figma, prototyping, and portfolio development.
• Outcomes: Prepares career-changers for entry-level UX design roles.

Creative Arts Therapy (Graduate-level)

• Focus: Art therapy techniques for clinical settings.
• Structure: 60-credit, two-year program meeting LCAT licensure requirements in NY State. Includes 1,200-hour clinical placement.
• Outcomes: Licensed creative arts therapists in hospitals, schools, or private practice.

Dual-Degree Options

• Architecture & Urban Design (B.Arch + MS): Five-year accelerated track combining undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• Fine Arts & Art History (BFA + MA): Integrated program with credits shared between studio practice and theoretical research.

Program durations vary: undergraduate degrees typically require 4–5 years, master’s programs 1–3 years, and certificates 3–12 months. Most programs emphasize portfolio development, internships, and collaborative projects with industry partners like Google, Cooper Hewitt Museum, or local NYC startups.

Contact Information for Pratt Institute:

Brooklyn Campus

200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
800.331.0834  
718.636.3600
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Manhattan Campus

144 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
800.331.0834
718.636.3600

Pratt Munson

310 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13502
800.755.8920