Choosing a path at New York University means navigating a sprawling collection of undergraduate majors distributed across distinct degree-granting schools and colleges. Unlike a traditional unified campus, New York University operates through individual schools like the College of Arts and Science, the Stern School of Business, and the Tisch School of the Arts, each maintaining distinct admissions criteria, faculty networks, and academic requirements. Understanding how these programs map out across the university helps applicants target the right fit from day one.
New York University offers over 200 undergraduate fields of study, but admission rules vary depending on whether you apply directly to a specialized professional school or enter a liberal arts foundation. This guide breaks down the major academic divisions, highlights standout programs, details how internal transfers work, and answers common questions about charting your course at the university.
Major Undergraduate Divisions and Their Focus Areas
New York University is structured into independent undergraduate schools, meaning your choice of major often determines the specific building, peer group, and career office you interact with.
College of Arts and Science
As the historic core of the university, the College of Arts and Science houses traditional humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. If you want to study history, biology, chemistry, computer science, or philosophy, you'll likely start here. The college encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing students to pair a major in economics or politics with cross-school minors.
Leonard N. Stern School of Business
Stern stands as one of the country's premier undergraduate business schools. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business with concentrations ranging from finance and marketing to data analytics and social impact. Stern also pioneering joint degrees, such as the Business and Political Economy program and the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology track, which bridges business fundamentals with creative industries.
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch is globally recognized for training actors, filmmakers, dancers, and game designers. Programs here require rigorous creative portfolios or auditions alongside academic transcripts. Majors are split into departments such as Drama, Film and Television, Recorded Music, and Game Design, combining intense studio practice with theoretical study.
Tandon School of Engineering
Located at the Brooklyn campus, the Tandon School of Engineering focuses on technical innovation. Popular paths include computer engineering, mechanical engineering, cybersecurity, and chemical engineering. Tandon students benefit from close proximity to New York City’s growing tech startup ecosystem, often called "Silicon Alley."
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Steinhardt blends professional training with education and the arts. It houses programs in applied psychology, music technology, media studies, communicative nutrition, and visual arts education. It's a frequent destination for students aiming to combine artistic practice or social science with real-world community impact.
Choosing and Changing Majors at New York University
Deciding on a major during the application process requires care because New York University evaluates applicants based on their chosen school or program.
- Direct Admission: When you apply through the Common Application, you select a specific school or program choice. Admissions officers in Stern evaluate candidates differently than those in Tisch or the College of Arts and Science.
- Internal Transfers: If you realize your academic interests lie elsewhere after enrolling, you can apply for an internal transfer between schools. However, transitioning into highly competitive divisions like Stern or specific Tisch programs involves strict GPA cutoffs, essay requirements, and space availability.
- The Liberal Studies Core: Many students enter through the Liberal Studies program, spending their first two years completing a global foundational curriculum before transitioning smoothly into a major within the College of Arts and Science or other participating divisions.
Distinctive Interdisciplinary Options
Many students are drawn to New York University because of cross-disciplinary programs that cross traditional academic boundaries.
- Global Public Health (GPH): Offered as a co-major, GPH pairs traditional subjects like anthropology, history, or biology with core public health coursework. Students are also encouraged to spend a semester at one of NYU’s global academic centers.
- Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and IMA: Based out of the Tisch School, these programs explore the intersection of art, technology, design, and physical computing, appealing to builders who want to code physical objects or create immersive media.
- Individualized Study through Gallatin: The Gallatin School of Individualized Study allows students to design their own curriculum rather than following a traditional major. Under the guidance of faculty advisors, students build a custom concentration that draws courses from across every NYU school.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting an NYU Program
Applicants frequently stumble when matching their goals to New York University's structure. Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your application focused and realistic.
- Treating NYU as a monolith: Don't apply to NYU blindly without knowing which specific school houses your major. Writing your personal statement about business while applying to the College of Arts and Science disconnects your narrative.
- Ignoring portfolio or audition deadlines: If you apply to Tisch or certain Steinhardt music programs, missing the separate artistic submission deadline will disqualify your application instantly, regardless of your academic grades.
- Overlooking internal transfer hurdles: Don't assume you can easily enroll in a less competitive school just to transfer into Stern later. Internal transfer acceptance rates can be highly restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I double major across different NYU schools?
Cross-school major combinations are generally restricted due to distinct degree requirements and school administration structures. However, students frequently pair a primary major in one school with one or two minors offered by another division, such as adding a Stern business minor to an Arts and Science economics major.
How do I apply for the Gallatin School?
You apply directly to Gallatin through the Common Application by submitting a unique essay outlining why an individualized program suits your intellectual goals. Gallatin students write their own concentration proposals during their sophomore year.
Are NYU classes held on a single campus?
No. New York University features a largely urban, open campus centered around Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, alongside the Brooklyn campus for the Tandon School of Engineering. Students regularly commute between campuses via the university shuttle or the subway.
Does NYU accept AP or IB credits for major requirements?
Yes. Qualifying scores on Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams can earn you college credit or allow you to place out of introductory course requirements, depending on the specific policies of your enrolled school.
Can first-year students change their major before classes start?
Requests to switch schools before matriculation are handled on a strict, case-by-case basis by the admissions office and are rarely guaranteed. It is always best to apply directly to the school you intend to graduate from.
