An oversized Greenwich Village loft houses the computer labs, rotating exhibitions, and production workshops that are ITP — the Interactive Telecommunications Program. Founded in 1979 as the first graduate education program in alternative media, ITP has grown into a living community of technologists, theorists, engineers, designers, and artists uniquely dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactivity in the real and digital worlds. A hands-on approach to experimentation, production and risk-taking make this hi-tech fun house a creative home not only to its 220 students, but also to an extended network of the technology industry’s most daring and prolific practitioners.

ITP is internationally recognized as a unique and vital contributor of new ideas and talented individuals to the professional world of multimedia and interactivity. The department takes a creative and professional approach to the challenges of the information age.

Experimentation is an essential element in understanding both the opportunities and responsibilities inherent in this evolving field. ITP’s philosophy of a hands-on approach to learning relies on collaboration rather than competition, fostering a creative environment where exploration, analysis, risk-taking and experimentation can occur. The department provides an open and nurturing environment in which people are empowered to develop their own ideas, no matter how experimental. ITP emphasizes the user’s creativity rather than the capability of the computer. The department challenges students to apply their creativity and imagination to the latest digital tools and techniques. The curriculum is devoted to teaching the practice and theory that emerge from the convergence of new media technologies.

The department, which began in 1979, grew out of the work of the Alternate Media Center which was founded in 1971. ITP and AMC have developed an international reputation for pioneering work in demonstration and research in the field of interactive media. 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Interactive Telecommunications Program.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2009 for Fall 2010

ITP is a creative environment at the intersection of Art and Technology in which diversity is valued and collaboration is encouraged.

A background in design or computer programming is not required for acceptance into the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). The program is looking for applicants from a diverse range of educational and professional backgrounds who want to explore and create new forms of communication and expression using interactive multimedia technologies.

Acceptance into the program is competitive; enrollment is limited to full-time applicants who show exceptional promise and are interested in collaboration and experimentation. Admission for degree candidates is for the Fall semester only. All students entering the program must hold a bachelor’s degree which can be completed in any subject matter. No entrance examination is required (however, international students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL English exam).

Admission Application

Applicants to ITP are required to apply online. (http://graduate.tisch.nyu.edu/page/admissions.html) With the online application, everything can be submitted online except for the official transcripts (which still need to be mailed to Tisch Graduate Admissions) and the creative portfolio package (sent to ITP’s admissions coordinator, Midori Yasuda).

Please prepare the following:

1.  A personal statement that examines in approximately 1,000 words
(four pages, typed, double-spaced) aspects of your character that
distinguish you as an individual. Please address the following points:

a) Introduce yourself. Please do not repeat the contents of your
resume but rather use this opportunity to tell us something interesting and different.

b) Tell us about your most interesting failure.

c) What would you most like to learn form the ITP/NYU community?

2. A resume. Please list your educational background and any work experience whether multimedia related or not.

3. Two letters of recommendation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ask recommenders to submit their letters through the online application system. Sending a hardcopy letter by mail will be accepted but will result in a delay in the processing of the application.

4. All official transcripts

The personal statement and resume should be uploaded to the online application for admission. Your recommenders should also use the online system.

Official transcripts or photocopies of transcripts should be gathered and mailed in a single package and should arrive no later than than December 1. Applications that are missing any of the above will not be submitted for admissions review until they are complete.

Questions about the application for admission should be addressed to the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Admissions Office 212.998.1918 tisch.gradadmissions@nyu.edu.

Questions about the optional creative portfolio should be referred to Midori Yasuda, ITP Admissions Coordinator at 212.998.1882 fax: 212.998.1898 e-mail: itp.admissions@nyu.edu

International applicants for whom English is a second language should be aware that the minimum TOEFL requirements are a score of 600 (paper based test), 250 (computer based test) or 100 (iBT Internet test).

Group Interviews

While interviews are not mandatory, ITP encourages as many applicants as possible to visit the program. Group interviews are conducted in December and January. These interviews give applicants the opportunity to see the physical space, to view student work on display, and to meet current students and staff/faculty. The interviews also allow us to learn more about you.

The following is our confirmed interview schedule.  If you have already applied, or know for sure you are applying, please RSVP to itp.rsvp@nyu.edu with your preferred date.  Please also include what city (or country if not in the US) you currently live in and 1 word or simple phrase to describe yourself (ie. dancer, journalist, computer programmer, etc…):

Monday, December 14, 1-3pm
Tuesday, December 15, 2-4pm
Wednesday, December 16, 2-4pm
Friday, December 18,  4-6pm

We may schedule an additional group interview session in the second half of January. If you cannot make any of the above dates but can attend in January, please email to let us know.

If you reside outside of the East Coast and wish to be included in the group interview but cannot make any of the above dates, please contact 212-998-1882 or itp.admissions@nyu.edu to make further arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to visit ITP at any time during the year. You can also make a note on your application that you wish to participate in a group interview.

For out-of-towners – please note that the ITP Winter Show will be December 20-21, so we hope either the 18th will be convenient for you to visit for the group interview and stay for our show!

The Creative Portfolio

Submission of a creative portfolio is optional due to the diversity of applicant backgrounds. Portfolio materials need not be professional-quality work or even interactive media projects. Applicants are encouraged to submit work that is reflective of their interests and experiences. An admission decision will not be based on whether or not you submit a creative portfolio.

If you wish to send a portfolio, please prepare the following:

We ask that applicants limit the creative work to just one of the following formats:

1. MOST PREFERRED METHOD IF POSSIBLE – URL. Provide a list of required plug-ins or technical specifications. Please check very carefully that all links are working properly. If sending a URL, it can simply be emailed to the admissions coordinator – itp.admissions@nyu.edu
   

No need to send the contents sheet if emailing the URL. Just include the description of the portfolio in the email itself.

2. CD (please specify Mac, PC, or Mac/PC disk and send only one disk).
3. Video. Limit: one DVD (NTSC).
   No more than three segments edited to a combined total of no more than
   15 minutes. Any more than this time allotment will not viewed.
4. Print. Laser copies, photograph prints, portfolio book. Do not exceed 11″ x 14″ dimensions.
5. Writing Samples. Limit: No more than 20 pages.
6. Audio CDs. Limit: one.

• Creative Portfolio Contents Guide Sheet.(This form can be found in the online application in the “Downloadable Forms” section). It is very important that you include a printed version of instructions for viewing the portfolio (e.g. Which files to select for a CD-ROM), a list of contents with a short description of each piece, and your role in the production of the content. Portfolios that do not have a clear set of instructions will not be reviewed.
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope (if you want your creative materials returned).

Do not send an original copy of your creative work. ITP cannot be held responsible for any materials lost or damaged while in our possession or in transit.

Physically label the material carrying your work (on the sleeve, the CD-ROM container, etc.) with your name (last name first, in capital letters, followed by your first name in initial cap and lowercase letters, using the exact same name you have used in the application for admission: e.g., SMITH, John) and date of birth – month/day/year, e.g., 05/31/82). Also properly identify yourself in the soft portion of the piece (with legal name, date of birth, etc.).

Enclose items 1-3 of your creative portfolio in a well-wrapped, clearly labeled package and deliver or send via e-mail so that it is received on or before December 1 to:

Midori Yasuda
ITP Admissions Coordinator
Interactive Telecommunications Program
Tisch School of the Arts
New York University
721 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10003-6807

ITP attracts so many different types of students who are interested in studying creative uses of interactive multimedia technologies. Whether you are a sculptor or a computer programmer, an architect or a philosopher, a dancer or a scientist, and want to apply your interests to interactive media, we would like an opportunity to learn more about you.  

At the open house information sessions, Red Burns, the Chair or Dan O’Sullivan, the Associate Chair, and Midori Yasuda, the Admissions Coordinator, will explain how ITP attracts students from very diverse backgrounds who want to experiment with interactivity, creativity and technology in the real and digital worlds. Questions about the department and the admissions process are addressed and a tour of the facilities are given.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the department.  The following is the Fall schedule:

Friday, November 20, 4 – 6pm

To RSVP for the session above, please email itp.rsvp@nyu.edu. Space is limited. We appreciate if you please do not bring guests with you unless they too are interested in the program and you have RSVP’ed for them. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please also include BRIEF answers to the following questions so we can get a better sense of who you are. PLEASE no more than 2-3 sentences for any section.

* How did you learn about ITP?
* Brief background – work and education.
* Tell us anything interesting about you.
* What kind of graduate school experience are you looking for?

Spaces are filling up quickly, so please RSVP today!

Applications for Fall 2010 will be available here starting in August, 2009. The deadline for Fall 2010 admissions will be December 1, 2009!

If you are visiting New York over the Spring/Summer and cannot return in the Fall, please contact ITP admissions at itp.admissions@nyu.edu to schedule an individual appointment.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Assistantships

The Tisch School of the Arts offers a limited number of tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships to incoming students. There is no separate application for NYU scholarships. All students are automatically considered for academic merit-based and financial need-based scholarships after applying for admission and financial aid (applicants planning to file should so indicate on the admission application).

Awards are made on the basis of academic excellence, demonstrated ability, professional promise, and financial need. Evaluations are made by the department you are applying to and by the NYU Office of Financial Aid. Tuition scholarships are funds applied toward the cost of tuition. Graduate assistantships include tuition remission and a stipend, and students selected for these positions fulfill teaching, research, or administrative responsibilities in various departments of the Tisch School of the Arts.

The Tisch Application for Graduate Admission and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) contain all the information needed for scholarship determination. Please keep in mind that requesting financial aid will have no effect on the admission decision.

Federal Aid

Need-based financial assistance in the form of loans and student employment is available to qualified students through the federal government. Federal assistance is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. Graduate students may qualify for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Student Loan or the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan programs. Students may also qualify for student employment through the Federal Work-Study Program. To be considered for federal aid, students must file the FAFSA.

FAFSA

Tisch School of the Arts encourages all U.S. citizens and permanent residents to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all forms of federal and state aid, including the Federal Work-Study Program and the various federal and private loan programs. The FAFSA is the basic form for most student aid programs; be sure to complete all required sections and submit it to the central processor as instructed (do not send it to New York University; your data will be transmitted to us electronically).

Students are strongly encouraged to apply online using FAFSA on the Web, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, the fastest and most accurate method, which eliminates the additional processing time and potential errors associated with a traditional paper FAFSA. The process is quicker and better for the student and for NYU. The current FAFSA is available beginning January 1.

The FAFSA should be filed by February 15. If you miss the deadline you may still apply, but your eligibility may be affected. Students should be sure to give permission on the FAFSA for their data to be forwarded to New York University: our federal school code number is 002785. If you have not filed your tax returns by February 15, you can use estimated information on the FAFSA, but you must later correct this data on your Student Aid Report.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

When your online FAFSA application information has been processed (approximately 1-2 weeks), you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by either standard mail or e-mail from the U.S. Department of Education confirming your application information. (If you do not receive your SAR, call 800-4-FED-AID or 800-433-3243.) Review it for accuracy, be sure that all required sections are complete, and verify that New York University’s federal school number 002785 is listed. Follow the SAR instructions to make changes or corrections if necessary. You may also view your SAR record on the FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and make changes there (see the “FAFSA Follow-up” area). Once the federal processor receives the corrections, you will be mailed a final SAR.

After all required signatures and your application or correction form are received and processed, you can access your application information by selecting “View and Print Your Student Aid Report” in the “FAFSA Follow-up” area. Mail or e-mail a printed copy to:

John Brown
Office of Graduate Admissions
Tisch School of the Arts
New York University
721 Broadway, 8th Floor, Room 801
New York, NY 10003-6807

john.brown@nyu.edu

Note: Do not send a printed copy to the NYU Office of Financial Aid (data will be transmitted to the office electronically).

Special Financial Circumstances

Applicants can provide any special financial circumstances they feel would be grounds to be considered for more or less aid. Please provide a separate statement of any details you consider would be useful to us in determining your eligibility for scholarship funding.

Special Note For Non-U.S. Citizens

Tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships for international students (F-1 and J-1 visas) are extremely limited in number. In general, international applicants are urged to seek aid from outside sources and the government of their home country.

More detailed information on financial aid for international students can be found online at http://www.nyu.edu/financial.aid/international.php.

Academic Requirements

Applicants with international educational credentials are strongly urged to submit their applications and credentials at least one month prior to the deadline specified by the program to which they are applying. This will help facilitate the evaluation of credentials that precedes formal admissions processing.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must meet the English language requirements. If English is not your native language, you should plan to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (see web site link for more info). The test should be taken no later than November to ensure that results are received in time to meet admissions deadlines. Only TOEFL scores that are less than two years old are acceptable. Late receipt of scores will cause delays in the admissions process and departmental evaluation. Some departments require receipt of TOEFL scores before determining if an interview can be arranged. Alternatively, you can meet this requirement by sumbitting the results of the International English Language Testing System  (IELTS) examination. For more information visit http://www.ielts.org. If you live in the United States you can take the American Language Institute (ALI) test offered at a number of Universities. The American Language Institute at New York University, for example, offers a number of tests throughout the year. For information call 212.998.7040 or visit their web site at

http://www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of-study/american-language-institute/

What kind of classes does ITP offer?

Please see our website for the current course listing. ITP provides a “hands-on” approach to teaching and classes tend to be project-driven.

ITP courses are divided into 3 Tiers:

1. Tier 1 are Foundation Courses and are required of all students in the department. If a student has particular knowledge and experience in an area that a Foundation Course covers, then the class may be waived with the approval of an ITP academic advisor.
2. Tier 2 consists of elective courses, divided between production and design workshops and seminars.
3. Tier 3 is the final thesis project where students work on a semester-long project which demonstrates competence in the field and is required of all students.

What kind of professors teach in the department?

ITP has a core group of exceptional full-time faculty, which is augmented by a wide-ranging community of adjunct faculty members who are new media industry leaders. The faculty come from such areas as art, industrial design, computer science, game design, writing, media theory, and consulting, just to name a few.  They bring their expertise from the real world to the collaborative classroom experience.

Please see the Admin & Faculty for bios on our faculty members.

Can I collaborate with fellow ITP students? What about with students from other departments?

Collaboration with other ITP students is a given, and happens in almost every class. This is an important emphasis of the department. ITP students wishing to foster collaborations with students from other graduate programs may certainly do so, but in such cases they would be expected to make their own connections, sometimes through the Tisch Graduate Student Organization (GSO), a governing body made up of student representatives from all the Tisch graduate departments.

Can I take classes in another department?

ITP students can take up to 8 credits outside of the department. Students need the approval of an ITP academic advisor and approval from the other department. The classes need to be on the graduate level and related to the ITP course of study.

Can I transfer graduate credits from other schools?

Students who have graduate credits that have not already been used towards the completion of a degree may be considered for transfer of credits towards ITP. ITP accepts up to 8 transfer credits. These credits need to be on the graduate level and related to the ITP course of study. Students need to have received an excellent grade (A) in any course they wish to transfer. Students need to provide the department with transcripts, course descriptions and syllabi. Acceptance of transfer credits is subject to the approval of the Chair.

Does ITP offer any online or distance learning courses?

ITP does not have any online courses and does not have any plans for any in the near future. Online courses do not share the same general philosophy of the department where collaboration and group work are essential to the learning process.

How does ITP keep in touch with the larger new media industry?

ITP regularly hosts special events that are open to current students, alumni and faculty of the department. At least once a week, guest speakers present to the students on various topics related to the industry. Past speakers have included new media entrepreneurs, multimedia artists, new media lawyers, educators, and alumni. See the News & Events page.

ITP also coordinates recruitment with various new media companies and organizations seeking to hire current students and alumni for intern, freelance, and full-time positions.

Where do ITP alumni work after graduation?

ITP alumni tend to find jobs in all industries doing many different kinds of work. Because we have such a diverse population of students coming from all different backgrounds, the type of work that is available to the ITP alumni is equally diverse. Some start their own businesses, others work for web development companies, and others work for large and small companies in all industries such as the non-profit sector, education, the art world, and e-commerce, to name just a few.

ITP graduates hold such job titles as:

• Creative Director, Frog Design
• Senior Designer, Pentagram Design
• Director of Strategic Planning, Digital Media, Microsoft Corporation
• Interactive Designer, American Museum of Natural History
• Senior Creative Director, IBM.com
• Applications Engineer in the Technology Development Group, Honeybee Robotics
• Senior Designer/ Project Lead, IDEO
• Producer of teenpeople.con, Time Interactive
• Senior Vice President of Marketing, Infinium Labs
• Interaction Designer of R&D and Asst Director, Media Innovations (Mexico City)
• Director of Interactive Media, WNYC New York Public Radio
• Vice President of Product Development, Upoc Networks, Inc.
• Co-founders, Dodgeball.com
• Fonder and CEO, NetInformer Corp.
• Advanced Educational Systems, NYU School of Medicine
• Interaction Designer, ESI Design
• Principal, Local Projects
• Director of New Media, Minnesota Public Radio
• Interaction Design Researcher, People & Practices Group, Intel Research
• Digital Media Manager, American Museum of the Moving Image
• Manager: Wireless Services, eSolutions, Sony Electronics
• Systems and Graphic Designer, Shiseido
• Senior Interaction Designer, R/GA
• Producer, R/GA
• Multimedia Manager, IFC Digital Media (Independent Film Channel)
• Production Manager of Multimedia, MTV Networks Creative Services
• Multimedia Developer for Public Exhibitions, San Francisco Exploratorium
• Exhibit Technician, New York Hall of Science
• Resident, Microsoft Asia (Beijing)
• IT Solutions Group, TBWA\Chiat\Day
• Designer, AvroKo
• Project Manager, National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
• Professor, Meisei University, Tokyo, Japan
• Director of Technology, Arts Engine, Inc.
• Film Festival Coordinator, Asian Cinevision
• Senior Director of Business Development & E-Commerce Operations, Nickelodeon Online
• Senior Director of Global Content, Office Depot
• Co-Founders, WholeNote
• User Experience Specialist, Nielsen Norman Group
• Content Strategist, Ogilvy Interactive
• Artistic Director, New York Dance & Arts Innovations
• Resident, Eyebeam Atelier
• Associate Chair, Integrated Design Curriculum, Parson’s School of Design
• Co-Founder and Managing/Creative Director, illumiSPACE (Taipei, Taiwan)
• Chairperson, A.I. Republic (Taipei, Taiwan)
• Head of Broadband Team, Times of India group, indiatimes.com

How can I find out more information about ITP?

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the department before applying. Each Fall semester (September through December), ITP hosts a series of Admissions Open House sessions meant for potential applicants who are interested in learning more about full-time study in the department. Each session is attended by Red Burns, the Chair of ITP, and Midori Yasuda, ITP’s Admissions Coordinator, who will provide a tour of the department as well as answer questions about the admissions process and the program. See the open house page.

If your schedule does not permit you to attend an open house, individual appointments can be scheduled. Please feel free to call or email with questions or to schedule appointments by contacting Midori Yasuda at 212-998-1882 or midori.yasuda@nyu.edu.

In addition, ITP hosts student showcases at the end of each semester (May and December) where the department features dozens of multimedia installations including physical and virtual interaction design demonstrations, sound and video design projects, and screen-based works featured from some of our advanced production courses. ITP shows are the best time to get a sense of the energy, diversity, and spirit of the department.

Must I attend ITP full-time?

Yes. ITP is a 2-year, full-time graduate program. All students must maintain full-time student status, meaning they must take at least 12 credits and no more than 18 credits each semester. (Most of ITP’s courses are 4 credits each; we do offer some 2 credit courses). We require 60 credits to graduate from the department.

What is the due date for the application?

Applications must be received by December 1 for consideration for the Fall term. Applicants can submit the graduate application earlier (and we encourage applicants to do so in order to ease the administrative burden).

Admissions is for the Fall semester only. We do not have Spring admissions.

Please note that the department does not have an early decision admissions process. If you are requesting a special exception to the deadline, please contact Midori Yasuda, ITP’s Admissions Coordinator.

When will I be notified of the admissions decisions?

Admissions decisions are mailed out by the end of March through early April.

Admissions offers are only valid for the semester which is specified on the acceptance letter. Due to the nature of our admissions process, we do not defer admissions (except under extreme circumstances).

What sort of financial aid is available?

All U.S. applicants who are 1) accepted and 2) filed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), will receive a financial aid package that will allow them to study at NYU.

Most students receive loan-based assistance, but some ITP scholarships are available, though highly competitive. U.S. applicants are strongly urged to complete the FAFSA by February 15.

International students are urged to look for outside sources of funding well in advance of the acceptance notice, but will be considered for departmental scholarships.

Please refer to the graduate application and Office of Financial Aid for more information.

What materials do I have to submit as a part of the application?

All applicants need to submit a completed application form, personal statement, current resume, 2 letters of recommendations, official transcripts, the application fee, and an optional creative portfolio. There is also an optional group interview process.  International students must also submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results.

Through the online application system, everything can now be submitted online except transcripts, portfolios and TOEFL scores.  Applicants are strongly urged to request that their recommenders file their letters through the online system.  If your recommenders are unable to use the system, letters of recommendations and official transcripts can be sent directly to the Tisch Graduate Admissions Office. The applicant’s name and social security number must be listed on the supporting materials so that Graduate Admissions can accurately match them with the rest of the application file. Please refer to the detailed instructions in the application.

The departmental code for the TOEFL score is 9633.

GRE scores are not required for admissions.

Do I have to submit a portfolio? Will this help or hinder my application?

Submitting a creative portfolio is optional. The portfolio is meant for those applicants who feel that they have something creative to share with the admissions committee.

Applicants can submit professional or personal works, anything that exhibits ideas and a sense of creativity. For example, an applicant who is a professional photographer may want to submit a portfolio – i.e. via slides, print, digital images, etc. On the other hand, an applicant who is an amateur photographer is also welcome to submit a personal portfolio.

However, please make sure to fill out the creative portfolio description sheet so the Admissions Committee understands how to interpret the work – whether it’s professional quality, a class project, or a personal hobby.

Please note that it does not reflect badly on applicants if they choose not to submit a portfolio. Also, please note that ITP cannot be held responsible for any creative materials lost or damaged while in our possession or in transit. Please do not send us original work. Applicants who would like portfolios returned must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the portfolio.

For full instructions, please see the portfolio section in the Graduate Application.

Is there an interview as part of the admissions process?

ITP hosts a series of group interviews starting in January through the end of February. We strongly encourage applicants to visit the department, meet current students, faculty and staff, see the projects on display and get a better feel for and understanding of the program.

Students who live on the east coast will automatically be contacted for an interview. Students who live abroad or further away from NYC are more than welcome to participate in the admissions process. If you will be visiting the NYC area, please contact Midori Yasuda to schedule a visit/interview.

What are the backgrounds of the ITP students?

The ITP student population is very diverse. Candidates do not need to have prior experience with technology or interactive design. Rather, ITP seeks students from all different educational and professional backgrounds as well as maintaining geographic and cultural diversity. Since ITP is such a highly collaborative environment, the diversity of the student population is a very important factor.

A sampling of some of the backgrounds include – film, video, photography, painting, sculpting, architecture, industrial design, theatre, dance, music composition, web and graphic design, creative writing, history, philosophy, political science, urban studies, psychology, non-profit activism, biology, law, advertising, finance, business, computer science and engineering.

The average age of ITP students is approximately 27-28 years old. ITP prefers that candidates have at least a few years of work experience before joining the program. However, we do accept candidates directly out of undergraduate school as well as students well into their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. ITP is equally balanced between men and women in the program.

ITP’s international student population is very diverse – this past year, roughly 25 countries were represented. We have students from such places as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, India, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Slovenia, Russia, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Greece, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

What if I don’t have a technical or design background?

It is not necessary to have a technical or interactive design background to attend ITP. In fact, the purpose of the four Foundation courses (which makeup the Tier I group of classes which are required of all students) is to introduce such key concepts and ideas. Foundation courses include Applications of Interactive Technologies, Communications Lab, Introduction to Computational Media and Introduction to Physical Computing. Please refer to our course descriptions.

I am an international student. Are they any other issues that I need to know in order to apply to the program?

In order to avoid delays, international students are encouraged to submit all application materials in advance of deadline to the Tisch Graduate Admissions office.

All international students need to take the TOEFL English exam. There are special cases where applicants may be able to waive out of this requirement, please refer to the graduate application for more details.

Once an international applicant is accepted to the program, NYU will provide assistance with student visa issues. More information can be found in the graduate application and on the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) website.

Can I work while attending ITP?

ITP is a 2-year, full-time program. Many ITP students work part-time or as interns while in the program whether it be for financial reasons or to gain valuable experience. However, we highly recommend no more than 20 hours of work per week in addition to the regular full-time class load. Many of the ITP classes require a large number of hours outside of the classroom that require flexibility of time for group collaborative meetings and developing individual projects that are essential to the overall ITP experience.

Special notice to international students: Due to the complex rules and regulations which govern student visa/employment issues, international students must obtain the permission of NYU’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) in order to seek employment, and must maintain full-time student status. See the OISS website.

Can I take classes on a non-degree basis?

During the academic year, ITP classes are limited to ITP students and other matriculated, degree-seeking students at NYU.

However, each summer, ITP offers an array of courses that are available to the larger academic community beyond NYU for graduate credit. To inquire about summer courses, please contact the department. Please note that the summer session is a special circumstance where the department allows outside students to take ITP classes. The ITP student status for the summer does not carry over to the academic year unless the student has officially been admitted into the program.

Is housing available to ITP students?

Graduate student housing is limited but available. Applicants who would like to be considered for graduate housing should mark the appropriate box on the graduate application. If accepted into the program, applicants will be mailed the graduate housing application.

How can I request a graduate application?

Potential applicants can apply online by going to:

http://graduate.tisch.nyu.edu/object/howtoapply.html

Please check the Tisch Graduate Admissions website often to check for updates.

Can I charge my application fee?

Yes, the online application requires that you pay by credit card or e-check.

Is it a problem if my undergraduate degree is in a field unrelated to what I want to study on the graduate level?

No. We have many students who apply from a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds. What is important is the creative material (portfolios, writing samples or auditions) for the conservatory training departments and evidence of strong scholarly and research abilities for our academic departments. If you feel you don’t have enough experience in the field you want to go into, it may be a good idea to prepare by taking a noncredit course or gaining practical experience before applying.

Can I defer my admission?

Due to the nature of the conservatory training programs and the rigorous selection process, we do not grant admission deferments. Deferment is not an available option for accepted students to most Tisch programs. Under special circumstances the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program will consider requests for deferment. In these cases deferment is limited to one year.

If I’m having trouble getting a recommendation or transcript to you on time, can I fax it?

The application is expressly designed to allow recommenders to submit letters of recommendation online.  Because transcripts are often printed in color or have a raised seal they are rendered unofficial by photocopying or faxing. Please make arrangements to have your recommendation letters submitted online and your transcripts delivered by mail with a cover sheet in a timely fashion.

Can I fax my application to you?

No. We do not accept faxed applications.

Is a bachelor’s degree required for all programs?

Yes. You must have an undergraduate degree to apply to any of our Graduate programs.

ITP is a state-of-the-art multimedia production center located in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. It is housed in a 15,000-square-foot complex in which a turn-of-the-century industrial loft has been transformed into a striking high-technology studio. Students can reserve a wide variety of digital production equipment including high-end Mac and PC multimedia workstations and digital audio, video, and MIDI workstations utilizing the latest software tools. Also featured is a construction workshop for physical prototyping, including a machine shop, firmware programming stations, and electronics prototyping tools. All classrooms and presentation spaces support networked Macs and PCs with high-speed Internet connections, computer projection and sound reinforcement. A secure wireless network has also been established in the department for student use.

New York City, the richest communications environment in the world, provides the ideal location for the department, which is situated at New York University’s Washington Square Center in Greenwich Village.

ITP is a two-year program of full-time study leading to the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree. The degree requires completion of 60 graduate credits within a three-tier structure.

First Tier – Foundation Courses (16 points)

Each foundation course will be offered at least once a year. Generally, students will be expected to complete these foundation courses before moving to Tier Two or Tier Three. In particular cases, a different sequence will make more sense and will be permitted. Sixteen credits in foundation courses are required for completion of the degree program. Due to previous studies or work experience, some students may consider themselves already proficient in a field covered by a foundation course. They may apply to a faculty advisor for permission to waive it. In deciding whether to grant the application, the faculty may require that an oral or written examination be taken. Waiver of a foundation course does not in itself reduce the 60-point requirement for graduation; usually it means a student will increase the number of elective studies, seminars, or fieldwork courses taken.

Second Tier – Workshops and Seminars (40 points)

Students can choose from a wide variety of courses from our production workshop and seminar areas. Workshop classes provide hands-on experience in such areas as design and digital media, computational media, networks, and physical computing, among many other topics. Seminar classes consider the impact of interactive media on society. Students may also arrange for independent study or internship credits.  See course listings for more details.

Third Tier – Final Thesis Project (4 points)

Students register for a final project seminar that is designed to help them define and execute their final projects. It is structured as a series of critique and presentation sessions in which various aspects of individual projects are discussed. Critique sessions are a combination of internal sessions (i.e., the class only) and reviews by external guest critics. Students are expected to complete and present a fully articulated thesis project and related documentation by the end of their last semester.

Transfer of Credits

Applications for a transfer of credits based on comparable graduate-level courses may be submitted only after three courses have been completed within the program. A maximum of 8 points may be transferred. Applications require the approval of the faculty.

Ownership Policy

The creative works produced by students at the Tisch School of the Arts in fulfillment of class assignments, or as individual study projects, whether made on Tisch School of the Arts premises or elsewhere, with or without Tisch School of the Arts equipment, and with or without extra funds, are subject to certain restrictions until the educational experience associated with such works has been completed. These restrictions are spelled out in the Ownership Policy section in the Tisch School of the Arts Bulletin.