• Both part-time and full-time NYU undergraduate students (domestic and international) are eligible. Special and visiting students are not eligible.

    o   Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (must be maintained through the start of the course)

• Completion of 36 credits (at the time of the application)
• NYU SPS Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS)

    o   Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (must be maintained through the start of the course)

    o   Completion of 72 credits (12 completed credits at NYU SPS) at the time of application

• Undergraduate students may apply up to two undergraduate courses listed

• Both part-time and full-time NYU graduate students (domestic and international) are eligible. Special and visiting students are not eligible.

• Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (must be maintained through the start of the course)

• Completion of six credits at the time of application

• Graduate students may apply up to two graduate courses listed

While Real World courses are generally considered electives, in some instances, they can count toward your degree requirements. Consult with your academic advisor to see if a course substitution is possible.

Submit via the Real World application portal:

• 1 Essay (less than 500 words)

• Current Resume/CV

• NYU Unofficial Transcript

• Application decisions will be made on a rolling basis and will be viewable in the application status portal. Please wait at least two weeks after submission before contacting us for a status update.

• All applications must be submitted through the application portal above by the deadline in order to be considered. Emailed applications will not be accepted. 

• All applications must include a copy of an unofficial transcript downloaded from Albert, even if no credits have been earned yet.

• Once a decision is made, we will contact students with instructions on how to register using a unique permission code. Students are admitted on a first-come first-serve basis. If accepted, your registration will be guaranteed.

• Due to high demand, students are only permitted to be enrolled/waitlisted for one Real World section at a time. If a student is actively enrolled/waitlisted in any section of Real World, they cannot be enrolled/waitlisted for another section. 

• If accepted into Real World, students still have to wait until their official university registration window opens. Students will not be able to register before this.

• If a student receives an error message when trying to log back into the above application portal, please try clearing your browser history/cache, or try using a different browser or an incognito/private browser window.

Application Opens: March 24, 2025
Info Session: April 2, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fall 2025 Course Registration Begins: April 21, 2025
First day of Fall 2025 Semester: September 2, 2025
Last day of add/drop: Applications will close on the 16th and waitlists will be updated.

In these courses, students solve challenges of real-world A-list organizations. Students work in multidisciplinary teams, in fluid consultation with organization executives and NYU SPS faculty members to research, prepare, and present their solutions on the final day of class. Selected ideas and solutions are chosen by the organization to be implemented into their business practices.

Real World courses are open to all NYU students.

Students start with a real business challenge from an industry partner organization. This is a real problem that the company actually wants solved. For the rest of the semester, students are divided into multidisciplinary teams comprised of students from different degree programs. They create competing pitches to be presented to a panel of executives from the partner organization. If the winning idea is feasible, students will get to see their idea implemented into the real world. Students will get first-hand exposure to real-world processes like client briefs, research, project management, and finally, the client pitch. 
 

While an NYU professor teaches and oversees the class, students also meet regularly with top industry executives and subject matter experts throughout the semester. They will study current trends and dive into relevant successful case studies. Classes function as labs for teams to develop plans, present assignments, and receive feedback. Experiential learning opportunities with partner organizations are also included.

Real World courses fulfill the promise we make to students who come to NYU SPS that they will have access to NYC industry leaders and organizations. Additionally, there are many educational and professional benefits of NYU SPS Real World courses: 

• Students leave the class with the ability to demonstrate so-called “soft skills” that employers prefer when evaluating candidates. These include cross-collaboration, leadership, interpersonal communication skills, empathy, problem solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to learn new things.

• Students compile a portfolio of “real world” work that’s been implemented and lives in the world to show prospective employers.

• International students who have OPT obstacles to internships get industry experience they can claim on their resumes.

• Students who work full-time, and can’t take on an internship, get industry experience they can claim on their resume.

• Students work closely and directly with top, senior executives for 14-weeks.

• Students are exposed to premium experiential learning with a blue-chip industry partner.

• Students in Real World courses are viewed by partner organizations and their executives as future talent, leading to internships and employment.

“Awesome work … The 14 weeks were well spent … from listening, to learning to leading a campaign for us … Somebody should say AMEN!” –Lisa Borders, President, WNBA
 

“I’ve seen folks who have been in the sustainability space for years who haven’t reached the level of insight and understanding that your students did in such a short time.” –Vijay Sudan, Vice President, Social Impact, 21st Century Fox
 

 “We continually strive to find like-minded partners who seek to push the boundaries of the traditional. This collaboration with NYU SPS truly defines that.” –Neil Glat, President, New York Jets
 

“This partnership is an excellent opportunity for students to explore real-world briefs for our brands, in tandem with us connecting with some of the brightest emerging talent of the future.” –Karyn Rockwell, CEO, FCB NY
 

“Providing our students with real-world experience is one of the best opportunities we can give [students]. ... “This is a great example of the power of public-private partnership.” –Letitia James, Public Advocate, City of New York

For specific questions or inquiries please contact sps.realworld@nyu.edu

Real World courses typically count as electives. You may also apply for a course substitution with approval from your degree program administration. Examples of course substitutions could be practicums, capstones, internships, and courses that seem similar in content or subject matter.

Yes, these courses offer 2 or 3 credits, depending on the specific course. 

Generally, eligibility requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of certain credits. Both part-time and full-time students can apply. Specific requirements are below:

• Graduate students

  • Open to both part-time and full-time NYU SPS graduate students (domestic and international)

    • Note: Special and visiting students are not eligible

    • Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained through the start of the course

    • Completion of 6 credits at the time of application

    • May only apply to the graduate courses listed

• Undergraduate students

  • Open to both part-time and full-time NYU SPS undergraduate students (domestic and international)

    • Note: Special and visiting students are not eligible

  • Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained through the start of the course

  • Completion of 36 credits (at the time of application)

  • Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS)

    • Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (must be maintained through the start of the course)

    • Completion of 72 credits (12 completed credits at SPS) at the time of application

  • Undergraduate students may only apply to listed undergraduate courses 

• Steinhardt students

  • Open to both part-time and full-time NYU undergraduate students (domestic and international) 

    • Note: Special visiting students are not eligible

  • Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained through the start of the course

  • Juniors and Seniors will be given preference; however, sophomores are welcome to apply

No matter which Real World course you take, the skills you acquire by collaboratively solving a real-world problem with top executives from A-list organizations will set you apart and make you more valuable in any professional area. Industry feedback and research confirm this value.