Work in multidisciplinary student teams, in fluid consultation and communication, with A-list organization executives and SPS faculty on a real world problem the organization faces. Research, prepare, and present your solutions on the final day of class. Selected ideas are implemented, concretely, into their real world business practice.
SPS Real World
The Future of Work
How do you prepare for jobs that have yet to be invented or entire industries that don’t yet exist? This is how: we put you in the real world.
A-List Industry Partners
Work directly with top executives from the hottest companies for 14 weeks and receive course credit. These courses build relationships and skills. This is why you came to NYU SPS.
Real World
Work in multidisciplinary teams to solve actual business problems in an experiential, in-person, flipped-classroom format. Viable student solutions get implemented in the real world. Welcome to 21st century professional education.
You in 2050
Your job will change. Your career will change. The world of work will change. You'll learn the skills you need by solving new problems in the real world, in real time. Real World gives you that durable and enduring professional edge.
Real World Courses
UNDERGRADUATE - FALL 2025
NOTE: If you are uncertain about whether or not Real World courses will count towards your degree requirements, please consult your academic advisor.
GRADUATE - FALL 2025
NOTE: If you are uncertain about whether or not Real World courses will count towards your degree requirements, please consult your academic advisor.
UNDERGRADUATE - SPRING 2025
NOTE: If you are uncertain about whether or not Real World courses will count towards your degree requirements, please consult your academic advisor.
GRADUATE - SPRING 2025
NOTE: If you are uncertain about whether or not Real World courses will count towards your degree requirements, please consult your academic advisor.
Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Real World
Application Open: April 7, 2025
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
Deadline: Rolling Admissions through September 15, 2025
Decision Notification: Rolling Admissions through September 15, 2025
Fall 2025 Course Registration Begins: April 21, 2025
Application Instructions
- Please submit only one application. If you would like to switch your selections, email us: sps.realworld@nyu.edu
- *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 below 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 gauranteed.
- 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 below application portal, please try clearing your browser history/cache, or try using a different broswer or an incognito/private browser window.
- Please note this course cannot be taken online. It is an in-person only course.
Real World Eligibility
Application Requirements
- 1 Essay (less than 300 words)
- Current Resume/CV
- NYU Unofficial Transcript
- For Undergraduate Students:
- Both part-time and full-time NYU undergraduate 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 36 credits (AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION)
- NYU SPS 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 apply up to 2 undergraduate courses listed
- Please note this course cannot be taken online. It is an in-person only course.
- For Graduate Students:
- 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 6 credits at the time of application
- Graduate students may apply up to 2 graduate courses listed
- Please note this course cannot be taken online. It is an in-person only course.
Industry Testimonials
Vice-President, Demand Generation, Samsung
Really impressed. These students delivered sharp insights, humanized the problem through a consumer-centric lens, and nailed the delivery. On any given day, I would have green lit at least one, if not all, of these proposals!Gary So
Founder of Boston Beer Company
Their pitch, based on primary research, was strategically sound with clear implementation tactics and a solid evaluation plan. All in all, a highly professional performance and a solution we may green light.Jim Koch
Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Anheuser-Busch
I’m blown away by the level of research and detail. In a short time, student teams presented impressive recommendations for brand marketing and long-term strategy; showcasing immediate opportunities with new ways of evaluating the future.Matthew Davis
Owner, Memory Motel
This creates the kinds of minds that the hospitality industry wants to hire. This kind of learning makes graduates ready on day one where others simply are not.Brian Kenny
Team Lead, Regional Marketing, JetBlue
Bright, thoughtful students who developed clever solutions to our challenges. We walked away with a great promotional idea that is actionable and lends itself to repeating / scaling over time. We would certainly partner with NYU Real World again.Ashley Graf
Facebook/Instagram, VP Sports Media Partnerships
The projects the students presented were impressive. The level of creativity from each team was on par with people who have been working in the industry for years.Amy Hudson
Vice President, Social Impact 21st Century Fox
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
President, New York Jets
We continually strive to find like-minded partners who seek to push the boundaries of the traditional. This collaboration with NYUSPS truly defines that.Neil Glat
CEO, FCB NY
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
Public Advocate, City of New York
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
President, WNBA
Awesome work … The 14 weeks was well spent … from listening, to learning to leading a campaign for us … Somebody should say AMEN!Lisa Borders
October 27, 2023
NYU SPS Real World: Spring 2024 Applications Now Open
January 7, 2022
Real World Prudential Center Course Challenges Students to Find Solutions for Business Problems
August 30, 2019
Owner of Iconic Montauk Hotel Praises NYU Real World
May 19, 2019
Real World Dean Receives 2019 NYU Distinguished Teaching Award
April 12, 2019
AXIOS: Real World Dean Joins Chorus Questioning College Majors
April 4, 2019
AXIOS Calls NYU SPS Real World “the future”
January 17, 2019
Instagram Real World: NYU “Cool Course” January 2019
November 24, 2018
New York Jets Real World: NYU "Cool Course" December 2018
November 19, 2018