Real World Frequently Asked Questions

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

This is what 21st century higher education looks like.

• Multidisciplinary

• Experiential

• “Real World” Problem Solving

• Student Centered/Flipped Classroom/Active Learning

Real World courses are OPEN TO ALL NYU STUDENTS.

The course functions like this:  At the beginning of the semester, students in the class  are given a real-world business challenge from a REAL WORLD PARTNER  that they really want solved. For the rest of the semester, students are divided into multidisciplinary teams (like in the real world) comprised of students from different degree programs that create competing pitches to be presented to a panel of REAL WORLD PARTNER executives at the end the semester.  The winning team(s), if feasible, have their solutions implemented by REAL WORLD PARTNER. Students will engage in a “real world” process  -- from client brief to research to creative brainstorming to outlining strategies, tactics and timelines and, finally, the client pitch. 

An NYU professor teaches the class. Students also meet regularly with top industry executives  and subject matter experts throughout the semester as well as study current trends and successful cases in the relevant industry and business practice space.  Students meet at least (usually more) three times in person with REAL WORLD PARTNER executives --  the first class and last class and one class in the middle of the semester. Most of the classes function as laboratories (“labs”) for competing groups to hash out ideas, concretize plans, present assignments and receive face-to-face feedback from the instructor and guests. The class also features experiential learning opportunities, engaging with REAL WORLD PARTNER organizations assets and executives.

There are so many benefits—educational and professional—NYUSPS Real World courses deliver to students. Here are just a few:

• Students who indicate real world work experience on their resumes are preferred by employers over students who do not, when competing for jobs
• Students who can demonstrate they possess so-called “soft skills” – cross-collaboration, leadership, interpersonal communication skills, empathy, problem solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, multidisciplinary approach, ability to learn new things -- are preferred by employers over students who do not, when competing for jobs
• Students compile a portfolio of “real world” work product to show prospective employers
• Student work product can be implemented and live in the real world
• International students who have OPT obstacles to internships get industry experience they can claim on resume
• Students who work full-time, and can’t take on an internship, get industry experience they can claim on resume
• Internships vary greatly in quality and oversight – this solves that problem
• 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 partners organization and their executives as future talent, leading to internships and employment

Real World courses ultimately fulfill the promise we make to students who choose to come to NYU SPS that they will have access to NYC industry leaders and organizations. Real World not only fulfills that promise/ student expectation but makes that access educationally correct, qualitatively meaningful, and professionally advantageous

The standard practice in SPS degree programs is to offer this course as an elective. You may also explore the idea of applying for a course substitution. Course substitution will depend on approval from your degree program administration. Course substitution applications have been contemplated for practicums, capstones, internships, for courses that seem similar in content or subject matter and for students who have exceptional interest in the REAL WORLD course challenge or organization.

Yes!  2 or 3 credits, depending on the course. 

Eligibility Requirements:

GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Both part-time and full-time NYUSPS graduate students (domestic and international) are eligible
  • 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
• Graduate students may only apply to the graduate courses listed

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS:

• Both part-time and full-time NYUSPS undergraduate students (domestic and international) are eligible
  • 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 undergraduate courses listed

STEINHARDT STUDENTS ONLY:

• Both part-time and full-time NYU undergraduate students (domestic and international) are eligible. 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. Sophomores are welcome to apply.

To be 100% clear, no matter what REAL WORLD course you take, the skills you acquire by collaboratively solving a real world problem, under competitive real world conditions with top executives from A-list organizations – no matter what the challenge is, no matter what organization it’s for – will set you apart and make you more valuable for any opportunity in any chosen professional area. We know this to be true because industry tell us so, as does research.

How to Apply:

1. Click on the "Apply Now" button on the website.
   

2. When prompted, log in using your NYU credentials.

3. If you receive an error screen, try clearing your browser history or using a private/incognito browser window to access the application page and login. 

4. Fill out the application.

Application Open: April 7, 2025

Application Deadline: September 15, 2025

• “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, Head of Sports Media Partnerships, Facebook/Instagram

     

• “Awesome work … The 14 weeks was 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 NYUSPS 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 for more information.

Please speak with your advisor to discuss how a course may work with your curriculum. We suggest you do this before submitting an application.

You may check your status portal at any time after submitting your application to get up to date information regarding your application status or decision. Please do not email us for an application decision unless 3 weeks have passed since your submission.

Students may apply to a maximum of 2 courses. However, students will only be admitted or waitlisted for 1 course. Students are not permitted to accept admission to one course while remaining on the waitlist for another.

No, unfortunately not.

No.