NYFA is proud to welcome students from all over the globe. Our programs are international in their scope and perspective, and NYFA alumni have made great positive impacts on storytelling industries worldwide.
To achieve this goal of training visual storytellers from around the world, NYFA requires that students submit scores from one of the following English exams: IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo.
Your exam score is only one part of your journey, not the whole story. We look at the person behind the numbers—your motivation, goals, and potential. Your score should not hold you back from applying.
What is NYFA’s Pathway Track?
The Pathway Track is designed for international, non-native English speaking students who have applied to a NYFA certificate or degree program and meet all admissions requirements for the program, but whose English proficiency is at a level that could benefit from English language classes.
The Pathway Track helps students improve English language skills through community-based learning and offers an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and explore their artistic interests.
Students will be placed into a one or two semester track, which is determined by both the submitted English proficiency score (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo) and a brief English assessment conducted by the Pathway Track Director. This promotes students being supported in the best possible way.
During their time in the Pathway Track, students will:
- Improve English proficiency
- Gain experience with and exposure to American culture and NYFA’s vibrant student life
- Earn academic credits toward their NYFA degree (for all bachelor and most master degree students)
NYFA’s Pathway Track is a specialized curriculum within NYFA certificate and degree programs in which students study for one or two extra semesters in order to strengthen their English skills. This is an in-person, highly-interactive curriculum that teaches verbal and written English language skills, including academic reading, writing, and listening, and speaking within an arts-focused course of study.
The tuition for the Pathway Track will be applied to the overall certificate or degree program; therefore, the total tuition for a NYFA Pathway Track degree will be the same as for the same degree taken with the non-Pathway curriculum.
Where is the Pathway Track offered?
The Pathway Track is currently only offered at NYFA’s campus in Los Angeles, but is designed to also serve students looking to complete their certificates or degrees at our New York campus by allowing Pathway coursework completed in Los Angeles to transfer into New York certificate and degree programs. For more information, please contact your admissions counselor or email our Pathway Track Director at [email protected].
Why should you enroll in the Pathway Track?
While the primary goal of NYFA’s Pathway Track is to improve English language skills, there are many benefits to beginning your studies here. The Pathway Track assists students with cultural adjustment and acclimating to student life at NYFA and the surrounding Los Angeles community. Students also experience a smoother transition into the college environment, gain understanding of academic expectations, and receive individualized support.
Many Pathway Track classes integrate field trips to connect class content to the real world. Students also participate in a wide range of NYFA community events, including cultural Lunch & Learns, industry screenings, Q&As, and much more! International students who have begun their studies with the Pathway Track consistently note the confidence they have to academically and socially succeed throughout their time at NYFA.
In the words of one Pathway student:
Taishi Takekoshi BFA ScreenwritingPathway helped me tremendously to adapt to the American lifestyle where everything is different from my country. Since I was new to NYFA, I was feeling anxious about entering the film school in a different country. Professors, faculty members, and offices helped me get through challenges with respect and responsiveness. One of the many things that I enjoyed in Pathway was a field trip to the Academy Museum where I got to see actual props used in my favorite films, along with Oscar interviews and behind-the-scenes exhibits. Pathway created the opportunities to broaden my horizon through several field trips, and that expanded my views on America, which I could not have achieved on my own.
Pathway Track Requirements
All Pathway Track students must apply to one of NYFA’s certificate or degree programs and meet the program-related admissions requirements:
- For One and Two Year Certificate Programs, click here.
- For Associate of Fine Arts program admissions requirements, click here.
- For Bachelor of Fine Arts program admissions requirements, click here.
- For Master of Arts program admissions requirements, click here.
- For Master of Fine Arts program admissions requirements, click here.
NYFA Pathway Track Curriculum
The Pathway Track is composed of several developmental English language classes, with a complement of courses from the Liberal Arts & Sciences. Most students receive degree credits upon successful completion of the LAS equivalent courses, affording them additional time to focus on courses from the major discipline in future semesters.
Pathway Track students must successfully pass all courses with a grade of C or better in order to continue pursuing their degree.
Specifically, the developmental English language classes will address:
- Academic Writing, Reading, and Vocabulary Development
- Academic Listening and Speaking
- Academic Presentations, Speeches, and Creative Pitches
- Academic Culture and Expectations
- Digital Literacy and Portfolio Design
The Pathway Track curriculum provides many opportunities for students to showcase their artistic skill set. Here are some of the dynamic and creative projects that Pathway students have completed:
- Mini-graphic novel
- Podcast episodes
- Storyboarding
- Public Art Proposal and Pitch
- Capstone E-Portfolio
- Short Cultural Documentary
- Quality of Life Map
- Film reviews and analyses
