Best of Both Worlds: Navigating NYU’s Stern–Tisch BS/BFA Dual Degree (2024)

If you’re passionate about film and television and intrigued by the business side of these industries, the NYU Stern–Tisch BS in Business and BFA in Film and TV program might be for you. This five-year, STEM-certified dual degree combines two exciting fields. Over 10 semesters, you’ll earn a Bachelor of Science in Business from Stern and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television from Tisch.

Imagine joining a program that merges rigorous academic standards with extensive resources. You’ll have access to everything the NYU Stern Undergraduate College and the NYU Tisch Kanbar Institute of Film & Television offer. You’ll gain skills in both creativity and business, getting the best of both worlds. What’s more, you’ll receive personalized advice and unique networking opportunities in the media and entertainment industries. I applied to the dual degree because I want to become a film and theatre producer in the future!

As an applicant, you’ll need to show off your creative flair and your knack for analysis and numbers. The program’s aim is clear: to shape you into a future artist, entrepreneur, or industry leader. Once you graduate with your BS/BFA, you’ll be brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and have a rare combination of business and creative skills. This unique mix makes you perfect for starting your own venture or working for the top entertainment firms. You’ll be all set to dive into a variety of creative and entrepreneurial roles in the entertainment world.

The Stern–Tisch BS/BFA program is only open to first- or second-year students enrolled in Business at Stern or Film and Television at Tisch. Not in these programs? High school students and other NYU students can’t apply directly. But, if you’re in high school and are interested in this dual degree, you can start by applying to Business or Film and Television. Then, once you’re at NYU, you can talk to your adviser about your next steps for the BS/BFA degree.

Applying can seem a bit intense. You need to use the Dual-Degree SlideRoom portal. You have to showcase your creative talents in film and TV through a portfolio. And don’t forget your résumé and coursework. They should highlight your number-crunching skills and business interests. If you don’t make it on your first try, don’t lose heart. You can apply twice in your sophom*ore year, but not after that. I’ve had friends succeed on their second try. Persistence pays off!

You need a few things for your application: a professional résumé, a personal statement, and your NYU transcript.

For the Stern hopefuls coming from Tisch, your artistic side needs to shine. You need a four-part creative portfolio. This includes a one- or two-minute “Tell Us About Yourselfie” video, a story inspired by visual and audio prompts, a short story inspired from a prompt, and a creative submission, such as a five-minute film or an artistic portfolio.

My selfie video introduces my childhood in the northwest of China and how I became interested in art. My short film, “When I Wake Up,” is about the criticism of the exploitation of employees by capitalists.

And if you’re a Film and Television major aiming for Stern, the application is all about numbers. You need to submit quantitative standardized test scores or show you’ve tackled quantitative courses at NYU. Think SAT, ACT, IB, AP, or specific math courses. Or take NYU courses like Calculus I or Financial Accounting and Analysis to prove your quantitative prowess.

Mark mid-February on your calendar. That’s when applications are due. It’s true that the program only admits a few students each year, but the competition isn’t as fierce as you might think. The workload and specific eligibility narrow down the applicant pool. I almost didn’t finish my application, fearing the odds. But I’m glad I did!

Once you’re admitted, the world’s your oyster. The program lets you explore, study away, dive into various business concentrations, and even choose cross-school minors. For example, I spent two semesters at NYU Shanghai, focusing on my business credits. I am concentrating my Business degree in marketing and computing and data science at Stern. I also minored in Producing at Tisch.

For more details about the BS/BFA dual degree, you can attend an information session. The program hosts them each fall, and they are a great resource. Questions about admissions or portfolios? Email [emailprotected] at Tisch. For curriculum queries, you can email Stern professor Paul Hardart ([emailprotected]) or Tisch professor Joe Pichirallo ([emailprotected]).

At NYU, you, as a student from any department, have the option to pick a second major in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) using your elective units. This offers a wide range of choices, including majors like Computer Science, Comparative Literature, and Philosophy. The best part? There’s no separate application needed for this second major. Plus, you can complete the double major within the usual four academic years, so there is no extra tuition cost.

But you can’t double major in any other schools without applying. So, if you’re set on majors outside of CAS, such as the Tandon School of Engineering or the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, you need to apply directly as a high school student or either internally or externally transfer before your junior year in college.

That’s where NYU’s special dual-degree programs come into play. It allows you to be a student in a second school without leaving your current one. But, keep in mind, this requires a fifth academic year to meet both schools’ requirements, which adds up to 160 credits. So you should be prepared for an extra year’s tuition and fees.

Once you’re admitted to the program, get ready to tackle all the required courses from both Stern and Tisch. But here’s the exciting part: you have the freedom to choose any business or film class that interests you!

For your reference, check out the full BS/BFA Curriculum (Entering from Film and Televison) and BS/BFA (Entering from Stern) worksheets.

Balancing your schedule is key, as film and business courses are on completely different time tracks. Take Tisch production classes, for instance, like Sight and Sound: Filmmaking and Intermediate/Advanced Narrative workshops. They’re demanding. You’re not just shooting your own short films but also helping your classmates with their projects. These classes usually run for two full days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., totaling 16 hours a week for a six-credit course. They also occupy your whole weekends, from Friday to Sunday. You are required to be on set for your and your classmates’ productions.

On the other side, Stern’s classes involve two midterms, a final exam, and regular weekly assignments and quizzes. It’s crucial to avoid pairing up these intense Stern classes with your film production courses in the same semester. For example, if you’re tackling demanding Stern subjects like finance or coding, opt for lighter film classes like craft courses. Balancing your workload this way will help make your academic journey smoother.

Tong Zhao is studying towards a dual degree in Film and Television and Business at Tisch School of the Arts with a minor in Producing and at Stern School of Business with concentrations in Marketing and Computing And Data Science. She became the Class of 2025 due to one extra year from the dual degree after entering the Class of 2024. She is from Lanzhou, China, and had one year’s study away experience at NYU Shanghai. She is a passionate fan of theatre, film, Taylor Swift, and K-pop. Her career goal is to become a film and theatre producer in the future.