This professional degree provides an intensive curriculum in a close-knit community of like-minded creatives. In just two years, you will gain the skills and knowledge to thrive in a variety of industries and leave with a specialized portfolio. Come to Manhattan and immerse yourself in a city full of inspiration.
Based on Pratt’s Manhattan Campus, the two-year Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree programs deliver the same number and level of art and design courses as a BFA program in half the time by eliminating gen-ed courses. Ours are the only solely design-focused AOS programs in the United States. Students are immersed in the studio from day one, beginning with foundational art and design courses that set the basis for advanced courses in traditional illustration, digital illustration, painting/drawing, communications design, and more.
Career-Track Degree
Whether you are looking to illustrate children’s books, freelance for print or online publications, work at an agency, or apply your skills to other industries, the AOS Illustration curriculum is specially curated for those who want to gain the expert skills required to become a working illustrator. This program is ideal for those considering a move into illustration, offering advanced courses with a professional focus.
Pratt has deep roots in the New York City art and design worlds, and our second-year AOS students gain invaluable real-world experience and connections through internships. Students have held internships in a range of organizations, from The Painting Center to Marvel Studios.
Learn on State-of-the-Art Tools
You will have access to traditional art and design studios, labs with cutting-edge hardware and software, and print facilities with endless possibilities. Learning resources.
Sign Up For a Tour
Tour Pratt’s Associate Degree Department Manhattan headquarters to get a better feel for the close-knit, professional learning environment. Department Chair Susan Young personally leads every tour. Contact her at aos@pratt.edu to arrange a tour.
Outstanding Faculty Prepare You for the Professional World
As some of New York’s leading art and design experts, our faculty have a deep passion for teaching the next generation of creative professionals. They will prepare you to enter your chosen field with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.
Our program offers an industry-focused degree with an emphasis on professional preparation. As you pursue your degree, you will work with real-world clients under the mentorship of our faculty.
A strong focus on community and collaboration sets Pratt’s Associate Degree Department apart. Here, you join a tight-knit, supportive environment with intentionally small classes and personal attention from our outstanding faculty and staff. You will have access to the full college experience and the option to live on Pratt’s beautiful, tree-lined Brooklyn campus.
Career Resources for Life
Students and alumni can schedule one-on-one appointments in Pratt’s Center for Career and Professional Development. These sessions pair you with a career strategist who can help develop your job/internship search strategies and life and business plans, as well as review résumés, cover letters, websites, and other marketing materials.
Thinking seriously about Pratt? Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
Building your portfolio can be daunting. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel confident about the portfolio you submit with your application. Start building your portfolio, now.
Find yourself at home at Pratt: our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighbors. Check us out.
Join us for a special reception celebrating the life and work of our dear friend and colleague, Federico Savini. Come share stories, reminisce, and celebrate the bright life he lived.
Scan the QR Code to Save the Date!
🕊️ Date: October 27, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
📍 Location: 144 West 14th Street, Room 201, New York, NY, 11001
This reception was made possible thanks to Jorge Oliver, Jane South, Susan Young, Perry Han, Lieh Sugai, Miguel Villalobos, and the Darkroom Monitors.
#PrattInstitute #InLovingMemory
Your creative journey deserves a bold beginning--and Pratt is where it starts ✨
Join us for the Associate Degrees Department Open House on Saturday, October 18th, where you’ll meet faculty, explore programs shaped for today’s creative industries, and get a real feel for how Pratt turns passion into possibility! From design to art and everything in between, this is your chance to see what your future could look. Scan the QR code to RSVP!
📅 Saturday, October 18th
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Pratt Manhattan campus - 144 W 14th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10011
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #informationsession #openhousesaturday #campuslife
Last night, the studio came to life with the first Printmaking Night of the season. Hosted by Professor Deb Caponera, participants explored the bold creativity of Linocut — discovering how to carve into linoleum and inking a striking, textured print. It was an evening of experimentation, exchange, and community!
Missed this one? Don’t worry, Printmaking Night happens every last Thursday of the month. Mark your calendars and join us next time for more creativity, community, and prints in the making!
#printmakingnight #linocutprint #creativecommunity #prattinstitute
📢 The hottest topic just became a class at Pratt.
We’re excited to announce a new and innovative all-institute elective course coming to Pratt this Fall: ASIL-103P AI and Creative Practice! This course is taught by Professor Corinne Wight to foster an open discussion to deepen your understanding of how AI is affecting the creative field. It's a conversation you can't afford to miss!
#prattinstitute #AssociateDegree #aiintheclassroom #FutureOfArt
🎨 Opening Reception - "Light Travels"
Come celebrate the launch of this summer exhibition featuring paintings by recent department graduate, Usman Sadiq!
📅 Saturday, July 12th at 7:30pm
📍 Betty Bakery, 211 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Exhibition curated by Deb Caponera and on view from July 2 - August 13, 2025.
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #AssociateDegree #openingreception #exhibitionopening #emergingartist
🎲 Get ready for a tabletop adventure! ✨
Join us for an exciting showcase of our graduating AOS Game Design students' best tabletop games! We're hosting our first ever showcase, open to the local NYC community!
🔗➡️RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pratt-aos-game-design-showcase-2025-tickets-1405952183829!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 28th from 1pm-4pm
📍 Location: Pratt Manhattan, 3rd Floor, 144 West 14th St, New York, NY, 10011
#prattinstitute #studentsucces #boardgames #tabletopgames #gameshowcase
Posters for a Cause | Every Choice, Every Action
Come shape our future together as we dive into this semester’s Posters for a Cause, curated by Professor Deb Caponera. Join us this Saturday for the opening reception and see how student voices are making a difference — one poster at a time!
📅 Date: Saturday, May 3rd
🕒 Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
📍 Location: Betty Bakery - 211 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn NY, 11215
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #associatesdegree #PostersForACause #postersforacauseatpratt #shapingourfuturetogether #artwithpurpose #DesignMatters #designforchange
🎮 Attention game enthusiasts!! Join us this Saturday for an exclusive playtest featuring works in progress from young and talented game design students! Get a sneak peek at the latest creations, enjoy free lunch, and be part of the gaming community.
📍 Location: 144 W 14th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10011
⏰ Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
📅 Date: Saturday, April 12th
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! 👾 Open to ages 16+ (under 18 with parent or guardian).
#prattinstitute #pratt #studentsuccess #playtest #gamingcommunity
A new solo exhibition, "Springtime", featuring the paintings of AOS Graphic Design student Satchel McLaughlin is coming to Betty Bakery in Brooklyn. Join us tomorrow, April 5th at 7:30pm for the opening reception!
📍 Betty Bakery, 211 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Springtime Exhibition open from April 5th to April 26th.
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #exhibition #openingreception
The AOS program is a professional degree designed for high school graduates and adults with or without previous college experience. This is an intensive, two-year, all art-and-design-based curriculum, offering a strong foundation in design along with capstone courses, internship opportunities, and a professional portfolio upon graduation. The program attracts highly motivated students who, upon completing their studies, move quickly into the fields of graphic design, advertising, illustration, web design, game design, package design, and publishing, as well as an array of interactive media fields.