Skip to main content.
Bard
  • Bard College Logo
  • Academics sub-menuAcademics
    • Programs and Divisions
    • Structure of the Curriculum
    • Courses
    • Requirements
    • Academic Calendar
    • College Catalogue
    • Faculty
    • Bard Abroad
    • Libraries
    • Dual-Degree Programs
    • Bard Conservatory of Music
    • Other Study Opportunities
    • Graduate Programs
    • Early Colleges
  • Admission sub-menuAdmission
    • Applying
    • Financial Aid
    • Tuition + Payment
    • Campus Tours
    • Meet Our Students + Alumni/ae
    • For Families / Familias
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Life sub-menuCampus Life
    Living on Campus:
    • Housing + Dining
    • Campus Services + Resources
    • Campus Activities
    • New Students
    • Visiting + Transportation
    • Athletics + Recreation
    • Montgomery Place Campus
  • Civic Engagement sub-menuCivic Engagement
    Bard CCE
    • Engaged Learning
    • Student Leadership
    • Grow Your Network
    • About CCE
    • Our Partners
    • Get Involved
  • Newsroom sub-menuNews + Events
    • Newsroom
    • Events Calendar
    • Press Releases
    • Office of Communications
    • Commencement Weekend
    • Alumni/ae Reunion
    • Fisher Center + SummerScape
    • Athletic Events
  • About Bard sub-menuAbout
      About Bard:
    • Bard History
    • Campus Tours
    • Mission Statement
    • Love of Learning
    • Visiting Bard
    • Employment
    • Support Bard
    • Open Society University Network
    • Bard Abroad
    • The Bard Network
    • Inclusive Excellence
    • Sustainability
    • Title IX and Nondiscrimination
    • Inside Bard
    • Dean of the College
  • Giving
  • Search
Bard Commencement Weekend, May 23–25, 2025
Information For:
  • Faculty + Staff
  • Alumni/ae
  • Families
  • Students

Giving to Bard
Quick Links
  • Apply to Bard
  • Employment
  • Travel to Bard
  • Bard Campus Map

Join the Conversation
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Read about us on Threads
Bluesky
Watch us on You Tube
Bard NYC
A group of people sit in a park, smiling for the camera.

Summer Programs

Bard NYC Menu
  • Academics sub-menuAcademics
    • Undergraduate Semester Program
    • Undergraduate Summer Programs
    • BGIA Certificate
    • MA in Global Studies
  • Internships
  • Community sub-menuCommunity
    • Student Life
    • Faculty + Staff
  • New York City
  • Admission
  • News + Events
  • Home
  • Apply sub-menuApply Now

    • Semester Program
    • Summer Program
    • MA Program
Bard NYC summer programs invite students to spend eight weeks during the summer developing their professional networks and gaining a deeper understanding of career pathways related to their studies. The Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to spend the summer term gaining hands-on professional experience in the field of their choice. Industry-specific programs invite students to tap into some of New York City’s diverse professional life through job shadowing and field trip opportunities across the city. Each summer program yields 6 Bard College credits and is open to all students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study.

Apply to Summer Programs

Summer 2025 Programs
 

Summer 2025 Programs
 

Perspectives on Organizations and Management: Organizations are a ubiquitous feature of contemporary life. From hospitals and schools, to workplaces and  local government, to museums and publishing houses, organizations have a hand in shaping nearly all  aspects of the human experience. This interdisciplinary course offers a critical exploration of organizations  and how they affect and shape society. How are organizations shaped by their environments, including  power, culture, politics and money? How do the human dynamics inside of organizations affect  organizational processes and outcomes? How do organizations contribute to the construction of  knowledge about their subjects and areas of focus? To complete the course, students learn about project  management, and design a project based on their interests for the final assignment. 

Ethical Leadership: This course provides a critical examination of the relationship between ethics and leadership, an overview  of the choices leaders face when tackling ethical dilemmas, and an account of responsible and sound  leadership for a world teem with challenges such as the advent of artificial intelligence, climate change, and  the assault on human rights. Students engage in a selective introduction to ethics, gaining a deeper  understanding of important ethical issues and some of the most crucial considerations behind our ethical  thought processes and decision-making. In addition to standard ethical theories such as consequentialism,  deontology and virtue ethics, we look at moral psychology, focusing on the relationship between the  intentions, motivation and actions of leaders. Students also explore ethical dilemmas found in thought  experiments such as trolley cases, the overcrowded lifeboat and Singer’s Drowning Child. We expand the  discussion and examine case studies in the workplace such as employee rights (privacy, whistleblowing),  governance and accountability (ethical guidelines for leaders, bailouts and bonuses) and the consumer  (consumer protection, marketing practices and discrimination). The focus here is both the merit of the  ethical concerns fraught in these difficult situations and the role of leaders in navigating them. Finally, we  examine the ways leaders navigate their responsibility to their organization and society while facing an  uncertain environment and a variety of global challenges. 

Knowing New York: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Gatham’s Past, Present and Future: This course offers an in-depth exploration of New York City as a dynamic and ever-evolving urban  landscape, blending insights from history, sociology, economics, urban studies, and environmental science.  By examining NYC’s past, present, and future, students will uncover how the city has been shaped by forces  such as immigration, labor movements, public policy, cultural innovation, and economic transformation.  Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course investigates how historical legacies continue to influence  contemporary challenges and future possibilities. Key topics include the development of NYC’s  neighborhoods, the ethics of gentrification, the environmental and social implications of urban planning,  and the role of public spaces in fostering community and civic engagement. Students will engage with case  studies, such as the transformation of Times Square, the development of Central Park, and efforts to  combat climate change through initiatives like the Green New Deal for NYC. Co-curricular activities will  include site visits to locations such as the Municipal Archives and the Brooklyn Bridge, alongside  discussions with community leaders and urban planners. 

New York Fashion: Introduction to American Fashion History and the Contemporary Industry: This course is an 8-week introduction to the history of American fashion, fashion studies, critical discourses  and contemporary professional pathways of the American fashion industry based in its historical center,  New York City. The course begins with a survey of the legacy of American design, labor history, the Garment  Center, and the global fashion industrial complex developed throughout the twentieth century. Students  will learn about the ways fashion, material culture and fashion studies are scholarly fields that consider  fashion and clothing as central to cultural production and identity. Visits to fashion themed exhibitions,  fashion and textile archives and study collections will expose students to the ways fashion materials and  objects are collected, preserved, incorporated into museum exhibitions and used in academic study. The  second half of the course will introduce students to the contemporary fashion industry through lectures and  class visits focused on professional pathways and sectors within the industry today such as design,  communications, forecasting, research and more. Lectures and interactions with professionals currently  working in the industry will include current critical discourses about the fashion industry such as  sustainability and the environment, labor equity, social justice, diversity and inclusion and more. 

Sustainable Fashion: What does sustainability in fashion mean and why does it matter? Each week, one class will involve a lecture  and class discussion, the other will be a hands-on lab, or a field trip to a business working in sustainable  fashion. Students explore the urgent need for sustainable fashion in an industry that generates billions of  tons of waste every year. With over 21 billion kilos of clothing ending up in landfills annually in the U.S.  alone, the future of fashion hinges on smart, eco-conscious choices. Students learn how design strategy,  production techniques, and sourcing materials can align with sustainability goals, all while addressing the  critical issues of textile waste, recycling, and circularity. Focusing on practical approaches like eco-friendly  materials, zero-waste techniques, and circular design principles, this course offers actionable insights to  help students lead the charge toward a radically sustainable fashion industry. Students also dive into the  importance of transparency and traceability in building a more ethical and responsible supply chain,  preparing you to drive change in a sector that is creative and essential for our planet’s future. 

Women and Leadership: New York City has been the epicenter of women’s activism since the mid 19th Century. From the original  Suffragette movement to the present-day activists in politics, law, the arts, music and culture – women have  found NYC to be a highly visible platform to exercise their viewpoints and shape society. Historical context  creates the platform for this class, with a brief overview of feminist leadership and its foundations in New  York City. However, unlike a basic gender studies curriculum, this class goes on to examine women’s  leadership in various professions, utilizing the rich resources and locations of the city to bring the topic to  life. The course also explains traditional leadership training and techniques which are taught in business  programs around the country. Class lectures and readings are combined with site visits to help students  experience the history of the city and introduce them to past and current leaders who are advancing  women’s issues in every profession.
Leadership for Change Program
Bard NYC’s summer Leadership for Change program is tailored for undergraduate students, with a specific emphasis on how leaders positively impact society and organizations, and offers a transformative experience designed to empower and inspire. This eight-week program combines hands-on learning opportunities with rigorous academic coursework, aimed at developing essential leadership skills such as communication, critical thinking, effective decision-making, and strategic vision. Using NYC as a learning resource, participants engage in discussions led by prominent local and industry leaders, gaining valuable insights into overcoming challenges and leveraging strengths in leadership roles. In addition, the program incorporates a career exploration component where students receive guidance from career professional and experienced leaders, fostering personal growth and professional development. Through a collaborative project with other participants, students learn to navigate complexities in leadership, build confidence in decision-making, and understand the dynamics of teamwork. By fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives, the program aims to equip college students with the skills and confidence necessary to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields and society in general.

The programs is built around three elements: 

Coursework: students take a 3-credit mandatory course on Ethical Leadership and choose one additional 3-credit course: 
  • Women and Leadership;
  • Basics of Project Management.
Practical Experience: Students engage with local and industry leaders through a series of on-site workshops, obtaining a deeper understanding of the challenges leaders face and the skills they need to be able to effect positive change in business and government. In addition, groups of students collaborate on a project aimed at applying their critical thinking in specific circumstances, selecting the appropriate communication methods to interface with internal and external stakeholders, and employing their strategic vision in designing innovative solutions.  

Career exploration workshops: Utilizing different coaching methods, students will be able to explore their values, identify areas of improvement, and work towards building a comprehensive portfolio of soft skills like dependability, empathy, and effective communication.
NYC Fashion
Bard NYC’s summer fashion program is designed for undergraduate students and offers an immersive and enriching experience that blends creativity, societal awareness, and industry insights. In addition to providing an overview of the fashion industry and its history, this eight-week program allows students to understand the socioeconomic assumptions underpinning the fashion industry and its impact on society. Students have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and faculty who bring a wealth of knowledge from diverse areas within the fashion world. Central to the program are job shadowing opportunities, where students observe professionals in their daily roles, gaining first hand insights into the industry. Additionally, field trips to various sites in NYC, one of the fashion capitals of the world, offer first hand exposure to the inner workings of the fashion business and valuable networking opportunities. By the end of the program, students not only acquire deeper industry knowledge but also develop a deeper appreciation for the cultural and social dimensions of fashion.

The programs is built around three elements: 

Coursework: students enroll in two 3-credit courses:
  • History of Fashion in NYC;
  • Fashion, Culture, and Society
Practical Experience: Students engage with leaders in the fashion industry through a series of on-site workshops, obtaining a deeper understanding of current issues in fashion and the importance of socioeconomic considerations in formulating successful business models. In addition, students are offered job shadowing opportunities, observing professionals in their daily roles with the aim of enhancing student understanding of the complexities of the fashion world and finding creative solutions in challenging circumstances.  

Career exploration workshops: Utilizing different coaching methods, students will be able to explore their values, identify areas of improvement, and work towards building a comprehensive portfolio of soft skills like dependability, empathy, and effective communication.
Summer Internship Program
Bard NYC’s summer internship program is structured to immerse students in real-world professional environments related to their field of study, providing hands-on experience and exposure to industry practices. While students experience what it means to work in their selected field, they also take courses that help them navigate theory and practice and participate in career exploration workshops. Students enroll in a mandatory core seminar on the Future of Work and an elective course in their field. The Core Seminar presents an opportunity for students to negotiate their expectations and the reality of working in their selected field, reflect on their work experience, and share their thoughts with peers. Using experiential learning methods, instructors help students get a deeper understanding of what work entails and what skills are needed to succeed.

The programs is built around three elements: 

Coursework: Students enroll in the required core seminar and choose an additional 3-credit course from among summer course offerings. Summer course offerings will be posted at the start of the spring 2025 semester. 

Practical Experience: Just like the semester program, students in the summer internship program intern for 15–20 hours per week at professional organizations across a variety of industries throughout New York City. Students work closely with mentors at their host organization gaining exposure to the day-to-day operations of the organization, while building skills like communication, time management, and critical thinking. Our summer internships offer a valuable opportunity for students to explore a career path, clarify their career goals, and build a competitive edge in the job market. 

Career exploration workshops: Summer career workshops complement on-the-job learning, equipping students with essential skills for their future job search including resume and cover letter writing, building a LinkedIn profile, and navigating the job market.
See our Admissions page for summer program dates/requirements.
A group of people smile for the camera in front of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Photo by Tamás Farbaky

Summer in NYC

With targeted extra-curricular programming, our summer programs allow students to participate in and explore the rich and diverse summer cultural life of NYC. From film festivals and outdoor concerts, to museums and excursions across the city, students get to learn first-hand what makes NYC one of the most exciting places in the world.

See our NYC page for more information about living in New York City.
Bard NYC Logo
292 N 8th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
929-594-2294
[email protected]
Link to Instagram @bardcollege
Bard Logo
30 Campus Road
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
845-758-6822
www.bard.edu
Bard Abroad Logo
bard.edu/bardabroad