History

The NewSchool of Architecture and Design Story

In 1980, the late Richard Welsh founded NewSchool of Architecture in a small industrial building in Chula Vista, Calif. Welsh had a vision: a superb professional education program that culminated with the Bachelor of Architecture degree.

Change and growth came quickly. In 1988, NewSchool of Architecture relocated to central downtown San Diego and, in 1989, Bislin Education Corp. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Futures in Education, Inc.) purchased the school. Soon after, more degree programs were added: the Associate of Arts, the Master of Architecture and the Master of Science in Architecture. In 2001, ForeFront Education, Inc., acquired the school and changed its name to NewSchool of Architecture and Design.

From its earliest days, NSAD developed an evening class structure to accommodate a large number of working students. In 1991, the year NSAD was institutionally accredited, students became eligible for federal financial aid programs. There became less fiscal need for evening classes—but by this time a tradition had been established. Many mid-career professionals interested in changing vocations were attracted to the program’s afternoon and evening schedules, which remain a top draw today.

In July 2008, NSAD was acquired by Laureate Education, Inc., a global network of 45 accredited campus-based and online universities offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than half a million students around the world. NSAD’s highly regarded architecture and design programs complement Laureate’s global network of higher education institutions.