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Brown-RISD Dual Degree

The campuses of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design are literally next door to each other on College Hill in Providence. Students from both schools have long been able to cross-register for classes, receiving full credit from their home institution for courses taken at the other. Now a new cross-institutional program is underway, one that allows talented students to complete a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) from Brown and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree from RISD over a five-year period.

To earn the dual degree, students must apply to both schools, be accepted to both schools, and then complete the degree requirements for both schools. Once admitted to the program, students have full access to Brown’s excellent programs in the physical and biological sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, while also partaking of RISD’s world-class programs in fine arts, visual media, and design.

Because of the program's strict requirements, only students applying as first-year students are eligible for the Brown/RISD program. Approximately 15 students matriculate in the program each year. For more information, including degree options and course requirements, click on the link at right. Brown students who simply wish to enroll in a single course at RISD are still allowed to do so. It is always wise to check with RISD instructors in advance of the semester to find out about the availability of space.