Along with The New School for Social Research, Columbia University (including Teachers College), CUNY Graduate Center, Fordham University, New York University, Princeton University, Rutgers University at New Brunswick, and Stony Brook University form a graduate-level consortium in the arts and sciences. Students in approved doctoral programs at these institutions have the opportunity to take courses at any other participating institution after securing the approval of four persons: the student's academic advisor and home school dean (or designate), the course instructor, and the host dean (or designate). Students must be in a doctoral track and the courses may not be identical to courses offered at the home institution. At The New School for Social Research, the Office of Academic Affairs and Scholarships serves as the dean's office for consortial arrangement purposes. MA students wishing to enroll in consortium courses must receive prior approval from the director of Academic Affairs. First-year MA students are not allowed to participate.