Admission Requirements

What are the basics of graduate program admissibility?

Master of Design

Prospective MDes students should hold a four-year Bachelor's degree (typically a Bachelor's of Design degree) from a recognized academic institution. Applicants who have strong academic records but have completed university degree programs other than a four-year BDes (for example, a four-year BA) are encouraged to apply. Applicants must provide evidence of work related to the intended area of study. It should be representative of a level of development equivalent to advanced undergraduate study in a university program. Completion of senior-level coursework in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture also is required. A qualifying year of study prior to formal entry into the graduate program is possible for applicants who may need to supplement their undergraduate preparation or for those who have a three-year degree.

Master of Fine Arts

Prospective MFA students should hold a four-year Bachelor's degree (typically a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree) from a recognized academic institution. Applicants who have strong academic records but have completed university degree programs other than a four-year BFA (for example, a four-year BA) are encouraged to apply. Applicants must provide evidence of work related to the intended area of study. It should be representative of a level of development equivalent to advanced undergraduate study in a university program. Completion of senior-level coursework in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture also is required. A qualifying year of study prior to formal entry into the graduate program is possible for applicants who may need to supplement their undergraduate preparation or for those who have a three-year degree.

Master of Arts in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture

Prospective MA students in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture program typically have a bachelor's degree in art history, the history of design or visual culture, or a related discipline from a recognized academic institution. A qualifying term or year of study prior to formal entry into the graduate program is possible for applicants who may need to supplement their undergraduate preparation.

Doctor of Philosophy in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture

Prospective Ph.D. students in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture program typically will hold a Master's degree in art history, the history of design or visual culture, or a related discipline from a recognized academic institution. A qualifying term or year of study prior to formal entry into the doctoral program is possible for applicants who may need to supplement their Master's preparation.

Is there a degree in Research-Creation?

The Department of Art & Design offers a degree in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture that can include research-creation methods and outputs. Research-creation applicants must have a strong commitment to history and theory, in addition to practice. Students interested in pursuing a research-creation option as a part of their MA or PhD in the History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture you must present a research proposal grounded (at least in part) in the methods and outcomes relevant to art history, theory, and criticism.

Prospective students interested in either studio-based PhD projects or design practice PhD projects may choose to apply for an Individualized Interdisciplinary PhD through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Please contact the professor in Fine Arts, Design Studies, or the Artistic Research/Research-Creation signature area best suited to your project to discuss practice-based or practice-led dissertation possibilities.