Admissions

International Students

A blonde student in a white shirt smiles and talks to another student looking down at a piece of paper.

International students play a vital role in our vibrant community, with students from 27 countries calling MassArt their home.

We’re thrilled you’re interested in attending MassArt for your degree program! Ready to apply to MassArt? Here’s an overview of how the process works for international students.

You are an international student if you are not currently a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Which type of applicant am I?

You may apply to MassArt as either a first time undergraduate student, transfer student, or graduate student, depending on your level of education.

You’re a first time undergraduate if:

You’re still in high school (even if you completed dual-enrollment credits), or You graduated from high school or earned your GED, and didn't enroll in college-level coursework.

First Time Undergraduate

You’re a transfer applicant if:

You enrolled in university coursework (after your high school graduation).

Transfer Student

You're a graduate student if:

You have completed (or about to complete) a 4 year Bachelor’s degree program.

Graduate Student

All admissions application requirements are the same for international and domestic students, with the exception of the additional requirements below.

Application Requirements Expand all

Massachusetts College of Art and Design requires official translations and course-by-course evaluations of transcripts or records from outside the U.S. These evaluations can take up to six weeks to complete, so please begin this process early.

Evaluations must be arranged through NACES or AICE approved member, or provider listed below:

Evaluated transcripts must include:

Name of the educational institution
Country where it is located
Length of study and its U.S. equivalent
Courses studied by year
A conversion of grades and/or examinations to the U.S. grade equivalents of A, B, C, D and F on a 4-point scale
Total credits earned and conversion of course hours to U.S. semester hours
U.S. degree equivalent

550	Paper-based test score Internet-based composite test score (iBT) and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition:
21	Reading
19	Listening
23	Speaking
22	Writing
85	Overall total
	TOEFL Essentials test score:
9	Reading
8	Listening
9	Speaking
9	Writing
9	Overall Total

MassArt can generally waive English Language Proficiency Exams for:

Students currently studying in the U.S. for all 4 years of their high school education.
Students who have earned a 3.0/B or better in two consecutive semesters of college-level (non ESL) English courses at a U.S. college or university.
Students who have completed a 4 year Bachelor’s program, in good standing, at a school where English is the primary language of instruction.

Questions about exemptions should be sent to admissions@massart.edu.

Once international students are formally admitted to MassArt, they are required to submit information in order to apply for F-1 student visa status.

Visa Deadlines

Enrollment Deadline (MArch Summer): March 15
Enrollment Deadline (Summer): April 1
Enrollment Deadline (Fall): May 1

MassArt starts processing I-20’s upon receipt of the enrollment deposit and all required visa documents. Allow ample time to fulfill legal requirements associated with obtaining a visa. The sooner you complete this process, the sooner your I-20 will be issued.

Receipt of enrollment deposit and all required visa documents
3-4 weeks: I-20 document issued by MassArt in approximately 3-4 weeks
5-6 weeks: Scheduling your visa appointment can take 5-6 weeks
30 days: Students can arrive in the US 30 days prior to the start of classes

*Please note that MFA Low-Residency students must pay a new SEVIS fee each time you enter the US.