How to Apply

Submit a one-to-two page statement describing your reasons for applying to this graduate program at MassArt, and the planned direction of your future work. Note any recent developments that support your decision to apply.

Submit a current résumé or CV that includes your professional and academic accomplishments including exhibitions and awards, as well as professional or other activities that convey a sense of your commitment to a life in the arts.

Submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

College and post-secondary school transcripts must be official and must include your most recent grades. Transcripts can be sent in one of two ways:

• Directly to MassArt in an envelope stamped and sealed by a college registrar
• Electronically through the college’s transcript service/platform (ie: Parchment, Student Clearinghouse)

MassArt Transcripts

For MassArt students and alumni: an automatic email will be sent to registrar@massart.edu requesting your official MassArt transcripts. There is no fee for this service.

Please verify your transcripts are marked as “received” on your checklist within two weeks of submitting your application.

We do not require any additional transcripts submitted as part of your application.

International Transcripts

• Transcripts must be translated into English
• Applicants need to supply approved evaluation of transcripts to apply

Learn about Official Transcripts for International Students & additional requirements.

Submit two letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your academic, artistic, professional, or teaching potential.

References should be familiar with your art/design work, your academics and/or your professional work ethic. When possible, at least one reference should be from a teacher with whom you have studied.*

*Current MassArt Art Education BFA students applying to the Master of Arts (BFA/MA 4+1 program), and current MassArt Architecture BFA students applying to the Master of Architecture program do not need letters of recommendation.

Students whose native language is not English

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

International applicants should review the International Student section for more information.

Portfolio requirements vary by program. Review your program’s portfolio guidelines before submitting.

Some applicants may be invited to interview with faculty as part of the admissions review process. Interviews are typically about 20 minutes, and held remotely via Zoom.

In addition to the general application requirements, M.Arch applicants must also submit a portfolio.

If seeking advanced placement, please see the advanced placement requirements below.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

Please submit your portfolio as 1 PDF. This should consist of about 15-40 pages and can include: 5-10 project briefs, 20-25 images of recent work, or a combination of the two.

• The Admissions Committee is looking for creative, conceptual and technical skills that demonstrate your desire and ability to grow.
• Cross-disciplinary work that relates to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged

Limited or no prior Architecture experience?

Submit the following alternatives in your portfolio:

• Fine art and design work
• InDesign pieces
• Sketches/prototypes of buildings, environments, or furniture 
• Any social or community-based building projects that you’ve participated in

Advanced Placement Requirements

Applicants seeking Advanced Placement in Track I or placement in Track II, are required to submit course descriptions and syllabi to document equivalencies for the Track I pre-professional courses. Current MassArt BFA Architecture majors are not required to submit advanced placement materials.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions refer to detailed written summaries that provide information about the content, structure, objectives, and requirements of an academic course. These descriptions are typically found in educational institution catalogs, websites, or course syllabi.

Syllabi

Syllabi are instructional documents offering a comprehensive overview of an academic course. They include vital details like the course title, instructor’s information, class schedule, learning objectives, required readings, grading criteria, assignments, and any additional policies or expectations from the instructor or institution.

Advanced Placement Policy and Evaluation Process

MassArt’s M.Arch Program Director, in collaboration with the Office of Admissions, Departmental Faculty and the Graduate Dean, evaluates all M.Arch applicants for placement into Track I (pre-professional and professional coursework) and Track II (professional coursework), and for advanced placement in Track I or for transfer credit in either program. This evaluation includes review of portfolios, college-level transcripts and documentation of prior architecture coursework or experience.

Letter of Recommendation Waiver

Current MassArt Architecture majors applying to the Master of Architecture program do not need letters of recommendation.

MassArt BFA students not majoring in Art Education may apply to an expedited Master’s program for PK-12 visual art teacher license endorsements.

Students completing the BFA program in December should apply by September 15 and those completing in May should apply by the Priority Deadline.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

Our BFA Art Education students may apply for an expedited Master’s program at the beginning of their last semester.

Students completing the BFA program in December should apply by September 15 and those completing in May should apply by the Priority Deadline.

Letters of Recommendation Waiver

Current Art Education BFA students at MassArt applying to the Master of Arts (BFA/MA 4+1 program) do not need letters of recommendation.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

MassArt Transcripts

MassArt BFA students not majoring in Art Education may apply to an expedited Master’s program for PK-12 visual art teacher license endorsements.

Students completing the BFA program in December should apply by September 15 and those completing in May should apply by the Priority Deadline.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

MassArt Transcripts

MassArt students: An automatic email will be sent to registrar@massart.edu requesting your official MassArt transcripts. There is no fee for this service.

In addition to the general application requirements, MDes applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• Please submit your portfolio as 1 PDF. This should consist of about 15-40 pages and can include: 5-10 project briefs, 20-25 images of recent work, or a combination of the two.
• We encourage applications from many backgrounds, and successful portfolios typically take shape as:

Design & Arts Candidates

Share stories and images of what you’ve made. Describe the brief, your role, and the outcomes. Demonstrate your design/innovation method and highlight key insights or inspirations that shaped your work.

Design Research Candidates

Share stories about uncovering insights that drive bold work. Describe the research questions posed, the learning methods, and your role in the process. Demonstrate your ability to learn from end users, your collaboration with other disciplines, and the use of storytelling to drive impact.

Business or Engineer Candidates

Share stories about shaping work, organizations, or offerings that leverage the power of design methods. Describe the context, your role, and the space made for creative solutions and/or human insight to move the outcomes in meaningful ways. Demonstrate your familiarity with design methods and disciplines in pursuit of innovative outcomes.

Advice for all candidates

For some applicants portfolios will be commonplace and for others this may be the first time you create a portfolio. A successful portfolio might center around one larger story or multiple shorter stories. All applicants are encouraged toward visual storytelling and imagery. While the goal of the program is to help you become a master of design innovation, your application portfolio might focus on method and your awareness of opportunities for innovation through design. It is okay if you haven’t dramatically changed the world yet.

In addition to the general application requirements, MFA Dynamic Media Institute applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• Please submit your portfolio as 1 PDF or individual images/videos. 
• PDF portfolios should consist of about 15-40 pages and can include: 5-10 project briefs, 20-25 images of recent work, or a combination of the two.
• The Admissions Committee is looking for creative, conceptual and technical skills that demonstrate your desire and ability to grow.
• Cross-disciplinary work that relates to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged

In addition to the general application requirements, MFA Film/video applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Please also see the History of Art requirement below.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• Include at least 3-5 time-based pieces, totaling no more than 30 minutes of viewing
• Images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Portfolios with limited/no time-based work should consist of 20-25 images of recent work (see Art Education and MFA Programs, above)

History of Art

• While not a requirement to apply, applicants to the MFA: Studio Arts, MFA: Photography, and MFA: Film/Video programs should have art history and contemporary art knowledge, demonstrable in various ways.
• Those with limited expertise may need up to 6 extra credits in approved art history courses (2) during or before the MFA program, based on individual assessments using transcripts, statements of purpose, professional experience, and demonstrated knowledge.

In addition to the general application requirements, MFA Low Residency applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

In addition to the general application requirements, MFA Photography applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Please also see the History of Art requirement below.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

History of Art

• While not a requirement to apply, applicants to the MFA: Studio Arts, MFA: Photography, and MFA: Film/Video programs should have art history and contemporary art knowledge, demonstrable in various ways.
• Those with limited expertise may need up to 6 extra credits in approved art history courses (2) during or before the MFA program, based on individual assessments using transcripts, statements of purpose, professional experience, and demonstrated knowledge.

In addition to the general application requirements, MFA Studio Arts applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Please also see the History of Art requirement below.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

History of Art

• While not a requirement to apply, applicants to the MFA: Studio Arts, MFA: Photography, and MFA: Film/Video programs should have art history and contemporary art knowledge, demonstrable in various ways.
• Those with limited expertise may need up to 6 extra credits in approved art history courses (2) during or before the MFA program, based on individual assessments using transcripts, statements of purpose, professional experience, and demonstrated knowledge.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

In addition to the general application requirements, postbaccalaureate applicants must also submit a portfolio.

• Please submit your portfolio as 1 PDF or individual images/videos. 
• PDF portfolios should consist of about 15-40 pages and can include: 5-10 project briefs, 20-25 images of recent work, or a combination of the two.
• The Admissions Committee is looking for creative, conceptual and technical skills that demonstrate your desire and ability to grow.
• Cross-disciplinary work that relates to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

In addition to the general application requirements, postbaccalaureate applicants must also submit a portfolio.

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.

In addition to the general application requirements, TPP applicants must also submit a portfolio.

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

• 20-25 images of recent work
• Submit work as individual images/videos
• Book format is discouraged as it detracts from the artwork; crop in on the artwork itself
• Add details within the application  uploader (title, medium, dimensions, date, and description)
• Cross-disciplinary work related to your personal vision and artistic trajectory is encouraged
• Time-based media: If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Consider including any images of installation, site-specific projections, and/or stills as appropriate.
• Student work: Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work. Be sure to indicate this in the description area, and provide a brief description of the assignment.