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International Students

International Grad Students

MassArt welcomes applications from international students seeking a world-class graduate education.

International students are an important part of MassArt's diverse population, enhancing the college's cultural and artistic community. International students are eligible only for full-time degree-program admission. International applicants must meet the graduate application requirements as well as the additional requirements specific to international applicants, outlined below.

International students are defined as any applicants who are not currently a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States. International Students are eligible for scholarships and graduate/teaching assistantships. Third-party loans may also be available. International students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, including Stafford or PLUS loans.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

International students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. MassArt does not offer an intensive English language program; students are expected to be proficient in English before applying for admission.

To demonstrate English proficiency an official copy of one of the following English proficiency exam scores is required:

TOEFL (MINIMUM SCORES)
213 Computer-based test score
550 Paper-based test score
Internet-based composite test score (iBT):
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

Please see their website for information on taking the TOEFL. MassArt's code for the TOEFL is 3516.
*Please Note that TOEFL scores are only valid for 2 years from the date of examination

IELTS

For applicants taking the IELTS test, a score of 6.0 is required.

DUOLINGO ENGLISH TEST

For applicants taking the DuoLingo English Test, a minimum score of 54 is required for tests taken prior to July 15, 2019. A minimum score of 105 is required for tests taken after July 15, 2019.

THE PEARSON TEST OF ENGLISH ACADEMIC

For applicants taking The Pearson Test of English Academic, a minimum score of 59 is required.

WAIVERS

MassArt can generally waive English Language Proficiency Exams for:

  • Students who have earned a 3.0/B or better in two 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.

If you believe that you may qualify for a waiver, please contact gradadmissions@massart.edu. 

Transcripts

*Note that MassArt does not consider applicants for graduate degree or post-baccalaureate programs who do not have the equivalent of a 4 year, US baccalaureate degree.

MassArt requires official course-by-course evaluations of post-secondary transcripts or records from other countries. Credentials in languages other than English, or outside of the US based 4.0 grading scale, must be accompanied by certified English translations and an explanation of the grading system, degree equivalency and hours of study. These must be course-by-course evaluations. 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 members.

International applicants who have academic documents from institutions outside of the U.S. are required to submit official (original, attested, or certified true) copies of academic records. Credentials in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified literal English translation. Translations must be complete, literal, word-for-word translations and mirror the original document.

All transcripts should be converted into the U.S. educational equivalencies. Records that are not converted into the U.S. equivalencies must have a course-by-course evaluation by an external evaluation agency and should 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

International applicants must submit official copies of all post-secondary (college/university) transcripts in the original sealed envelope, which should be sent directly to:

Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Office of Admissions
621 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Student Visa

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

International students requiring a student visa should allow ample time to fulfill legal requirements associated with obtaining a visa. For this reason, we ask that you do the following:

  • Complete the application process on or before February 1
  • Submit deposit by April 15 (Summer) / May 1 (Fall)

*Please note that MFA Low-Residency and Master of Education students must pay a new SEVIS fee each time they will enter the US.

gradadmissions@massart.edu • T: 617.879.7238