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Requirements

Applicants to the program must demonstrate a strong commitment and potential for developing sustained creative activity as a visual artist at the professional level and the ability to complete graduate work.

Academic programs / Graduate programs /
Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art / Admissions /
Requirements

You must complete both an online application and supply additional application materials via mail. Upon receipt of the information, the MFA admissions committee will assess your viability and recommend or deny admission.

1. Complete the online application
For the online application, along with providing basic application information, you should be prepared to: submit a personal statement of 500 words, provide the contact information of two people who can supply letters of reference, and pay the application fee. Please indicate in your personal statement whether or not you wish to be considered for a Graduate Fellowship and/or a Herron Graduate Scholarship. The online application does not have to be completed all at once. You may save information and revisit the application later if necessary. To access the online application, click the “apply” button on the bottom of the screen or follow this link to access the online application

2. Mail your official transcript(s) and portfolio.

Your transcript(s) and portfolio must be mailed in one package to:
Graduate Admissions
c/o Student Services Office
Herron School of Art and Design
735 W. New York St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5944

Transcript(s)
The official transcript must indicate the completion of an undergraduate degree, preferably a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a studio art emphasis from an accredited institution. However, other backgrounds will be considered by the MFA admissions committee. The transcript must also demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Please include transcripts from all higher education institutions attended, including any work you have completed at the masters level.

Portfolio
Portfolios are accepted in digital format only. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your portfolio.
Portfolio Guidelines

  • 18-20 digital images must be submitted on a CD and formatted as a PowerPoint presentation (.pps)
  • Time based work, CD, DVD or VHS (NTSC), should have clear instructions on what to view first. If you submit video files on CD, place them in a folder entitled Lastname_video (example: Johnson_video). Files on CD should be in .mov format.
  • Web based work must be submitted locally on a CD (rather than being Internet based). Indicate clearly where to start viewing the presentation.
  • An inventory sheet must be attached with your name and thumbnail images for each piece (for identification). Additionally, for each piece provide title, medium (or programs used), dimensions in inches (height x width x depth) and date of completion.
  • Prior to submission please check all items to assure that they work properly and all necessary files are included.
  • All items (discs, VHS tapes, etc.) should be clearly labeled with your name, the program you are applying for and your contact information.

    • NOTE: All work must be Macintosh compatible.

    3. Submit TOEFL scores if applicable
    Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for international students unless the applicant’s undergraduate degree is from a university in an English-speaking country. Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to IUPUI by the Educational Testing Service. Ensure that original scores from ETS are sent directly to the program. The IUPUI reporting code for TOEFL is 1325.

    The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a requirement.

    Prerequisite Coursework and/or Degrees

    Some otherwise qualified applicants for the Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art program may not have all the necessary coursework and background experience to prepare them fully to succeed in their graduate coursework. These persons will be required to make up any deficiencies (e.g., a lack of undergraduate course work in art history) by enrolling in appropriate undergraduate courses prior to taking specific courses in the graduate program. Some professional experience as an artist (including such activities as exhibitions, publications, and public projects) is strongly desired of all applicants.

    Transfer credits

    Students who have completed graduate coursework at another accredited institution may receive no more than 21 credits as transfer credit to count toward the required curriculum of the Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art at Herron. Each case will be evaluated for transfer credits individually.