Graduate Admissions FAQs

Information about our programs can be found online by visiting the graduate degrees page. Please contact the department directly for any printed material. Click here to view the most recent VCUarts publications including MFA Thesis Exhibition Catalogs and Studio Magazine.

Tours and campus visits are arranged individually by department. Prospective graduate students interested in tours or meeting with faculty should email artsgrad@vcu.edu. We can answer your questions or connect you with a faculty member who can share options that may be available for you to get to know our campus and programs. Several opportunities may be available including phone calls, virtual tours, or on-campus tours.

2025 dates and information pending.

Visit the VCUarts Graduate How to Apply page which will walk you through the application process. If you need further assistance, contact artsgrad@vcu.edu with any procedural questions.

Applicants applying to more than one program must submit a separate application and application fee for each program.

If you have previously applied you will need to submit a new university application for the new intended semester of entry and resubmit supplemental materials.

International applicants should apply one month before the deadline to ensure that application materials are received in time. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, be sure to review additional requirements on the International Admissions graduate student page.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide individual confirmation of the receipt of application materials. There is a checklist of required materials in your online applicant portal which you can use to check the status of your application materials.

Decision letters are typically available in March. When a decision letter is available, applicants will receive an email that an update is available in their online applicant portal.

The Tuition and Fees Calculator provides an estimate of expenses and may not reflect the complete cost of tuition, fees and other charges. Tuition and fee costs are set in the summer for the upcoming academic year.

Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for federal student aid by filing a FAFSA.

VCUarts offers competitive, merit-based Graduate Assistantships. Graduate Assistantships provide tuition support and a stipend for one or two semesters. These awards are granted through the departments and require an exceptional academic history in combination with work that demonstrates the highest level of accomplishment and potential.

All students are automatically considered for funding upon acceptance. Applicants are notified of awards upon acceptance.

Enrolled students are eligible to apply for graduate scholarships, Graduate Travel Grants and Graduate Research Grants.

Yes, all of the same funding opportunities are available to international students with the exception of federal student aid.