EDUCATION PH.D. Admissions

Information about admissions for the Art Education Ph.D. program

Profile of a Successful Applicant

The successful applicant to doctoral study in Art Education will have a master’s degree in art education or a related field and a sincere interest in the research and scholarship of art education. The successful applicant will show evidence of curiosity about the field and its impact in the world and demonstrate passion for developing a research-based career in art education.

Admissions Criteria & Application Process

Admissions criteria and application instructions for the Ph.D. in Education are housed on the School of Education’s website. Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the materials there and refer to them throughout the application process.

1. Academic Criteria

a) Two official and up-to-date copies of all transcripts of the applicant’s undergraduate  and graduate studies. The applicant must submit a transcript that indicates that  he or she has earned a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

b) Grade point average of 3.4 in a master’s degree program.

c) Current official scores for the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores must be less than five years old.

d) A 300 composite GRE score and a verbal score in the 50th percentile or higher are the minimum expected scores for acceptance into the program. A score of 4 or higher on the Analytical Writing section is desired.

2. Non-Academic Criteria

a) Personal statement: A 2-3 page personal statement. This statement should describe your goals for doctoral study including your research interests, how these interests emerged, and how they align with faculty research agendas. Applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible about their long-term goals and how doctoral education will prepare them to meet these goals. While research interests and professional goals may change, this information will help faculty determine whether an applicant’s interests are a match with the expertise of faculty in Art Education and/or the University at large.

b) A professional vita or resume indicating an applicant’s educational and career experience, as well as evidence of leadership potential. This experience may come from areas such as professional, civic, religious, fraternal, or advocacy organizations. The applicant must present evidence of sustained experience in planning, leading, administering, or evaluating programs and personnel in varied positions that are directly related to Art Education. The evidence should include, but not necessarily be limited to dates of positions, job responsibilities, supervisor’s evaluations, publications, and important knowledge that came from the position. Other appropriate evidence may include letters of recognition, awards, and professional memberships.

c) Completed forms from three references (available for download here). The applicant must identify three individuals who are willing to rate the applicant’s intellectual and leadership ability, particularly his/her ability to successfully complete doctoral level work including research. If the applicant has attended a college or university within the last three years, at least one of the references should be academic. Each of these persons completes a form rating the applicant in a number of personal and academic areas and forwards the form to the Graduate School. Submission of these names constitutes permission to contact these persons by telephone anytime during the admissions process.

3. Track-Specific Criteria

In addition to general requirements, applicants to the Art Education concentration must also submit an academic writing sample (e.g. thesis chapter or scholarly paper) with their application. Applicants may also be asked for an interview with members of the admissions committee. If an applicant is interested in obtaining licensure while working toward the Ph.D., it should be indicated on the application materials.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with the track coordinator (swilsonmckay@vcu.edu) prior to applying. Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School by January 15 for Fall admission to the Art Education Doctoral Program. Earlier applications may increase opportunity and consideration for funding through graduate assistantships.

Quick Links

Program Application Manual
Admissions Process
Graduate Bulletin 
Transfer Credit
Additional Program Requirements

Additional Information

For more information about VCU, please visit the following websites:

Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
Course Schedule Book
Academic Calendars
University Resources and Services
Richmond, VA Visitor Information