We actually do not have printed information to send. All of the information about our program as well as links to our graduate students’ work can be found on our website. Detailed application instructions are located here.
We are looking for your best work, and what best reflects your studio practice. Document your work professionally. For a sense of what kind of work is happening here, have a look at the work of our current MFA students as well as our alumni and faculty. We welcome a broad spectrum of working styles and media.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have temporarily suspended on-campus visits. For inquiries about our graduate program, please email sculpture@vcu.edu and we can answer your questions there or set up a time for you to talk to a faculty member over the phone. Please know that we do not review portfolios in advance of application reviews, but we are very happy to talk to you about our program.
In order to create an equitable environment for all applicants, we do not review applicant work outside of the application process.
As much as we would love to show each visitor around, we are simply unable to offer tours for individual visitors. You are welcome to stop by and have a look at the studios on your own schedule, but the MFA Open House is a much more comprehensive way to learn about our department and to meet and talk with us. Visitors are not permitted to visit classes.
Our facilities include two woodshops, a foundry, a metal fabrication shop, a computer lab, sewing machines, and a wide array of digital equipment for check out. Graduate students do have some separate facilities to provide ease of access. A list of equipment provided in our facilities is on our website here.
Application
Application materials are due by January 15. The MFA program is fall-entry only.
We admit 5 students each year. As we have a two year program, there are 10 total graduate students enrolled at one time. We receive approximately 150 applications each year
Visit this website, which will step you through the application process. If you need further assistance, you can contact VCUarts Graduate Studies at artsgrad@vcu.edu with any procedural questions.
You’ll be able to select more than one program in your University graduate application. Programs that require a portfolio are linked to their counterparts in SlideRoom.
International applicants should apply one month before the deadline to ensure application materials are received by the deadline. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, be sure to review additional requirements on the International Admissions graduate student page.
No. Our graduate students are required to complete all of their graduate coursework and thesis research at VCU.
In order to create an equitable environment for all applicants, we do not ask any of our applicants to travel here for interviews. We acknowledge that not everyone will be able to travel and do not want those who can to be at an unfair advantage.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, our department cannot provide individual confirmation of the receipt of application materials. There is a checklist of required materials on your online application profile which you can use to check the status of your application.
Final admissions should be made by the end of March. Due to the large number of applications and the detailed care we take to review them, the review process takes time. We will not be able to confirm admission decisions via telephone or email.
Funding
Tuition and fees for graduate students in the School of the Arts can be calculated here.
Yes.
Tuition remission and Assistantships are available. Individual offers of awards will be made at the time of admission. You can visit our Funding page for more information. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for federal student aid by filing a FAFSA.
Yes. You can visit our Funding page for more information on the grants available for our graduate students.
All applicants are automatically considered for assistantships. There is no separate application. Applicants are notified of awards upon acceptance.