Graduate Applicants

Statement of Intent
A statement of purpose, approximately 500-750 words in length, that briefly describes the applicant’s interest in graduate study and research, indicating an avenue of inquiry that the applicant expects to explore. The statement also should include the applicant’s professional goals beyond graduate study and explain why VCU art education is suited to the applicant’s interests. The applicant should indicate which track of the MAE program is desired: the track designed for practicing art teachers or the MAE+ track, which allows students to earn both the MAE degree and teacher license at the same time. Please also indicate the preferred enrollment as either full-time or part-time and describe any previous teaching experiences.

Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Include education, work experience, exhibitions, curatorial activity, residencies/fellowships, honors and awards, organization membership. If you have a website, please include a link in your cv/resume.

Portfolio
Applicants are required to submit 15 items of personal or student work, showing both breadth of media competency as well as depth of ability in at least one area. Accepted formats include still images, video clips (maximum of three minutes), links, and audio files. Please do not submit trailers or sizzle reels. Each upload should represent completed work and include a brief description with details such as title, date, medium/materials, dimensions,and/or any other relevant context. Please clearly indicate if it is your work or student work.

Letters of Recommendation
Please solicit letters from 3 college professors or work supervisors who can assess your ability to succeed in a writing-based graduate program. Letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by recommenders.

For general required materials, please view application instructions on the School of Education’s website.

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 prior to applying. Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School by December 1 for Fall admission to the Art Education Doctoral Program. Earlier applications may increase opportunity and consideration for funding through graduate assistantships.

A statement of intent 750 to 1000 words in length that briefly describes your academic background, the aspects of art history that you wish to explore at VCU, your professional goals and aspirations, and how the program (historical studies or museum studies) will help you pursue your interests and achieve your goals.

A writing sample that has a clearly articulated thesis supported by coherent discussion with appropriate scholarly and/or primary sources. Usually a research paper in art history or a related field, the writing sample should demonstrate research and writing skills as well as the ability to analyze works of art and visual culture both visually and historically.

Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which are from undergraduate instructors who can assess your preparation and promise for graduate work. A third letter may be from a museum or other arts professional who has supervised your work as an intern or employee. This letter regarding professional experience is highly recommended for applicants to the museum studies concentration.

A current resume or CV listing academic background and professional experience.

The concentration in interior environments program (professional entry-level option) is for second-degree seekers who have a prior degree in a field other than interior design. No prior design or art background is required, although applicants with design and art backgrounds are welcome to apply. If an applicant’s prior degree is in interior design (or equivalent), please see requirements for our post-professional program option instead. In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants to the MFA must include the following for consideration towards our program:

–Curriculum Vitae / Resume: Applicants should submit previous academic and professional experiences (if any) in the format of either a Curriculum Vitae or Resume on their University Graduate Application. If an applicant has a website they are welcome to include it as a link on their CV/Resume.

–Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted online by an applicant’s recommenders. Letters of recommendation from professional associates such as instructors, supervisors, or colleagues should address the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program, as well as describe specific experiences they have had with the applicant that they think would translate to them being an outstanding candidate for our M.F.A. in Design with a concentration in interior environments entry-level program.

–Statement of Intent: Applicant’s statement of intent should be approximately 1-2 pages in length and should briefly explain the following:

Applicants academic and professional background
Why they are interested in studying design of interior environments
Why they are interested in studying at VCUarts specifically
What their professional goals are beyond graduate study
Any areas of interest relevant to interior design that they are eager to learn more about
Level of interest in being awarded a Graduate Assistantship (see below for details) as well as financial need considerations they may have (if any)

Information on Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Interior Design has historically been able to support a select number of graduate students with Graduate Assistantships, which are awarded positions where in return for work you would do within the department, part or all tuition costs (excluding fees) may be funded in addition to receiving a stipend per semester to help support additional expenses.

Our department does not have an official application process for consideration towards our Graduate Assistantship positions, rather all applicants are eligible for consideration and the selection process is competitive based on merit and need. Students wishing to be considered for Graduate Assistantships should express their interest and rationale for being an outstanding candidate as a postscript to their statement of intent. The offering of these awards are subject to availability and may be structured for either a full or half academic year (Fall/Spring). If awarded, positions are not guaranteed to be renewed.

–Portfolio: A Portfolio is not required for the M.F.A. in Design with a concentration in interior environments entry-level program application; however, even if applicants do not have a background in design or the arts we highly encourage them to present any creative work they might have completed as a hobby, such as photography, home crafting projects, creative writing, poetry, art classes at a local museum, etc. so we can get a feel for their visual style, abilities and interest.

The optional portfolio will be submitted along with the online application and it may include images or pages of creative work saved as a single PDF file.

–Interview: Once an applicant has completed their application the department may request an interview (may be via Zoom, telephone or in person).

The concentration in interior environments program (post-professional level option) is for second-degree seekers who have a prior degree in interior design (or equivalent). If an applicant’s prior degree is in a field other than interior design, please see requirements for our professional entry-level program option instead. In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants to the MFA must include the following for consideration towards our program:

–Curriculum Vitae / Resume: Applicants should submit previous academic and professional experiences (if any) in the format of either a Curriculum Vitae or Resume on their University Graduate Application. If an applicant has a website they are welcome to include it as a link on their CV/Resume.

–Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted online by an applicant’s recommenders. Letters of recommendation from professional associates such as instructors, supervisors, or colleagues should address the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program, as well as describe specific experiences they have had with the applicant that they think would translate to them being an outstanding candidate for our M.F.A. in Design with a concentration in interior environments post-professional program.

–Statement of Intent: Applicant’s statement of intent should be approximately 1-2 pages in length and should briefly explain the following:

Applicants academic and professional background
Why they are pursuing continued study of design of interior environments, including a description of their research agenda
Why they are interested in studying at VCUarts specifically
What their professional goals are beyond graduate study
Level of interest in being awarded a Graduate Assistantship (see below for details) as well as financial need considerations they may have (if any)

Information on Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Interior Design has historically been able to support a select number of graduate students with Graduate Assistantships, which are awarded positions where in return for work you would do within the department, part or all tuition costs (excluding fees) may be funded in addition to receiving a stipend per semester to help support additional expenses.

Our department does not have an official application process for consideration towards our Graduate Assistantship positions, rather all applicants are eligible for consideration and the selection process is competitive based on merit and need. Students wishing to be considered for Graduate Assistantships should express their interest and rationale for being an outstanding candidate as a postscript to their statement of intent.

The offering of these awards are subject to availability and may be structured for either a full or half academic year (Fall/Spring). If awarded, positions are not guaranteed to be renewed.

–Portfolio: A Portfolio is required for the M.F.A. in Design with a concentration in interior environments post-professional program application. Please upload a Portfolio containing examples of your design projects as a PDF file, with a focus on highlighting a range of design abilities, thinking, and communication.

–Interview: Once an applicant has completed their application the department may request an interview (may be via Zoom, telephone or in person).

Statement of Intent
This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on your practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish at VCU.