M.F.A. IN VISUAL ARTS
The master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree in visual arts is a full-time, two-year program with no midyear admissions. Admission into the program is based on four criteria and requires submitting applications to both Rutgers University and the Department of Art and Design at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Each application has a separate deadline.
The Department of Art and Design will not be accepting new applicants for the M.F.A. in visual arts for the fall 2021 semester. We anticipate accepting a new class for the fall 2022 semester.
1. Rutgers University Application (submitted via the University Portal)
1. An official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. Transcripts must be sent from the institution to Rutgers' Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. Personal Statement.
- In 300-500 words, discuss your creative practice within a personal and critical context. Please include why you believe graduate study at Mason Gross School will contribute to reaching your artistic growth and personal/professional goals.
The university application must be submitted FIRST in order to gain access to the Department of Art and Design application. Typically five business days after submitting the university application, applicants will receive an email invitation to complete the Department of Art and Design application.
For the university application, apply at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu or https://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/admissions/art-design.
2. Department of Art and Design Application (submitted via SlideRoom)
1. Department questionnaire.
2. Personal statement (please submit the same statement used for the university application).
3. Portfolio.
- Portfolio must consist of 20 slides of works created within the last two years.
- Slides can be a combination of completed works, detail shots, film stills, and time-based works.
- Each slide should be captioned with title, dimensions, materials, brief description, and date of creation.
- Images can be up to 5MB each and videos can be up to 250MB each.
- For time-based work (video, film, performance), please submit between 5-10 videos. Each video may be up to 10 minutes in length. Links to Vimeo and YouTube files are acceptable. When applicable, please provide passwords for protected links to ensure your files are accessible to reviewers.
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For acceptable SlideRoom file formats, click here.
4. Résumé/CV (please include current and recent employment, artistic involvement, and related skills/experience/training).
For general information, use the contact form on the Rutgers' Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions website
here or call 848-932-7711.
M.F.A. IN DESIGN
The master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree in design is a full-time, two-year program with no midyear admissions. Admission into the program is based on four criteria and requires submitting applications to both Rutgers University and the Department of Art and Design at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Each application has a separate deadline.
1. Rutgers University Application (submitted via the University Portal)
- An official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. Transcripts must be sent from the institution to Rutgers' Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of Research Interests.
- In 300-500 words, discuss your intentions for research and design exploration in graduate study. Describe how this intention relates to your current creative practice as well as to your personal and professional long-term goals.
The university application must be submitted FIRST in order to gain access to the Department of Art and Design application. Typically five business days after submitting the university application, applicants will receive an email invitation to complete the Department of Art and Design application.
2. Department of Art and Design Application (submitted via SlideRoom)
- Department questionnaire.
- Statement of Research Interests (please submit the same statement used for the university application).
- Portfolio.
- Please submit 20 images that represent the range of your work as a designer.
- Slides can be a combination of completed works, detail shots, film stills, and time-based works.
- Each slide should be captioned with title, dimensions, materials, brief description, and date of creation.
- Images can be up to 5MB each and videos can be up to 250MB each.
- For time-based work (video, film, performance), please submit between 5-10 videos. Each video may be up to 10 minutes in length. Links to Vimeo and YouTube files are acceptable. When applicable, please provide passwords for protected links to ensure your files are accessible to reviewers.
-
For acceptable SlideRoom file formats, click here.
4. Résumé/CV.
The deadline for the Department of Art and Design application for fall 2021 is January 15, 2021.
For general information, use the contact form on the Rutgers' Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions website
here or call 848-932-7711.
Graduate Programs in Art and Design 
