{"id":1689,"date":"2022-05-27T16:24:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-27T20:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/?page_id=1689"},"modified":"2026-06-12T15:23:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:23:34","slug":"graduate-admissions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/visual-arts\/admissions-portfolio-reviews\/graduate-admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"School of Visual Arts Graduate Admissions"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Graduate Application Instructions<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Boston University School of Visual Arts graduate programs require a complete application for consideration. This includes a portfolio. Applicants applying to any graduate program in the College of Fine Arts must have earned (or expect to earn) a bachelor\u2019s degree (or equivalent). All materials will be submitted electronically. Please see the sections below for full instructions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should you have questions that aren\u2019t addressed here, please <a href=\"mailto:visuarts@bu.edu\">email<\/a> the School of Visual Arts or call us at 617-353-3371.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"blue\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Steps to Apply<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Complete your online application form<\/strong>. Be sure to enter all of your personal and academic information as well as the contact information for your recommenders. <a href=\"https:\/\/bu-cfa2026.liaisoncas.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Begin your application here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Upload forms:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll upload transcripts from all colleges attended (unofficial copies are acceptable), your current r\u00e9sum\u00e9\/CV, and essay in the online application form. Please scroll down to see \u201cRequirements for All Applicants\u201d for more details.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Please do not send physical transcripts.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Transcripts should be uploaded electronically to your application. Remember that unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Submit your portfolio:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The fourth quadrant of the online application form links to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bucfa.slideroom.com\/#\/Login\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bucfa.slideroom.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where you will submit your portfolio. This section must be completed before you can submit your application form. For more details and tips about submitting your portfolio, please scroll down to \u201cPortfolio Requirements.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Submit application:<\/strong> Please pay the application fee using your credit card. Only when the fee is paid will your completed application be sent to Boston University. If the application fee represents a financial hardship please email <a href=\"mailto:arts@bu.edu\">arts@bu.edu<\/a>to inquire about a fee waiver.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"yellow\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Portfolio Requirements<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All School of Visual Arts graduate programs require a portfolio submission along with the CFA graduate application. All portfolios must be submitted digitally at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bucfa.slideroom.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bucfa.slideroom.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Please <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/visual-arts\/admissions-portfolio-reviews\/graduate-admissions\/portfolio-requirements\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">click here to learn more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about individual program requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are interested in a preliminary portfolio review of your work, please seek us out at a Graduate National Portfolio Day. You may find the details for these events as well as the event schedule at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalportfolioday.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nationalportfolioday.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"green\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Requirements for All Applicants<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Completed application online for graduate admission to the College of Fine Arts.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Portfolio digitally submitted &#8212; please note specific portfolio requirements for each major<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Non-refundable application fee of $95 submitted using the online application. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you require assistance with the BU application fee due to financial hardship, please contact <\/span><a href=\"mailto:arts@bu.edu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arts@bu.edu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to request a fee waiver code.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Two letters of recommendation from professionals\/educators. These must be submitted online through your application.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Upload unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you&#8217;ve earned a degree, diploma or certificate to your electronic application.\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><i><span>* If you are accepted and choose to enroll, BU will then require Official Final Transcripts from your undergraduate degree granting institution. <\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">A one-page personal statement indicating the applicant\u2019s purpose in pursuing graduate work, career objectives, and particular interest in BU. Please note that there is a similar question and prompt in Slideroom. Applicants are welcome to use the same response in each location should they choose to.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Current resume and\/or CV.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Applicants applying to any graduate program in the College of Fine Arts must have earned (or expect to earn) a bachelor\u2019s degree (or equivalent).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"video-responsive\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"grey\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Graduate International Students<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For answers to frequently asked questions, please check out the resources of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/\">International Students &amp; Scholars Office.\u00a0<\/a> Please know that our graphic design program is not a STEM-designated program, and g<\/span>raduate international applicants must prove English proficiency in one of two ways.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">By completing a bachelor\u2019s degree and submitting an official transcript from an institution in which English was the language of instruction before the time of enrollment at BU.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Submitting one of the English proficiency tests listed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/english-proficiency-requirements\/\">here<\/a> with a score that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/english-proficiency-requirements\/\">English Proficiency Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"pink\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Tuition and Financial Aid<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click here to learn more about the tuition, fees, and aid opportunities: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/graduate-financial-aid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/graduate-financial-aid\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"yellow\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Critical Dates<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><del><strong>January 16\u00a0<\/strong><\/del><strong> 2026 Deadline extended to January 19<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The application deadline for all MFA, On-Campus MA, and Certificate applications<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">This includes supporting materials and portfolio, and for international students TOEFL or IELTS scores.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Early to Mid-March<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Final admission decisions are released<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/bu-cfa2026.liaisoncas.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Apply Now<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/admissions\/graduate\/faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grad FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/grad-student-life\/living-in-boston\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Housing Information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Graduate Information Sessions<\/h4>\n<p>Join faculty and current students to learn more about the graduate offerings at BU School of Visual Arts. We also encourage prospective graduate students to connect with us at a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nationalportfolioday.org\/\">Graduate National Portfolio Day<\/a> to receive preliminary feedback on your portfolio.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"pink\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Fall 2025 Recordings<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Information Sessions<\/strong><br \/>\nWatch recordings from past information sessions to learn more about our programs and the admissions process.<\/p>\n<p><b data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">MFA Painting<br \/>\n<\/b>Monday, November 3<sup>rd<\/sup><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/JSET9sdkS50INXU3rBExc-_hMeDpxY173I1R77YYFNPgXh2Uw5PsCBFKmJwg6JYB.gSbjYsRF0-QYCP82\">Watch Session<\/a><br \/>\n<span>Access Password: f?00RB$1<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">MFA Visual Narrative Artists Talk with David F. Walker<br \/>\n<\/b>Monday, November 3<sup>rd<\/sup><span>\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/LpqDU_AoLP3Smn-onWZN6j0eFPjHofbhs-h4y3yldB9GJuJa9WSUqQHnaTUosHZq.KINM1vqSm_6UdatW\">Watch Session<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Access Password: Xx!5+MX.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>MFA Graphic Design<\/b><br \/>\nTuesday, November 4<sup>th<\/sup><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/w80CQS8Px5L5Km_tjh9ITFM4qed1xhTzS6Ubwu0g-YW2PnqAaIt6y2qqzjZayNsA.wbKMo0gBI1MajFFx\">Watch Session<\/a><br \/>\n<span>Access Password: &amp;WzM18=^<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>MFA Sculpture<\/b><br \/>\nWednesday, November 5<sup>th<\/sup><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/aFyM9KxLpQHst9RGT8pBvXJWQxppoItpbSNwNI3KnkvpQlRaQafoZ4squIFK6aCU.ggE5u_CkHi2eEmj1\">Watch Session<\/a><br \/>\n<span>Access Password: 5nGzbV?0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>MFA Print Media &amp; Photography<\/b><br \/>\nMonday, November 10<sup>th<\/sup><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/-QmEV8nqZ-jFjcCZeTKQjw-K6X0MXwRT2pHyM9RW12iYpwKAGvVXkqS_VFM94yCd.25Dbtqv7LY0oByqI\">Watch Session<\/a><br \/>\n<span>Access Password: L=?5c?M%<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"pink\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h5 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Upcoming Sessions<\/h5><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Information Sessions<\/strong><br \/>\nLearn more about our programs and the admissions process<\/p>\n<p><b data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">MFA Painting<br \/>\n<\/b>Monday, November 3<sup>rd<\/sup><span>\u00a0<\/span>at 5:30pm EST<br \/>\nRegister here:<span>\u00a0<\/span><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_v05_mx9UTy6nREoLNLFemA\" data-linkindex=\"1\" title=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_v05_mx9UTy6nREoLNLFemA\">https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_v05_mx9UTy6nREoLNLFemA<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>MFA Graphic Design<\/b><br \/>\nTuesday, November 4<sup>th<\/sup><span>\u00a0<\/span>at 5:00pm<br \/>\nRegister here:<span>\u00a0<\/span><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_XjluxxImTMytMYVkpPYRKQ\" data-linkindex=\"2\" title=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_XjluxxImTMytMYVkpPYRKQ\">https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_XjluxxImTMytMYVkpPYRKQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><br \/>\nMFA Sculpture<br \/>\n<\/b>Wednesday, November 5<sup>th<\/sup><span>\u00a0<\/span>at 5:00pm EST<br \/>\nRegister here:<span>\u00a0<\/span><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_IHscps2yQcq5ivtfzQyeqA\" data-linkindex=\"3\" title=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_IHscps2yQcq5ivtfzQyeqA\">https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_IHscps2yQcq5ivtfzQyeqA<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><br \/>\nMFA Print Media and Photography<br \/>\n<\/b>Monday, November 10<sup>th<\/sup><span>\u00a0<\/span>at 5:30pm EST<br \/>\nRegister here:<span>\u00a0<\/span><a data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_dRC5BrFpSfCioT773b5heg\" data-linkindex=\"4\" title=\"https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_dRC5BrFpSfCioT773b5heg\">https:\/\/bostonu.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_dRC5BrFpSfCioT773b5heg<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"video-responsive\"><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_103411\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-103411\" style=\"width: 646px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-636x424.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103411 size-medium\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-636x424.jpeg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-900x600.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-450x300.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/files\/2023\/08\/MFA-Thesis-show-2023-125-600x400.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-103411\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grad Graphic Design Thesis Exhibition 2023. Photo by Daniel Pinnolis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\r\n  window.unibuddySettings = {\r\n    uni_id: 'boston-university-college-of-fine-arts',\r\n    colour: 'CC0000',\r\n    domain: 'https:\/\/popcard.unibuddy.co\/',\r\n    title: 'Unibuddy Popcard',\r\n    align: 'right',\r\n    ubLang: 'en-US',\r\n    ubCookieConsent: 'necessary',\r\n  };\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.unibuddy.co\/unibuddy-popcard.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Graduate Application Instructions All Boston University School of Visual Arts graduate programs require a complete application for consideration. This includes a portfolio. Applicants applying to any graduate program in the College of Fine Arts must have earned (or expect to earn) a bachelor\u2019s degree (or equivalent). All materials will be submitted electronically. Please see the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14125,"featured_media":0,"parent":1685,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"bu-publication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1689"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1689"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131271,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1689\/revisions\/131271"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=1689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}