Graduate Admissions

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Admissions

Graduate Admissions

Evening, Saturday, and Online Classes

WHEN TO APPLY

• The Academy has rolling admissions; you may apply year-round to enroll in classes for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
  
• It is recommended that you apply as early as possible to ensure enrollment in your top choice classes.
  
• You may apply up to two years before you plan to enroll at the Academy.
  
• Applications are accepted through the first week of each semester.
  

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GRADUATE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

The Academy of Art University graduate programs are designed for students who desire to improve their portfolio. The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Fine Art (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.).* After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit the following additional items to be considered for admission. Students may only register for graduate classes after being admitted into a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Architecture program.

Statement of Intent: One page, typed, explaining your goals in Graduate School leading to your MFA or M. Arch. Final Project.

Résumé: Describe your educational and professional experience.

Official College Transcripts: Sealed transcripts may be sent directly from the college(s) attended or may be submitted by the applicant. Transcripts must show completion of an undergraduate degree. You must submit official transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.

Portfolio (For Placement Purposes): A body of work representing the chosen discipline will be required for placement purposes. A description list is helpful to accompany portfolios when being reviewed, with all pieces labeled with your name and the title, size, medium and date of completion. For collaborative works, please explain your role in the creative process. International applicants are asked to provide an English translation of any copy/written material presented as part of the portfolio. Registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in your portfolio. Applicants should contact an Admissions Representative for details on portfolio submission, including content and format requirements.** We encourage you to submit your portfolio digitally here.

Based on the skill level of the portfolio, a candidate applying to the MFA or M. Arch. program may be required to take preparatory classes in advance of entering graduate-level classes. Units earned for preparatory classes are not counted as part of the total units necessary to receive an MFA or M. Arch. degree. Candidates granted provisional acceptance to the Master of Fine Arts Program must successfully complete classes designated by the admissions committee before enrolling in the MFA or M. Arch. degree program.

*Please note that the Academy may reject any applicant whose records indicate inadequate preparation and/or interest for its programs. An applicant who has been denied admission will not be allowed to register for classes.

*Portfolio Return Policy: Applicants must make arrangements to pick up their portfolios in person or to have them returned via US Postal Service; only portfolios with prepaid return postage will be returned via US Postal Service. Portfolios that are unclaimed or returned due to incorrect address or inadequate postage will be retained on campus for approximately 90 days. Although every precaution is taken to protect portfolios, the Academy of Art University cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of portfolios either in transit or on campus for review.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR GRADUATE ADMISSIONS – DOMESTIC STUDENTS (U.S. CITIZENS & GREEN CARD HOLDERS)

If you have any questions, please contact us at 800.544.ARTS (2787) or 415.274.2222, or e-mail the department at .

Graduate Domestic Applicants:

For Graduate Domestic (U.S. Citizen & Green Card Holders) Applicants Only

The following items MUST be submitted in order to process your application:

• APPLICATION FORM. Must be filled out completely, signed, and dated.
• APPLICATION FEE ($100). Please make a check/money order payable to Academy of Art University. Visa and MasterCard payments are also acceptable. The $100 application fee is non-refundable.
• PORTFOLIO. You will be registered for the appropriate classes based on the skills demonstrated in your portfolio. We encourage you to submit your portfolio digitally here. If you hold a Bachelor’s Degree and do not have a portfolio, we encourage you to apply.
• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. Graduate applicants must submit an official college transcript, verifying prior Bachelor's degree. Photocopy is unacceptable.
• STATEMENT OF INTENT. A one-page statement of your goals in graduate school.
• RESUME. Should describe your education background, work experience, and skill set.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. For most majors, letters of recommendation are optional, but suggested. For Motion Pictures & Television applicants, three letters of recommendation are required.

Before you register for classes, you will also be asked to submit a $20 student activity fee*, a $20 registration fee, and a $100 tuition deposit.

*Does not apply to 100% online students

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HOW TO APPLY FOR GRADUATE ADMISSIONS – INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Please call international admissions at 1-415-274-2208 or e-mail us at Intladmissions@academyart.edu should you have any questions.

• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in English.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Traditional Chinese.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Simplified Chinese.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Korean.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Thai.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Indonesian.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Portuguese.
• Click here () to download the Academy international application procedure in Spanish.

Graduate International Applicants:

For Graduate International Applications Only

The following items MUST be submitted in order to process your application:

• APPLICATION FORM. Must be filled out completely, signed, and dated.
• APPLICATION FEE ($100). Please make a check/money order payable to Academy of Art University. Visa and MasterCard payments are also acceptable. The $100 application fee is non-refundable.
• $500 TUITION DEPOSIT. Applicants will need to submit a $500 tuition deposit upon acceptance into the MFA program. Please make a check/money order payable to Academy of Art University. Visa and MasterCard payments are also acceptable. This fee will be credited toward tuition for the first semester and is non-refundable after paid to secure admission.
• PORTFOLIO. You will be registered for the appropriate classes based on the skills demonstrated in your portfolio. We encourage you to submit your portfolio digitally here. If you hold a Bachelor’s Degree and do not have a portfolio, we encourage you to apply.
  

• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. Graduate applicants must submit an official college transcript, verifying prior Bachelor’s degree. Foreign transcripts and diploma must have a Bachelor's degree stated on them. Photocopy is unacceptable.
• STATEMENT OF INTENT. A one-page statement of your goals in graduate school.
• RESUME. Should describe your education background, work experience, and skill set.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. For most majors, letters of recommendation are optional, but suggested. For Motion Pictures & Television applicants, three letters of recommendation are required.
• AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT*. Applicants and sponsor(s) must fill out this form and sign it. Photocopy is unacceptable. Click here () to download the Affidavit of Support Form.
• OFFICIAL/ORIGINAL BANK LETTER*. A letter or certificate from your bank showing at least $34,000 USD.
  Bank letter must be in English. Photocopy is unacceptable.
  *Please note that U.S Financial Aid is not available for International Students. International students SHOULD NOT depend on employment in the U.S. for financial support while attending the university.
• PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT*.
• TOEFL OR TOEIC SCORE. (no minimum requirement) Please visit these websites if you have not taken either of these tests: for TOEFL http://www.ets.org/toefl/; for TOEIC http://www.ets.org/toeic/. Our institutional code is 4207.

Before you register for classes, you will also be asked to submit a $20 student activity fee* and $20 registration fee.

* Does not apply to 100% online students

International transfer students who are currently attending school in U.S. also need to submit the following:

• TRANSFER EVALUATION FORM. Only for students who currently hold an F-1 visa. You must be released from SEVIS by your school before we can issue the I-20. Click here () to download the Transfer School Evaluation Form.
• PHOTOCOPY OF CURRENT I-20 FORM, I-94, OR OTHER VISA TYPE.Only for students who are currently studying in the U.S.

FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS

If your transcripts are not in English, they must be translated and notarized by a translation service. If you are not sure if your diploma is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma or Bachelor's degree, the following agencies can evaluate your transcripts for a fee: www.eres.com, www.wes.org (these agencies are only suggested, not affiliated with AAU).

Please send all application materials to:
Academy of Art University
Attn: International Admissions
79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel. (415) 274-2208
Fax (415) 618-6278
intladmissions@academyart.edu

Note: International students who are currently staying in the US, holding an I-20 and F-1 visa status, are not eligible to take classes 100% online. Please contact International Admissions at 415.274.2208 or intladmissions@academyart.edu more information.

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