The 2023-2024 Graduate Admissions Application is Open.
To apply, you need to hold a degree from an accredited four-year
university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; it need not be in
Art Studio. You need to provide evidence of your ability and
commitment to the art process. GRE scores are not required for
admission to the M.F.A. program or for fellowship consideration.
Graduate Application Guidelines
Application Procedure
Priority Deadline for MFA Applications is January 5,
2023
Application
Apply online in two steps:
Applicants must complete both of these steps before their
application will be reviewed for admission. Both steps must
be completed on or before the posted deadline date. We
strongly recommend that applicants submit their university online
application and their online portfolio on the same day to ensure
timely review of their materials. Applicants who complete
one part of the application process but not the other will not be
considered for admission and will not be entitled to a refund of
any application fees.
an application for admission and a fellowship application
generated and sent to applicants who apply by the priority
deadline.
an application fee ($120 domestic and $140
international), which can be paid by credit card or e-check.
Please note: the application processing fee is nonrefundable.
The fee must be paid before the application will be
considered complete, and the fee must be paid for each
application submitted.
three (3) letters of recommendation. Recommenders must
submit all recommendations online through the online
application web site.
your artist statement under the “essay describing your
research or professional interest”. The artist
statement should be no more than 2000 characters and
sums up your vision as an artist.
TOEFL score, if you are International status. Minimum
score of 90 required.
Your portfolio MUST be submitted as part of your online
application.
You may submit up to 20 files offering a view of your
best and most current work, in reverse chronological order,
Please refer to the file format and size instructions on the
submission page.
Audio and video clips may be directly submitted or linked
to SoundCloud, YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox or Box.com. If your URL is
password-protected, password must be clearly provided.
If you are submitting a book as part of your
portfolio, you may submit images of the cover and/or sample
pages of the physical book, and a pdf file or a URL that
presents the content of the book.
Please DO NOT submit an entire portfolio in PDF or linked to
a URL.
Applications will not be considered complete
without step 1 or step 2 (above). Completed
applications are evaluated along with the supplemental materials
submitted to the Graduate Program in Art. The department’s
Graduate Admissions Advisory Committee will submit its
recommendations to the dean; final admissions decisions rest with
the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies will
notify you in writing of your acceptance or denial, usually in
late March through your Apply Yourself account. No
decision can be given out over the telephone. This approval
procedure applies to all applicants, including those admitted to
UC Davis from another UC campus.
** Applicants are responsible for making certain the Graduate
Program receives all application supporting documents
(transcripts, etc.). An application is not considered
“complete” by the University unless all supporting documents have
been received by application deadline. The Graduate
Program is not responsible for any materials that are submitted
after application deadline.
Application for Financial Aid
If you will be applying for need-based grants, loans, or
financial aid, you must submit a FAFSA form to the Financial Aid
Office. This form may be obtained at any college or university
financial aid office or on line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. For
complete information regarding financial aid at UC Davis, see the
Financial
Aid and Scholarships page for graduate and professional
students. Click on their Contact us tab
for phone numbers and other specifics.
Acceptance
The Dean of Graduate Studies will notify you in writing of your
acceptance or denial, usually in March through your apply
Yourself account. No decision can be given out over the
telephone.
International Graduate Students: University policy requires
international graduate students to take the SPEAK test of oral
English proficiency before they begin duties as teaching
assistants or associate-instructors. All international TAs and
AIs must meet this requirement and they must pre-register
in-person at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, 1350 Surge
III, in order to take the exam.
The University of California is an affirmative action/equal
opportunity employer, in accordance with applicable State and
Federal laws and University policy. The University is interested
in the development of a campus climate that supports equality and
diversity. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal opportunity
policies may be directed to the Vice Chancellor of Academic
Affairs (530) 752-2070. Speech and hearing impaired persons may
dial (530) 752-7320 (TDD).
International Student Information
The minimum score required for the TOEFL examination is 90;
minimum score required for the IELTS is 7 on a 9 point scale and
Duolingo score of 115 for admission or 130 to be exempt from
taking UWP courses.
Once admitted, University policy requires international graduate
students to take the English as a Second Language (ESL) test and
the SPEAK test of oral English proficiency before they begin
duties as teaching assistants or associate-ins. All international
TAs and AIs must meet this requirement and they must pre-register
in person at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, 1350 Surge
III, in order to take the exam. Click here for more information
on the ESL test; see the CETL site
for information on the SPEAK test.
