Graphic Design

Graduate Program

Applications for graduate study at VCU are made directly to the School of Graduate Studies (or the Office of International Admissions for foreign students). Application procedures differ significantly for domestic and international students. International Students should visit the Office of International Admissions Web site and consult the STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION PROCEDURE (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS) section below.

New procedures and application options have been instituted for domestic applicants for the 2008 school year. These students may submit selected portions of their application (including portfolio) directly to the School of the Arts via a new online portfolio submission tool. Before using this tool, students must complete an initial application to the School of Graduate Studies where they are required to fill out a formal application, pay an application fee of $50.00, and arrange for delivery of transcript information from all post-secondary institutions in which the student has completed college-level work.

Instructions and forms for graduate application can be found on the School of Graduate Studies web site.

All other physical application materials (including portfolio materials if the applicant chooses to opt out of the online portfolio submission tool) should be sent directly to the School of the Arts to the following address:

VCU School of the Arts
Dean's Office, Graduate Studies
Attn. Melanie Christian, Graduate Coordinator
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284-2519
Telephone: (804) 828-2787
E-mail: arts@vcu.edu

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION PROCEDURE
(DOMESTIC APPLICANTS)

  1. Visit the School of Graduate Studies Web site to obtain a Graduate Application to the University. Submit this form with the $50 application fee. (You may also apply electronically to the Graduate School—visit the Admissions page for instructions and a link to the electonic application page.) 

  2. Submit three letters of recommendation using the Reference Form provided by the Graduate School. These letters can be sent directly by the recommender to the School of the Arts address provided above, or submitted by the applicant in sealed envelopes with recommender signatures across the envelope flap.
     
  3. Write a statement of intent for graduate study describing overall career aspirations, academic and professional history and the role graduate work will play in your development as a visual communicator. This statement can be sent via post or submitted in PDF form via the online portfolio submission tool.
     
  4. Submit a portfolio* of 20-30 images of design- or art-related work either by post to the School of the Arts address provided above, or by use of the online portfolio submission tool. Mailed-in portfolios should be on CD with pieces presented in PDF, JPEG or Browser-ready format. Motion pieces should be in Quicktime or Flash format.
     
  5. All applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule an on-campus or phone interview with the Graduate Program Director before or following application submission.


STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION PROCEDURE
(INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS)

  1. Visit the Office of International Admissions Web site to obtain an International Application for Graduate Admission form. Submit this form with the $50 application fee and the following additional documents:

    • academic documentation as described on the Office of International Admissions "Applying for Graduate Admissions" page.

    • proof of English proficiency** as described on the Office of International Admissions "Applying for Graduate Admissions" page.

    • three letters of recommendation using the Reference Form provided by the Graduate School. These letters can be sent directly by the recommender or submitted by the applicant in sealed envelopes with recommender signatures across the envelope flap.

    • a statement of intent for graduate study describing overall career aspirations, academic and professional history and the role graduate work will play in your development as a visual communicator.

    • a portfolio* of 20-30 images of design- or art-related work. Portfolios should be submitted on CD with pieces presented in PDF, JPEG or Browser-ready format. Motion pieces should be in Quicktime or Flash format.


Once application materials have been processed they are forwarded to the department for evaluation beginning in early February.The MFA program in Visual Communications accepts students for admission in fall semesters only.

The annual application deadline for the program is February 1st. Letters of acceptance will be sent out no later than March 31st.

* Please do not attach printed paper labels to CDROM discs. All submitted works should be annotated in the file or on a separate description sheet showing: year of completion, client (if applicable), and type of artifact being designed (e.g. "Annual Report", Web Site", "Logotype" etc.). PDF or Browser-based presentations are prefered.

**TOEFL minimums for the Visual Communications MFA are 550 (paper and pencil); 230 (computer).