Application steps
Ph.D. in Education, Art Education concentration
MA in Art History (Historical Studies, Museum Studies)
MFA in Fine Arts (Ceramics, Fibers, Glassworking, Jewelry/Metalworking, Wood/Furniture Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting, Printmaking, Photography and Film, Sculpture)
MFA in Design (Visual Communications)
March 1, fall entry only
MFA in Design (Interior Environments)
March 15, fall entry only
MAE in Art Education
MFA in Theatre (Pedagogy/Performance)
International applicants should apply one month before the deadlines above to ensure that application materials are received by the deadline.
Please contact artsgrad@vcu.edu with any questions.
The application for Fall 2025 admission will open on September 16, 2024.
Make sure to check your program specific requirements below before submitting your University Graduate Application.
All applicants must apply online using the University Graduate Application and are required to submit a $70 application fee. Applicants applying to more than one program must submit a separate application and application fee for each program.
School of the Arts applicants are asked to submit their personal statement/artist statement through the University Graduate Application.
Three letters of reference are required for each program and should be submitted online by your recommenders. In your University Graduate Application, you will enter the recommender names and email addresses to send a message requesting the reference. Letters of recommendation from professional associates such as instructors, supervisors, or colleagues should address the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes.
If offered admission, you will be directed and required to submit to the VCU Admissions Office an official transcript from any institution from which a degree has been awarded to finalize your admission. Transcripts are considered official if they are sent to VCU directly from the issuing institution.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 843051
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2526
Official transcripts that are not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request English translations of diplomas prior to granting admission.
All official transcripts and relevant credentials (e.g., diplomas and marksheets) will be required if admitted.
Test scores
GRE scores are required for the following program:
PhD in Education with an Art Education concentration
Scores must be directly reported to VCU by testing agencies. You can submit student copies pending receipt of official scores. An official copy must be received before a final offer of admission can be made. The school code for admission testing is 5570.
GRE scores are no longer required for the MA in Art History and MAE in Art Education programs.
GRE scores are not required for MFA programs.
If the program you are applying to requires a portfolio, you will receive an email following submission of the University application with additional instructions. A link to the portfolio upload can also be found in your applicant portal following submission of your University application.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be sure to review additional requirements on the International Admissions graduate student page.
Specific program requirements
Statement of Intent
A statement of purpose, approximately 500-750 words in length, that briefly describes the applicant’s interest in graduate study and research, indicating an avenue of inquiry that the applicant expects to explore. The statement also should include the applicant’s professional goals beyond graduate study and explain why VCU art education is suited to the applicant’s interests. The applicant should indicate which track of the MAE program is desired: the track designed for practicing art teachers or the MAE+ track, which allows students to earn both the MAE degree and teacher license at the same time. Please also indicate the preferred enrollment as either full-time or part-time and describe any previous teaching experiences.
Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Include education, work experience, exhibitions, curatorial activity, residencies/fellowships, honors and awards, organization membership. If you have a website, please include a link in your cv/resume.
Portfolio
10-15 images of personal or student work. Please show both breadth of media competency as well as depth of ability in at least one area. Write a caption for each work and clearly indicate if it is your work or student work.
Letters of Recommendation
Please solicit letters from 3 faculty college professors or supervisors who can assess your ability to succeed in a writing-based graduate program. Letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by recommenders.
For general required materials, please view application instructions on the School of Education’s website.
In addition to general requirements, applicants to the Art Education concentration must also submit an academic writing sample (e.g., thesis chapter or scholarly paper) with their application. Applicants may also be asked for an interview with members of the admissions committee. If an applicant is interested in obtaining licensure while working toward the Ph.D., it should be indicated on the application materials.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with the track coordinator prior to applying. Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School by January 15 for Fall admission to the Art Education Doctoral Program. Earlier applications may increase opportunity and consideration for funding through graduate assistantships.
- A statement of purpose, 750-1000 words in length, that briefly recounts applicant’s academic background, describes an avenue of inquiry that the applicant expects to explore, notes applicant’s professional goals beyond graduate study and explains why VCU art history is suited to applicant’s interests
- A research/writing sample that has a clearly articulated thesis statement, identifies and interprets primary and/or secondary sources in support of a well-argued thesis, and offers a coherent, cohesive narrative
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which are from faculty members who can assess the applicant’s preparation and promise for graduate work (Some applicants may choose to solicit the third letter from a museum professional who has supervised the applicant’s professional work in a museum setting.)
- A current resume or CV
Personal statement
Please submit your statement on the University Graduate Application.
Curriculum vitae/resume
Please submit your CV/resume on the University Graduate Application. If applicant has a website, please include a link in your CV/resume.
Writing sample
This should be a 3-5 page (minimum) sample of academic writing.
Portfolio
A Portfolio is only required if you have a background in design or the arts; however, even if you do not have a background in design or the arts, we highly encourage you to present any creative work you might have completed as a hobby, such as photography, home crafting projects, creative writing, poetry, art classes at a local museum, etc.
Your Portfolio should contain 15 images of design projects that exemplify awareness, understanding, and competency in creative design, graphic skills, and technical ability.
Your portfolio will be submitted via SlideRoom. Specific technical guidelines regarding the submission of digital images, video files, sound files, and text files are available in the SlideRoom system. SlideRoom charges applicants $10 to upload the portfolio. Click the SlideRoom tab in the menu bar above.
An artist statement
Please submit your statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on the applicant’s practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art/theoretical discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish after VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio
The portfolio should include 20 still and/or moving images. Moving images should be edited to no more than three minutes. Please include the date, materials, and dimensions for each image submitted. Each image can be accompanied by a brief written description that may articulate relevant information about the work.
Interview
The department will contact selected applicants regarding an interview which may be conducted via zoom/skype, telephone, or in-person.
A statement of intent
Please submit your statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on the applicant’s practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish at VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio for review
Portfolio should include 20 still and/or moving images. Each image, film and video can be accompanied by a brief written description that may include the date, materials, dimensions and/or other relevant information about the work. Images submitted should be an accurate representation of finished artwork.
An artist statement
Please submit your statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on the applicant’s practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art/theoretical discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish after VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio
Portfolio should include 20 moving images, stills, sound files or links, of at least three different projects. Each item should be accompanied by a brief written description that may include the date, medium, or other relevant information about the work. Excerpts are encouraged for longer videos but please refrain from trailers or sizzle reels.
An artist statement
Please submit your artist statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on your practice and research interests, while also addressing your goals with respect to graduate school and what you hope to accomplish at VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio
The portfolio should include 20 still and/or moving images. Moving images should be edited to no more than three minutes. Please include the date, materials, and dimensions for each image submitted. Each image can be accompanied by a brief written description that may articulate relevant information about the work.
An artist statement
Please submit your statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on the applicant’s practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art/theoretical discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish after VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio
The portfolio should include 20 still and/or moving images. Moving images should be edited to no more than three minutes. Please include the date, materials, and dimensions for each image submitted. Each image can be accompanied by a brief written description that may articulate relevant information about the work.
An artist statement
Please submit your artist statement in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application. This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on your practice and research interests, while also addressing your goals with respect to graduate school and what you hope to accomplish at VCU.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
Curriculum vitae/resume
Portfolio
The portfolio should include 20 still and/or moving images. Moving images should be edited to no more than three minutes. Please include the date, materials, and dimensions for each image submitted. Each image can be accompanied by a brief written description that may articulate relevant information about the work.
Artist statement
Please submit your artist statement in the personal statement section on the University Graduate Application.
Curriculum vitae/resume
Please submit your CV/resume on the University Graduate Application. If applicant has a website, please include a link in your CV/resume.
Writing Sample
This requirement is usually a research paper (preferably in Theatre) from previous undergraduate or MA coursework.
Interview
Required
Audition Type
Required for Performance Pedagogy students.
International applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be sure to review additional requirements on the International Admissions graduate student page. Please also note that International Applicants should submit their application materials one month before the deadline listed above to ensure that all application materials are received by the deadline.
Questions?
Please contact artsgrad@vcu.edu with any questions or view our graduate admissions FAQ.