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Master of Fine Arts

Application Requirements

How to Apply

The program’s application deadline is April 15, 2010. Classes will commence in fall 2010.

  1. Complete the application form (pdf)
  2. Gather the required materials.
  3. Submit application form and materials either via a scheduled on-campus appointment or by mail.
    • Call 614.222.3227 to schedule an on-campus appointment.
    • Mail applications to:

CCAD Graduate Admissions Office
60 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215

Required MFA Application Materials

  • Portfolio (click here for more)
  • Undergraduate transcripts
  • Project proposal (click here for more)
  • Resume or bio
  • Three letters of recommendation

Additional Recommendations

  • Campus visit (see the Visit CCAD page for more)
  • Interview

MFA candidates are not required to file for financial aid, however, those interested in exploring financial aid options should contact Director of Graduate Studies Ric Petry at 614.222.3227 or email.

International Students should see the International Students admissions page for information on additional requirements.

Portrait of a CCAD Graduate Student

Talented and motivated students who demonstrate technical and visual skills and submit an interesting and clearly presented initial project proposal will be preferred.

Applicants to the program must have attained a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and must demonstrate high visual, technical, and conceptual skills through a portfolio of work or the equivalent. (Transferring students must demonstrate a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in previous graduate study. Applicability of graduate transfer credit will be determined by the program director in consultation with the college’s registrar and provost on an individual basis.)

The organization, clarity, and creativity of the initial project proposal are as important as its actual content. Subsequent semester projects need not build on the first project, and applicants are not expected to know the form or subject of their final thesis project before entering the program.

Artists with BFA degrees are encouraged to apply. Consideration will also be given to students who do not have a BFA but can demonstrate a significant degree of visual competence and aesthetic understanding.

Portfolio Submission Tips

Portfolios should consist of 20 examples of your strongest work submitted as digital files on DVD.

Submitting Still Images:

  • If submitting individual JPGs, include a numbered checklist with the title, date, media, and dimensions of each work.
  • If submitting individual JPGs, name each digital file with your last name and a number that corresponds to the checklist.
  • If presenting your images in a slide show format please use Power Point, Keynote, or PDF. Be sure to include with each image the title, date, media, and dimensions of each work.

Submitting Time-Based Work:

  • All time-based work must be submitted on DVD.
  • Applicants submitting time-based work in excess of 15 minutes should submit a cued-up sample video along with the full-length work.
  • Portfolios of interactive media should submit a disk with the entire interactive piece or a URL for its Web site.

Misc.

  • If a work was a collaborative effort, you must include your role in its creation and development.

Tips for Writing Your Project Proposal

The curriculum of the New Projects MFA is project-based. Each student will be working on a personal project each semester, and this project will form the foundation of your work in the program.

As a major part of your application please describe the first project you would like to undertake in the program. Be as clear and specific as possible. Although we request that your answers be in written form, we would also like to view appropriate visual supporting materials. This could include Web sites, videos, images, audio recordings, or other materials. Your project proposal will be judged not only on its creativity and originality but also on its clarity, organization, and presentation. Remember that your initial project will need to be completed in one semester, so scope and feasibility will be an issue.

Please address the following questions in your proposal:

  1. Briefly and clearly describe the project. Please include a short narrative about the work or research that has led you to this interest. Also include visual documentation of your own or others' work that has influenced this proposal.
  2. Discuss the historical, critical, or cultural contexts for and influences on your proposal.
  3. What media/methodology will your project involve?
  4. What resources (facilities/instruction) do you anticipate needing? (What can CCAD offer you to complete your project?)

To apply, or for more information about the program, contact Director of Graduate Studies Ric Petry at 614.222.3227 or email.