Graduate Design & Production Admissions

The UNCSA School of Design & Production (D&P) offers Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degrees in several concentrations. Applicants must meet the minimum educational requirements.

An interview with faculty is required for admission. Interviews are scheduled after an application is complete. Applicants should arrive prepared to discuss their portfolio. Admission is based on a combination of artistic and academic merits.

Application Deadlines

Current application information: The application is currently open on a rolling basis for the School of Design & Production graduate programs. Moving forward, applicants who successfully complete the requirements listed below will be reviewed for admission until the program is no longer able to consider additional applicants.

To be reviewed for admission, the following criteria must be met:

  • A completed application is submitted
  • Application fee is paid
  • Required Application Documents are uploaded (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)

Previous deadlines:

  • Wednesday, November 1, 2023 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m.)

Required Interview

Admissions contacts candidates to schedule an interview. Due to the limited number of available interview slots, Admissions contacts candidates on a "first to apply, first to schedule" basis. 

In-person, On-campus

Interview Dates

  • Friday, November 10, 2023
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  • Friday, December 8, 2023
  • Friday, February 2, 2024
  • Friday, February 23, 2024

Location:

  • Applicants emailed 72 hours prior with the day's agenda and tips for preparing.
  • Applicants should prepare to be on the UNCSA campus from 12 (noon) - 6:30 p.m.

Information Session

  • In-person information session included in the day's agenda.

Virtual (Zoom)

Applicants will be provided links for attending an interview and a required virtual Q&A session.

Interview Date

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023

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  • Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • 3-4 p.m. ET on Monday, November 27, 2023

Interview Date

  • Wednesday, January 24, 2024

  • Wednesday, February 7, 2024

  • Wednesday, February 28, 2024

  • Wednesday,
    April 10, 2024

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • 3-4 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2024


Off-campus Opportunities

Representatives from Design & Production are available to speak with interested candidates at industry events and in select cities. An off-campus meeting provides an opportunity to learn more about the school or get feedback on a portfolio. Candidates with complete applications may contact Admissions to inquire if an official interview could be scheduled at one of the locations listed below. 

Ripley Grier Studios
520 8th Ave
NYC, NY 10018

Room: Studio 17F

January 27-28, 2024

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport, LAX
5985 W. Century Blvd.LA, CA  90045
Room: Temecula

Friday, February 9, 2024

Saturday, February 10, 2024

SETC
Annual Conference

March 13-17, 2024 - (Mobile, AL)

USITT
Annual Conference

March 20-23, 2024 - (Seattle, WA)

Admissions Criteria

Prerequisites

Applicants to all graduate Design & Production programs should have completed an undergraduate degree or be scheduled for completion of a degree prior to the upcoming Fall semester.

Test Scores (International Applicants)

International Applicants
International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Minimum score requirements are:

  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • Duolingo English Test: 100

Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents

1. Complete the online application.

2. Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for international applicants or non-resident aliens. Application fees are non-refundable.

Payment Options

  • Online: Follow payment instructions at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
  • Check or Money Order (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of the applicant to the Office of Admissions.
  • International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay your application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.

3. Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.

Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Design & Production, Filmmaking and Music), a second completed application and application fee are required.