MFA in Art | Application
Admission to our program is a two-part process. You must complete both the Cal State Apply University application and the Department of Art SlideRoom application to be considered for graduate admissions.
Part 1
- Please follow all the University requirements and instructions outlined in the Graduate Student Application Checklist
- International students please also review these frequently asked questions and the International Graduate Eligibility Requirements.
- Applicants whose undergraduate degree was completed in a country where English is not the primary language must submit proof of English language proficiency. Please review the Office of Admissions website for specific program exam requirements and benchmarks.
Part 2
Slideroom Application: https://csufvisualarts.slideroom.com
SlideRoom Graduate Application Includes:
- Applicant Information: Name, Address, Email, Website, Phone, Country of Citizenship, Area of Concentration.
- Undergraduate Education Information
- Artist Statement
- Statement of Purpose
- Copies of Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Portfolio
- If needed, submit proof of English language proficiency
See below for more information.
Undergraduate Education Information
Preferably a BA or BFA in Art, but other degrees may be considered. The portfolio is the most critical element in the admissions process. Applicants with degrees in other fields are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate a strong body of work and proficiency in studio practice.
Artist Statement (500 words or less)
Your artist statement should be written in the first person and focus on the creative work you are submitting. Consider discussing the conceptual, formal, or technical aspects of your work or artistic process. This could include inspirations, methods, tools, and techniques, as well as formal strategies you use. You may also highlight connections to culture, personal narratives, art history, theory, or other contemporary issues. The goal is to give faculty reviewers a clear understanding of what matters most to you as an artist.
Statement of Purpose
(1000 words or less)
Please respond to the questions below, focusing on the aspects most relevant to you and your application. You are not required to answer every question, but rather address those that best reflect your experiences and goals.
- Why have you chosen this specific graduate program at CSUF? How does it align with your academic and creative goals, and why is it the best place for you to pursue them?
- What are your main areas of interest within the field of Art? This could include conceptual, formal, cultural, social, political, or community-based pursuits. Please also mention any interdisciplinary interests, and if you have identified CSUF faculty you would like to work with.
- What experiences have prepared you for graduate study in your chosen field? Consider discussing aspects such as your personal background, artistic work or journey, cultural heritage, gender identity, educational experiences, teaching, employment, community service, research, or international experiences. How have these experiences helped you develop the relevant skills needed to pursue a graduate degree?
- What are your career goals after completing this degree, and how do you see this program helping you achieve those goals?
Copy of Transcripts
Please upload a PDF copy of your unofficial transcripts for review. If you are accepted the University will require official transcripts before you may attend the University.
Letters of Recommendation
You will need to enter the contact information of two individuals who are familiar with you and your work and able to address your potential for graduate study. Often these are current or former professors, or arts professionals who have worked with you for an extended period of time and can provide additional support for your application. SlideRoom will contact these individuals directly. Please be sure to ask your recommenders in advance and provide them with information about the program for which you are applying.
Portfolio
Applicants may submit up to 20 files total. (This can include images, videos, audio files, and/or links to web-based or other online projects.) *Please note that SlideRoom requires a minimum of 10 files to be uploaded.
Portfolios should include your strongest recently completed work from the last 2-3 years. We suggest submitting a portfolio that highlights a well-developed series of works, rather than a sampling of all your creative work. The portfolio is a critical element in the admissions process and should demonstrate a strong body of work and proficiency in your particular studio practice.
- Images: You may submit .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, or .tga files under 5 MB. You can upload images with any dimensions, as SlideRoom resizes images larger than 1280 x 1280 x 72 ppi. If you are including images of installation work or performance work please use the "Additional details" field to provide context.
- Video and Audio Work: You can upload files directly or you can provide links to your media. If media is set to private we will be unable to retrieve it. Please enable public access to your work in YouTube/ Vimeo/ SoundCloud. The combined duration of all submitted video and audio work must not exceed 10 minutes. If you are including excerpts of videos please use the "Additional details" field to provide context.
- Links: For links to web-based and/or other online projects, including AR, please paste your link into a document and upload a pdf. Please use the "Additional details" field to provide any instructions or context needed.
