Apply

Apply to George Mason through the Common Application, or directly through George Mason's online application. If, after review of your application by the Admissions office, your application is successful you will be admitted into the School of Art. No other steps are necessary.

To increase accessibility to School of Art undergraduate degrees (BA and BFA), we have lifted the portfolio requirement for incoming freshmen and transfer students.

If you have any questions, please call the main School of Art office, 703-993-8898, or email us.

To apply to the certificate program, complete the Transfer Application. Prospective students, with graphic design experience, should consider scheduling an interview with the program director, prior to applying. Students entering the certificate must be able to demonstrate basic skills in visual language and should have working knowledge of professional graphic design software, or must take certain pre-requisite courses. For full course descriptions and requirements, visit the University Catalog. 

Schedule an appointment with Bobby Yi, advisor for the graduate programs.

Undergraduates in Art may apply to the Accelerated Master's Degree in Art Education. If accepted, students will be able to earn an Art and Visual Technology, BFA and an Art Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) after satisfactory completion of 144 credits. 

Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and the completion in the Fall semester five and a half years later, but longer time frames may also be available.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

To find out more and apply to this program, please visit the College of Visual and Performing Arts Accelerated Master's Admissions page.

Undergraduates in Art may apply to the Accelerated Master's Degree in Arts Management. If accepted, students will be able to earn an Art and Visual Technology, BA and an Arts Management, MA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits. 

Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and completion of all coursework in the Summer five years later with the exception of Capstone, which is only offered in Fall and Spring. Students may need a longer timeframe to complete all requirements.

This accelerated option is offered through joint cooperation between the School of Art and the Arts Management Program.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

To find out more and apply to this program, please visit the College of Visual and Performing Arts Accelerated Master's Admissions page.

Undergraduates in Art may apply to the Accelerated Master's Degree in Arts Management. If accepted, students will be able to earn an Art and Visual Technology, BFA and an Arts Management, MA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits. 

Students choosing the accelerated option must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and completion of all coursework in the Summer five years later with the exception of Capstone, which is only offered in Fall and Spring. Students may need a longer timeframe to complete all requirements.

This accelerated option is offered through joint cooperation between the School of Art and the Arts Management Program.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

To find out more and apply to this program, please visit the College of Visual and Performing Arts Accelerated Master's Admissions page.

Request Information

In addition to meeting the general university admission requirements for graduate study, admission to this program is contingent on completion of a BFA or BA in visual art or approved equivalent. 

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT I) program may demand additional course work to establish proficiency in visual arts. Students lacking a strong background in the visual arts or pedagogy, or those who earned a BFA or BA at an institution other than George Mason, may be required to satisfy prerequisite courses prior to entry into the graduate program. Applicants must complete an endorsement worksheet through the College of Education and Human Development in order to prove that their previous coursework satisfies the state requirement of 36 art-related credits (see link below in requirements for more specifics). 

Diversity among students is another consideration for acceptance into the program. Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete additional undergraduate core, studio, and art history courses.

Specific Program Application Requirements (in addition to those above):

• Completed Endorsement Worksheet to verify state required program prerequisites have been met. (More Information.)
• Portfolio
  • Portfolio must include 15 to 20 images that reflect artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills of the applicant's art. All portfolios must include title, date, medium, and size of each work.

Deadlines: 

Fall:

• March 15 – Funding Deadline
• April 15 – Standard Deadline

Spring: 

October 15

Program Contact: 

Bobby Yi

Request Information

The Art Education Licensure Certificate (AELC) is a post-baccalaureate program designed for those who currently hold a graduate degree in an art-related field along with those who want a more immediate entrance into the art teaching profession. This "licensure only" program, which results in a pre K-12 art certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a 21-credit program consisting of graduate education courses, student teaching internships and seminar. (The MAT I is the option for Master’s plus licensure, which requires an additional six credits and is for those who do not already have a graduate degree).

International students may be required to undergo an additional audit of their undergraduate transcripts.

Eligibility

In addition to meeting the general university admission requirements, admission to this licensure program is contingent on completion of a BFA or BA in art or approved equivalent. Eligibility for the certificate may demand additional coursework to establish proficiency in visual arts. Students will be required to satisfy the required state endorsement courses prior to student teaching.

Diversity among students is another consideration for acceptance into the program. Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete undergraduate core and studio and art history courses to satisfy state endorsement requirement of 36 art-related credits (see link below in requirements for more specifics).

Specific Program Application Requirements (in addition to those above):

• Completed Endorsement Worksheet to verify state required program prerequisites have been met. (More Information.)
• Portfolio
  • Portfolio must include 15 to 20 images that reflect artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills of the applicant's art. All portfolios must include title, date, medium, and size of each work.

Deadlines: 

Fall:

• March 15 – Funding Deadline
• April 15 – Standard Deadline

Spring:

• October 15

Program Contact:

Bobby Yi

This program is not accepting applications for the Fall 2024 semester. The application will reopen for Fall 2025 admission.

Request Information

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual and Performing Arts, Concentration in Graphic Design, is a terminal degree that offers creative students a broad study of design as well as the development of skills for teaching at the university level. The 60-credit program includes courses in typography, web and motion design, user experience, and branding. Coursework in theoretical and historical design will supplement the studio experience. The broad range of study is intended to develop design educators and professionals, preparing them for the ever-evolving field of design. Admission is selective, ideal applicants should possess a BFA degree in graphic design and a significant design portfolio, reflecting professional achievement. 

Specific Program Application Requirements (in addition to those above):

• Writing Sample: Must submit a critical and/or historical essay or academic paper on a design- (preferred) or art-related topic.
• Portfolio
  • The applicant's portfolio is a major selection criterion for graduate admission and should represent the applicant's most accomplished work.
  • Portfolios should include 20 images or videos submitted through SlideRoom. Samples must be labeled with: name of artist, title and date. Videos must be playable through Slideroom and be no more than four minutes for each section. In the case of collaborative work, the applicant's role should be clearly stated.

Deadlines:

Fall consideration only

• February 15 – Funding Deadline
• March 15 – Standard Deadline

Program Contact: 

Bobby Yi

This program is not accepting applications for the Fall 2024 semester. The application will reopen for Fall 2025 admission.

Request Information

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual and Performing Arts, Concentration in Visual Arts, is a highly selective 60-credit terminal degree that prepares students to become professional artists, work in technology or arts-related fields, and teach at the university level. Coursework includes research in areas of study that include New Media, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and InterArts. Students have the opportunity to combine art forms in projects that may be installation, performance, publishing, time-based, or writing-based, and combine creative and critical approaches in their work.

Specific Program Application Requirements (in addition to those above):

• Portfolio
  • The applicant's portfolio is a major selection criterion for graduate admission and should represent the applicant's most accomplished work.
  • Portfolios should include 20 images or videos submitted through SlideRoom. Samples must be labeled with the following: name of artist, title, and date. Videos must be playable through SlideRoom and be no more than four minutes for each section. In the case of collaborative work, the applicant's role should be clearly stated.

Deadlines: 

Fall consideration only

• February 15 – Funding Deadline
• March 15 – Standard Deadline

Program Contact: 

Bobby Yi