Application Procedures for

The KSU School of Art

Graduate Programs

DEADLINES

The School of Art has a rolling admission policy. However, for competitive programs and the awarding of assistantships it is hghly advisable that applicants meet the deadlines. We do not use waitlists. Therefore, once a program is full, you will be denied admission. At the discretion of the faculty, you may be given the option of moving your application to a later semester.

Application Deadlines:
Spring Admission - October 15
Fall Admission - February 2
*Art Education Fall Deadline - April 15

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Step 1:              

Go to the Graduate Applications website

Graduate Admissions

and complete your online application reading instructions carefully. Be sure to only list those institutions for which you have attended and earned more than 8 credit hours.  You will be required to send a copy of your transcripts from every institution you list even if these credits were transferred to the degree granting university.

Step 2: Below is a list of specific materials required for your concentration of study.

All materials with the exception of the portfolio should be sent to:

  Division of Graduate Studies
Cartwright Hall
650 Hilltop Drive
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242

When you have received your confirmation, please email either Ms. Lisa Everson, Graduate Secretary, or Michael Loderstedt, Graduate Coordinator, so that we may provide you with individualized attention and answer any questions you may have. 

If you experience any problems with this application process, please contact Graduate Admissions. Once you have started your application, you will receive a series of automated emails from Graduate Admissions informing you of your progress and any materials that are missing.  If at any time you have questions concerning these emails please contact Graduate Studies, Gradapps@kent.edu, 330-672-2661.

For those applicants interested in applying for one of our Graduate Assistant opportunities, please download this Graduate Assistantship Application and include it with your submissions to Graduate Studies.

Required materials for application in the School of Art Graduate Programs          

The School of Art requires a digital portfolio for M.A. / M.F.A. applicants in Studio Art, Crafts, and Art Education. Please read instructions for submission carefully.

• Three letters of recommendation from persons who are themselves in your proposed area of study or a closely related field should be sent to the Research and Graduate Studies address listed above.

•  A portfolio that shows an emphasis in the proposed area of studio interest. The portfolio should consist of 20 color images. Digital images must be 100dpi(at least) jpgs and under 1MB each. Digital images should be accompanied by a numbered reference list that indicates medium, process, size, year and any other appropriate information. Portfolios are not required for applicants to the program in Art History.  Art Education applicant’s portfolios should be a mix of their work and their student’s works. Portfolios are to be emailed to Lisa Everson, lheld2@kent.edu.
  • Please choose one of the following methods for submission of your portfolio.
    - email digital portfolio in the form of a zipped file or Power Point to lheld2@kent.edu.
    - load PDF of digital images or Power Point onto Google Docs and share with Lisa Everson - lheld2@kent.edu
    - submit the URL for a portfolio website.
  • If the options above are not possible for you, please mail CD portfolio to:
    Graduate Secretary
    School of Art
    Kent State University
    P.O. Box 5190
    Kent, OH 44242
• Goals Statements, of varying emphasis are required for students applying in all programs.  
  Art Education Majors:  Submit a “philosophy of art education” statement of between 250-500 words.
  Studio Majors in Crafts and Fine Arts: Submit a 250-500 word “artist statement” and a resume’ that includes exhibitions and relevant experience.  
  Art History Majors: Submit a “statement of purpose” of approximately 250 words and indicate the proposed area of specialization within the art history curriculum.