Overview

Please do not send ANY application materials by regular mail; the admissions process is entirely online. Applications and any application material submitted after this deadline will not be reviewed for admission. All application materials will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the program to which the candidate has applied. Reviews will be finalized by mid-March 2025. Applicants will be notified by email shortly after.

How to Apply

Apply via the Graduate College.

Eligible domestic minority applicants may request an application fee waiver via FreeApp.

Prospective international students must review this important international application information.

The GRE and GMAT exams are not required.

Application Material

Please upload the following:

1. Transcripts: Upload (unofficial) scans of transcripts/academic records (and scans of  diplomas or certificates of degrees if your degree is awarded).
2. Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. All letters should be submitted online by the recommenders. The letters should provide information regarding the applicant’s maturity, dependability, and potential for teaching, in addition to evaluating the applicant’s scholarly achievements and potential.
3. Resume: Include relevant employment, internships, teaching and research experience, awards, record of scholarship and publications. Add where and when you attended high school. This information will assist in consideration for graduate fellowship awards and graduate appointment positions.
4. Personal Statement: This statement of 1000 words or less should describe your academic background and other relevant experience in relation to your academic interests and goals.
5. Writing Sample: The Art Education Program requires a sample of academic writing for EdM, MA, and PhD applicants. The writing sample should be a recent example of scholarly work demonstrating the applicant’s strengths as a researcher and writer. Please limit the sample to 25 pages.
6. For international and non-native English-speaking applicants:  TOEFL/IELTS test scores for admission. For information about university English proficiency requirements go here.
   • The School of Art & Design’s English proficiency standards are higher than the general campus requirements: for Limited Status Admission we require a minimum total TOEFL score of 96 iBT, or a 6.5-7.0 IELTS score.
   • Test scores have to be dated after August 26, 2023.
   • Test scores have to be received by the application deadline of December 15, 2024.
   • Students admitted on limited status will be required to take an English Placement Test (EPT) shortly after arrival on campus. Depending on the results of this test, Limited Status students may be asked to take additional English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Financial Aid and Funding

Funding packages are available for students in most programs. International and/or non-native English speakers are considered for a funding package only when:

1. They submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) speaking subsection test score of at least 24, or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) speaking subsection test score of at least 8.0, with tests dated after August 26, 2023. Test scores need to be submitted to school code 1836 by the deadline of December 15, 2024. This is required even when the applicant is exempt from showing these scores for admission purposes. Duolingo test results are not considered for funding consideration. For more details and exemptions, please go here
2. Their admission application includes completed proof of funding paperwork, submitted by the deadline of December 15, 2024.

The School of Art and Design offers several types of financial support:

• Graduate Fellowships are competitive awards granted by either the School of Art and Design or the University of Illinois Graduate College to degree candidates who have demonstrated especially strong academic achievement and have outstanding future potential.  Fellowship stipends range from $10,000 to $25,000 for the academic year and include a full waiver of tuition and a partial waiver of university campus fees. A fellowship is a gift and requires no service.
• Graduate Assistantships include Teaching Assistant, Graduate Assistant (often technical support), and Research Assistant positions. They are available to students in good standing. Currently a nine-month 25% graduate appointment offers a monthly stipend of at least $1,226.67 (before taxes) for the academic year ($11,040.03 is the total stipend). The appointment requires 10 hours a week of service. These graduate appointments include a full waiver of tuition and a partial waiver of university campus fees.