Study with Illinois’ renowned faculty
Study with renowned faculty.
Access world-class facilities.
Experience hands-on learning.
At the University of Illinois School of Art & Design, master’s and doctoral students will enjoy the benefits of a small tight-knit community at a large top-ranked university. Our programs offer a variety of degrees that range from creative practice to education to research and scholarship. Here, we have passionate mentors, personal studio spaces, funding opportunities, and access to many more resources and support.
Join a graduate program focused on creativity, research, and innovation in a collaborative setting. Learn more about the programs below and apply today!
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Learn more about our graduate programs
- 3-year MFA.
- Apply by January 15, 2025.
- Coursework in painting, sculpture, new media, photography, printmaking, and more.
- Access to personal studios, installation spaces, fabrication labs, woodshops, and computer and digital output labs.
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- 3-year MFA.
- Apply by January 15, 2025.
- Access to personal studios, installation spaces, fabrication labs, woodshops, and computer and digital output labs.
- Funding and teaching assistantships available.
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- 3-year MFA or 2-year MD (with STEM designation).
- Apply by January 15, 2025.
- One semester Graduate Certificate in Advanced Design Thinking also available.
- Funding and teaching assistantships available.
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- Pursue a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Education (EdM) in Art Education.
- The PhD in Art Education offers access to our remarkable resources as a Research 1 institution.
- Apply by December 15, 2024.
- Funding and teaching assistantships available.
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- Pursue a master’s or doctorate in Art History.
- Apply by December 15, 2024.
- The PhD in Art History offers access to our remarkable resources as a Research 1 institution.
- Funding and teaching assistantships available.
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The series of guest speakers and the school's collaboration with units like the Humanities Research Institution, offered incredible opportunities to meet leading artists-scholars in our fields. Access to graduate student offices and studios is fundamental for graduate students to build community in the process of the graduate degree.
Catalina Hernandez-Cabal, PhD in Art Education, Academy of Transdisciplinary Studies Faculty, Virginia Tech
I cannot count the many hours these professors mentored and cared for me in the form of meeting to discuss my work, how I was doing, how my family was, etc. I made great friendships with my classmates and became part of a large network of people who all are generous in their time and love to collaborate and support each other.
Kaleb Ostraff, PhD in Art Education, Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University Department of Art
I experienced wonderful support from my peers as well as the faculty, and had a great deal of autonomy to create my dissertation project. Having created and curated a backyard gallery with my wife during my time in school, along with getting involved in community organizations, I also found a lot of beauty and friendship in Champaign-Urbana.
Bert Stabler, PhD in Art Education, Assistant Professor at Illinois State University Wonsook Kim School of Art