Visual Art

To begin the application process, visit IU Indianapolis' online graduate application.

Apple Safari and Google Chrome users must enable pop-ups and third-party cookies in order for the application to function properly.

Although our M.F.A. Visual Art degree program is interdisciplinary by nature, students may choose to focus in a certain area. In the "Academic Plan" section of the online application, if you know a studio area in which you would like to emphasize, you may select it under "Concentration."

You will be asked to provide contact details (i.e. names, street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) of three recommenders – faculty members or professional references – who will submit letters of recommendation through the online application system.

Recommenders will only receive an electronic request after you've submitted your online application. In the online framework, they will be asked to discuss your aspects of your academic or professional performance, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Recommenders must submit their recommendations electronically.

Be prepared to submit a 500- to 750-word personal statement outlining your reasons for applying to the visual art master's degree program, including a concise overview of your previous experiences that qualify you for the program as well as your future career goals.

Additionally, upload your résumé outlining your professional and other relevant pursuits.

Official transcripts from each institution you attended must be sent to Herron's Office of Admissions and Student Services. Official transcripts must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and completion of a bachelor's degree.

If you are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree when you apply, a transcript showing your academic record through your current term of study is acceptable. If admitted to Herron, you must submit a final, official transcript verifying the completion and award of your degree.

For international students, if the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts.

Submitting electronic transcripts

If your institution(s) can submit official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to hadmit@iu.edu.

If your school is sending limited-time login credentials that allow us to access their transcript system, be sure to make your request during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST).

Emailed unofficial PDFs of transcripts will not be accepted.

Submitting mailed hard copies

If there is an extenuating circumstance preventing the submission of official electronic transcripts, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at hadmit@iu.edu with an explanation and a representative will provide detailed mailing instructions.

Submit 15-20 images online at herron.slideroom.com, including time-based media.

Proof of English proficiency is required for international students unless the applicant and undergraduate degree is from a university that is located in a country where English is the official language.

Most commonly, students submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. TOEFL scores must total 79 or higher on the internet-based test (550 or higher on the paper-based test). IELTS scores must total 6.5 or higher.

Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to IU Indianapolis by the testing agency. The IU Indianapolis reporting code for TOEFL is 1325. Other tests or ELS coursework may be accepted in order to verify English proficiency.

For a list of all options and minimum scores required, please see the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs English Requirements.

For a full list of required documents, please visit the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs.