Apply to the MFA Program

The MFA is a three-year or equivalent degree (60 s.h.). Assessments of progress are provided annually. The preferred undergraduate degree for admission to the MFA is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in art. Applicants holding other bachelor’s degrees may apply if they have undergraduate studio art experience and/or an exemplary portfolio and statement of objectives.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent creative work and a strong interest in engaging within an interdisciplinary creative environment.

Students applying for the MFA program must identify three potential faculty mentors with whom they wish to work. In the statement of objectives, applicants should discuss their current work, intentions for pursuing MFA studies, and their reasons for selecting the identified faculty mentors.

Applicants are encouraged to connect with graduate faculty to introduce themselves and gain insights into the program. Details about the application portfolio requirements are provided below. Virtual interviews will be scheduled once all application materials have been submitted.

Please note that standardized test scores are not required for admission to the MFA program.

 
Application materials include:

For ECU Application Portal (TargetX)
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts
  • Upload a PDF using the provided template in TargetX:
    • Prospective Faculty Mentors
      • List three prospective graduate faculty mentors from the School of Art and Design.
      • View faculty directory here: SoAD Graduate Faculty
      • We strongly encourage you to reach out to your prospective mentors before submitting your application.
      • Indicate in the form whether each faculty member has accepted your request to be listed as a potential mentor.
    • References
      • Provide contact information for three references (academic or professional).
    • Portfolio Link
      • Include the URL to your digital portfolio via Google Drive – ensure the link is shareable with soad_gr@ecu.edu
    • Statement of Objective
      • Submit a brief statement describing your reasons for applying to ECU’s MFA program.
      • Be sure to include your rationale for selecting your listed faculty mentors.

 

Additional Requirements (outside TargetX)

A creative portfolio, list of work, resume, and maker/designer statement (PDF only) must be uploaded using the applicant’s Google Drive (instructions below). Copy the URL for this Google Drive folder and enter it in the form where specified.

  • Digital Portfolio (PDF)
    • Submit one PDF file containing exactly 20 examples of your creative work.
    • For time-based media (video, audio, animation), include a thumbnail image with a URL to the hosted file (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive).
    • Do not submit PowerPoint (.pptx) or Word (.docx) files.
  • List of Works (PDF)
    • Upload a separate listing with the following information for each piece in your portfolio:
      1. Title
      2. Medium
      3. Dimensions or duration, as applicable
      4. Date
      5. Any other relevant context or brief description
  • Resume (PDF)
    • Provide a resume in reverse chronological order (most recent experience first).
    • Include the URL to your website if available.
  • Maker/Designer Statement (PDF)
    • Submit a brief statement reflecting on your creative practice—your values, methods, influences, and what drives your work as a maker or designer.

 

Portfolio Submission Process
  1. Go to drive.google.com and log in to your account.
  2. Create a folder named GradAppECU_YourName to upload your portfolio.
  3. Upload a digital portfolio containing ONLY 20 examples of work in a single PDF file. Time-based work must be linked to its hosting site, and the URL must be included with its thumbnail. Do not submit pptx or docx.
  4. When you finish uploading your portfolio and the additional required items noted above, go to the Share setting for the folder. You may do this by clicking on the folder from the top menu (My Drive > GradAppECU_YourName) and selecting the Share option.
  5. In the Share dialog box, enter soad_gr@ecu.edu in the address field, then choose the share option to Viewer, and click Send.
  6. Your portfolio is now submitted. Copy the URL for this shared folder and enter it in the Portfolio field in TargetX where specified.

Completed applications are due February 1 to be considered for assistantship and scholarship funding.

For more information, please contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator soad_gr@ecu.edu 252 328.2839‬

Apply Today

 

 

FAQ

We put together a list of answers to the frequently asked questions. Please check it out!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Follow us on social media!

Check out fun happenings in our Graduate Program.
Give us a follow and we’ll follow back!

Instagram