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.

Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s statement of objectives, portfolio, academic records, references, and virtual interview. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to carry out independent creative work and a desire to work within an interdisciplinary creative setting. Students interested in applying for the MFA degree must identify two to three potential faculty mentors with whom they would like to study. Applicants’ statement of objectives must discuss the applicant’s current work, purpose and intention for MFA studies, and identify two to three School of Art and Design graduate faculty with whom they wish to work. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to graduate faculty to introduce themselves and learn more about the program. The application portfolio requirements are listed below. Virtual interviews are scheduled after all the applicant’s materials have been submitted. The MFA degree does not require standardized test scores to apply.

The directory of graduate faculty can be found here: [SoAD Graduate Faculty].

Application materials include:

For ECU Application Portal (TargetX)
  • Online application form
  • A statement of objective (reason for pursuing graduate studies at ECU)
  • Application fee
  • A list of three prospective SoAD graduate faculty mentors
  • A list of three references, academic or professional
  • Transcripts
  • Additional requirements: A creative portfolio, list of work, resume, and maker/designer statement must be uploaded using the applicant’s Google Drive. (instructions below) Copy the URL for this Google Drive folder and enter it in the required field in TargetX application form.
    • 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 accompanying its thumbnail. Do not submit pptx or docx.
    • A list of works with title, medium, size, date, and other relevant information (pdf)
    • Resume in reverse chronological order (pdf)
    • A maker/designer statement (pdf)
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 accompanying 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 eos@ecu.edu in the address field, then choose the share option to Can view, and click Send. It will ask you to confirm the invitation, and you need to click Yes. Email invitation will be sent to eos@ecu.edu with this confirmation.
  6. Your portfolio is now submitted; receipt confirmation will be sent to you within 2 days.

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

For more information, please contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator, Seo Eo eos@ecu.edu 252 328 6281

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