Graduate Admission
Master of Arts in Graphic Design & Interior Design
The School of Art & Design welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to apply to its graduate programs, including those with undergraduate degrees in design or other areas of visual arts, and those whose undergraduate degrees are not in arts-related disciplines i.e. science, business, etc. Applicants’ academic and professional experience will determine program length. Those without previous visual arts training should expect to complete preparatory coursework. Please note that the information below is specific to applicants to the Master of Arts in Graphic Design & Interior Design. For complete application requirements please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions.Application Overview
- Applicants must complete ALL admission requirements as outlined by Graduate Admission.
- Applicants must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution (or international equivalent).
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75
- No standardized test is required as part of the admission process for these programs.
- International Students must also take the TOEFL or IELTS exam and provide a statement of financial resources. All international students must be enrolled full-time.
- Applicants who have an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in any field may apply to a graduate program only; they are not eligible to apply to the BFA programs.
- Applicants to Masters programs in Design must submit a portfolio or complete equivalent coursework through Continuing Education.
- Personal interviews are by appointment only. Interviews are required for Graphic Design applicants and recommended for Interior Design applicants.
- Fall application deadline is June 15. Spring application deadline is November 1. After these deadlines, applications will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Get an Application
Portfolio Requirements
The Portfolio* is a requirement of applicants to the Master of Arts in Graphic Design & Interior Design programs. The Portfolio should contain only the best and most recent work. Please review the Portfolio Guidelines to determine what is and what is not an appropriate submission.Portfolio Guidelines for the Master of Arts in Interior Design
- Applicants to the Master of Arts in Interior Design must submit a portfolio consisting of 12 to 15 pieces of recent, original artwork demonstrating both technical competency and creative ability.
- Applicants with prior studio background, who are seeking exemption from Foundation or Foundational design coursework, should submit a significantly more extensive portfolio.
- All portfolios are reviewed by the graduate faculty to determine subject matter competency.
- Portfolios may be submitted with the application or during the personal interview.
Portfolio Guidelines for the Master of Arts in Graphic Design
- Applicants to the Master of Arts in Graphic Design must submit a portfolio consisting of 20 high resolution PDF files of recent, original artwork demonstrating both technical competency and creative ability.
- Portfolios must be presented on CD and submitted with the completed application.
- Applicants with prior studio background, who are seeking exemption from Foundation or Foundational Graphic Design coursework, should submit a significantly more extensive portfolio.
- All portfolios are reviewed by the graduate faculty to determine subject matter competency.
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If you don’t have a portfolio
- Academically qualified applicants without a substantial background in the visual arts may be required to complete Foundation-level courses (Foundation Drawing I, 2-Dimensional Design) as Continuing Education students before applying to the Master of Arts programs in Graphic Design or Interior Design.
- If an applicant is subsequently accepted to the program, credits earned as a Continuing Education student may be used to waive preparatory requirements. Graduate faculty members review all portfolio materials to determine subject matter competency. All other admission requirements, including an interview with the appropriate Graduate Program Director, apply.
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Pre-Graduate Summer Program is a 10-week intensive program designed to prepare those without visual arts background for entering the Masters programs. This program is offered through the School of Art & Design’s Continuing Education Division.
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For more information about pursuing Continuing Education studies prior to applying for the Master’s Degree in Graphic Design or Interior Design, please contact the Continuing Education Division at 617-994-4235 or 617-994-4233.
Contact Information
Office of Graduate AdmissionSuffolk University
8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108-2770
Phone: 617-573-8302
Email: grad.admission@suffolk.edu
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