UIC School of Art and Design has MFA programs in Electronic Visualization, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Moving Image, Photography, and Studio Arts. These are highly competitive international programs that accept new students in the Fall of each year. Graduate catalogues are available online: http://www.uic.edu/gcat or for purchase through the UIC Bookstore.

The next term for which you may apply is Fall 2008.

If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss our programs, please contact Jennifer Reeder, Director of Graduate Studies, jreeder@uic.edu 312.355.7921. The first and last two weeks of each semester are extremely busy so appointments are not possible. You are, however, invited to attend the MFA end of semester critiques. These take place in early December and early May, and are open to Chicago area artists and designers as well as prospective applicants.

Applicants interested in the majors of film or animation should contact our Graduate Advisor, Mara Kreuger, prior to submitting an application.
Our Moving Image and Electronic Visualization programs both address time-based media. Mara will help you to determine which program best suits your interests. marak@uic.edu

How to apply
The School of Art and Design accepts all of the official forms published by the UIC Graduate College. The Application for Graduate Appointment may be downloaded from the following Graduate College website:
http://grad.uic.edu

The UIC School of Art and Design Graduate Program is self-managed. Please send all materials, including transcripts, directly to the mailing address of the School, rather than the University Admissions Office.

University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Art and Design (MC036)
Graduate Admissions
929 W Harrison Street, 106 Jefferson Hall
Chicago IL 60607

We strongly encourage application by our December 15 priority deadline.
Our final application deadline is February 1. Please note: this is earlier than most Graduate College deadlines and includes International applicants.

Financial Aid
Financial Aid is very competitive and is usually awarded on a semester only basis. The exceptions to this are the Fellowships, which are a 9 or 12-month appointment. The priority deadline for applicants who would like to be considered for Graduate College Fellowships is December 15, 2007. Application materials must be postmarked by this date to be considered for the first round of Fellowship awards.

If you are applying for a Fellowship, you must have final grades posted from your school. If you attended a school that utilized a Pass/Fail grading system you must submit grading sheets from your professors indicating letter grade equivalents. Financial aid is the responsibility of each graduate student and it is encouraged that applicants fill out financial aid forms early to cover tuition, fees and other school expenses.

When all application packets and portfolios have been received by the School of Art and Design the various materials are processed according to priority. Portfolios, letters of recommendation, artist statement, etc, are retained within the department until called for by each area for the portfolio review. It is imperative that all your application materials arrive by the December 15 or the February 1 deadline in order to have your portfolio reviewed by the faculty committee for your area.

A complete file and a portfolio review is required for acceptance into any program. Please use the following guidelines when preparing your application packet and portfolio.

Portfolio Requirements
Studio Arts and Photography
12 slides in a plastic slide sheet, with a descriptive list
and/or one VHS or DVD up to six minutes in length

Moving Image
one VHS or DVD sample up to six minutes in length

Graphic Design
A Mac compatible CD with four PDF files:
1] portfolio with 12 images saved as single PDF document at maximum 144 dpi, 2] descriptive list, 3] resume and 4] statement of intent.

Industrial Design
12 images on PC compatible CD, include clearly organized opening & viewing instructions, and descriptive list

Electronic Visualization
one VHS video or DVD up to six minutes, include clearly organized opening & viewing instructions, and descriptive list

How to label your slide portfolio
All slides must be labeled in the following manner:
1) lower left corner: red dot;
2) indicate top of slide;
3) your first initial & last name;
4) area to which you are applying.
note: photo labs indicate 'screen side' on slide mount; write on the other side.

All CDs and DVDs must be submitted in a protective case. Label both CD and case with your first initial & last name and the area to which you are applying.

All videos must be labeled with your first initial & last name, title and running time of the piece and the area to which you are applying. This information must be clearly printed on a label glued to the spine of the video.

Mail everything in one package at the same time directly to the UIC School of Art and Design. Do not send originals in any form, including books or other publications, framed, mounted or matted artwork. If a slide list is required include the following data for each piece of artwork: 1) title, 2) media, 3) dimensions, 4) date of completion or installation.

all applicants must submit
An application and fee $50.00 fee ($60.00 international) you may apply online, or download and print the Graduate College application, and mail it in with your portfolio, etc. transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended, sealed with College Registrar's stamp international students must send sealed original language transcripts along with certified English translations artists statement typewritten, single page, double spaced, must include your name at the top of the page and the area to which you are applying. letters of recommendation three are required, from former professors or professional colleagues resume or CV current, with recent exhibition or professional experience included, as well as updated contact information including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

additional items
If you wish portfolio materials to be returned, include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage.

International Students
Original results of TOEFL scores are required. TOEFL scores and Certified Financial Documentation is required at the same time as all other application materials. Do not wait until the results of the portfolio review are released before sending these documents.

We have no special financial aid designated for international students. International students are required to certify that they can provide for their own tuition, fees and living expense for their entire stay here and without proof of your financial support an I-20 will not be issued.

The School of Art and Design accepts all of the official forms published by the UIC Graduate College. The Application for Graduate Appointment may be downloaded from the following Graduate College website:
http://grad.uic.edu