Skip to Main Content

Department of Art College of Arts & Letters

Support Page Content

MFA in Studio Art Admission Requirements

Applying to graduate school at Sacramento State entails a simultaneous two part process, and all steps must be completed by the application deadlines. For questions about the Studio Art MFA program and application process, contact Andrew Connelly Professor, our Graduate Coordinator, at connelly@csus.edu

Minimum Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student in Studio Art requires:

  • A BFA or BA in Art or its *equivalent, including 12 units in Art History;
  • A minimum 2.5 overall GPA
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA in Art courses
  • Approval by Studio Art faculty review of other submitted materials (see Admission Procedures below); and
  • English language proficiency: International students must pass TOEFL - minimum of 80 IBT, IELTS - minimum of 7.0 Band Score, PTE Academic Score: 65

*Equivalent- BA in Studio Art

  1. In the liberal arts studio art major, normally at least 20% of the total credits are in studio courses, and at least 5% are in art/design history. Total required work in the visual arts normally equals 30-45% of the curriculum.
  2. The curriculum should aim primarily toward breadth of experience and understanding rather than professional specialization. The primary objective of such training is not necessarily preparation for a career in art or design.

Upon graduation from BA or BFA, students must demonstrate:

  • A developed visual sensitivity.
  • The technical skills, perceptual development, and understanding of principles of visual organization sufficient to achieve basic visual communication and expression in one or more media.
  • The ability to make workable connections between concept and media.
  • Some familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and the present, both in the Western and non-Western worlds.
  • An understanding of the nature of contemporary thinking on art and design.

Alberto Lozano Ruvalcaba MFA 2023, Law of Entropy, 2023, Stoneware, variable dimensions

Application Procedures and Admission to the Program

Applications for the MFA are accepted October 1 - February 1, for admission for the following fall semester. Applicants are required to submit two applications to be considered for admission, listed in the table below.

Cal State Apply Application

Applicants must complete a Cal State Apply application by the posted application deadline date for the term applying. A complete application includes:

  • Application information- name, address, contact information
  • An official copy of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State; send electronic transcripts to gradtranscripts@csus.edu or hard copy transcripts to:

Office of Graduate Studies
California State University, Sacramento
Riverfront Center, Room 215, MS 6112
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

SlideRoom Art Department Application

Applicants must complete an MFA, Art Department SlideRoom application
by the posted application deadline date for the term applying. A complete application includes:

  1. Applicant information:
    Name, address, media area of interest, previous education.
  2. Written Statements:
    Submit the following two 300-800 word statements:
  • Statement of Purpose: What is your purpose in pursuing a graduate degree at Sacramento State?
  • Artist Statement: Describe your studio practice and the research that supports it.
  1. List of Three References for Three Letters of Recommendation
    A list of three professional references for letters of recommendation. References should be College Professors or Art Professionals qualified to speak on your behalf addressing your readiness to enter into graduate study.
  2. Unofficial Transcripts
    Copies uploaded of all Colleges and University transcripts, including other graduate degrees if applies.
  3. Artist Resume or (CV)
    Categories should include: Education, Exhibition, Publications, Related Activities and Awards, Related employment.
  4. Professional Website (if applies)
Application  Deadline Link
Office of Graduate Studies (University) application February 1 Cal State Apply
MFA, Art Department application February 1 SlideRoom

Portfolio, Media Submission Requirements

Applicants in ceramics, printmaking, drawing & painting, and sculpture: Applicants must submit 20 images of work. However, if there are time-based elements in your work you may submit one or more 10-30 second video(s) in the form of YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud URLs corresponding with specific image(s) as one of your media uploads. Indicate "video" and “image # in image description. The total number of media uploads and links may not exceed 20.

Applicants in new media art: For all time-based works you may submit YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud URLs. For images upload jpg files. Submit 20 samples, two of which can be full-length projects. For other time-based works submit 1-minute excerpts. The total number of media uploads and links may not exceed 20.

Note: It is recommended that work/portfolio submitted represent production from the last 2-3 years. Additionally, the portfolio should demonstrate independent thought, not studio class assignments.