Graduate Admissions

The decision to attend graduate school is a pivotal step toward personal, creative and professional growth

To better inform your choice, we encourage you to visit our campuses and become familiar with the work of our alumni and faculty. Our Admissions counselors will guide you through application process, provide portfolio advice, answer your questions and serve as your admissions mentors.

The faculty and chair of each graduate department make final admissions decisions. In the case of the Innovation Systems Design dual-degree program, a joint decision will be made by both institutions after the student is enrolled in Graduate Industrial Design.

1. A Fully Completed Application

Applications can be completed online or downloaded from our site.

2. A non-refundable application fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $50 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $70 for non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents is required. The online application will prompt you to submit a payment. A check may be attached if you are downloading the application and submitting it by mail, payable to ArtCenter College of Design. To apply for a fee waiver, email gradadmissions@artcenter.edu for information. We cannot refund the fee once it has been paid through the online process.

3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the Admissions Office from each issuing institution. Request your transcripts at the time of or prior to submitting your application. They will be held on file if they arrive before your application form. Transcripts from international schools that are not provided in English directly from the issuing institution must be presented both in the original language form and translated into English by a translation agency or official translator.

If you have attended a non degree-granting school or program, be sure to list it on your application.

Please be aware that once submitted, all documents become the property of the College and cannot be returned to the applicant.

For all graduate programs a completed undergraduate degree must be verified prior to enrollment.

4. English as a foreign language proficiency

ArtCenter welcomes international students and values cultural diversity in the classroom. All ArtCenter courses are conducted in English. Graduate applicants whose bachelor's degree was achieved in a language other than English must take the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or I.E.L.T.S. to be considered for admission.

• TOEFL: a minimum score of 100 is required on the iBT. ArtCenter’s School Code is 4009. Effective August 1, 2019, the TOEFL “My Best” scores may be considered, but only in relation to the most recent score report section and composite scores. The overall performance on all tests will be considered when evaluating the test outcomes, and therefore the “My Best” scores will be part of the considerations.
• IELTS: a minimum score of 7.0 on the Academic I.E.L.T.S. We do not participate in electronic download of scores from I.E.L.T.S. and no school code is required.

Visit TOEFL.org or ielts.org for testing and procedures information. ArtCenter does not accept institutional scores, and all scores must be sent directly from the testing service. We do not accept electronic download scores from I.E.L.T.S. In addition, the College may require minimum scores on each section of the test. Visit TOEFL.org or ielts.org for testing dates and procedures.

The Committee may request testing from any student whose command of English is in doubt, including students who took ESL classes in college. In addition, the College may review the individual scores on each section of the test.

5. Program-Specific Requirements

Each graduate department requires a portfolio and writing component for admission. Writing samples may include a personal statement, resume, or answers to specific prompts. Certain departments also require letters of recommendation. Please select your program of interest below for admission requirements specific to that department.