Graduate Studies

About

Graduate Studies at RISD includes 16 discipline-specific master's degree programs in the fine arts, architecture, design and art education. Approximately 400 graduate students set the standards for RISD's 1,900 undergraduates, enrolling in individual programs that range in size from 7 to 98 students.

Graduate students come to RISD to be part of an extraordinary creative community and to connect with exceptional faculty, who are both dedicated teachers and leading artists and designers in their respective fields. They come to work in some of the best facilities and access some of the best resources in the country, to develop an individual vision and voice, and to create work that matters.

To complement studio majors, the divisions of Graduate Studies and Liberal Arts offer interdisciplinary seminars that enable students to explore the intersections between history, theory, research and contemporary culture. RISD's diverse graduate programs are further enriched by sponsored research and internships with partners in business and industry, and by the incomparable insights of countless visiting artists, scholars and guest critics who come to campus from throughout the world. The college's collaborative relationship with Brown University gives RISD students access to an even larger array of lectures, events and courses.

In short, graduate study at RISD is invigorating, challenging and demanding. It requires a deep commitment, the willingness to take risks and an openness to give and take. In return, students discover the lifelong rewards of belonging to a passionate creative community and of learning to articulate their vision with consummate power and grace.

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Is it true that RISD's MFA programs have been rated top in the country?

Our graduate programs in both the fine arts and design have earned a strong reputation among our peer institutions and practitioners in the field. And the 2009 edition of U.S. News & World Report's survey of America's Best Graduate Schools ranks RISD #1 for MFA programs.

Do I have to have an art degree to get into RISD's graduate program?

Not necessarily. Our graduate students come from all kinds of educational backgrounds, including four-year colleges, universities, art schools and other pre-professional schools. Many were headed toward other careers before deciding to return to grad school to pursue their interest in becoming an artist or designer. However, the one constant is that the work of students who are accepted into our programs tends to be exceptionally strong, whether or not they majored in art or design as undergraduates.

What do graduate program review committees look for in applicants' portfolios?

In reviewing portfolios, faculty committees are looking for both the depth and diversity of your creative experiences in the art and design fields. In other words, think of your portfolio as a visual résumé. Illustrate your creative abilities, process, communication skills, and your understanding of materials and methods.

As a grad student, do I have to be in residence at RISD for two consecutive years?

Yes, we require that students be in residence here for two (or in some cases, three) consecutive years (except in the case of the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching program). Graduate study at RISD is very intensive and peer-oriented, which means that the relationships you form with fellow students and faculty are a crucial component of the educational experience.

Does RISD require a written thesis for the master's degree?

Most departments do require a written thesis, but it is meant to support a significant body of final work. Working under the guidance of a thesis committee, graduate students are expected to complete this final body of work and exhibit it in a thesis exhibition open to the public.

Can I apply to admission for the spring or summer sessions?

No. Graduate students at RISD matriculate in the fall only, with no mid-year admissions. The MLA and MIA programs begin with summer intensives and RISD offers Summer Studies workshops and credit-bearing courses that may be helpful as a precursor to specific programs.

Do I need to take the GRE or TOEFL tests before applying to RISD?

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to RISD's graduate programs. However, if English is not your native language, you need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit a score of at least 237 on the computer-based TOEFL, 93 on the internet-based TOEFL and 580 on the paper-based version.

When and how will I be notified of the acceptance or rejection of my application?

Accepted candidates will be notified by phone and e-mail immediately after a decision has been made in mid-March. Unsuccessful applicants receive a formal letter from the RISD Admissions Office before the end of March. Candidates who have been wait-listed will be notified as such and will be admitted on a rolling basis as openings occur and until all available positions have been filled.

If I'm not accepted, can I find out why?

Unfortunately, graduate admissions review committees consider close to 1,800 applications each year and are not able to offer individual feedback about the evaluation process.

What are my chances of receiving a Presidential Scholarship?

Roughly 35 to 40 eligible graduate students (those historically under-represented in academic and professional fields) are nominated for Presidential Scholarships by their departments. A committee then selects 12 recipients, who receive half-tuition scholarships for the duration of their study at RISD.

Do RISD's masters' programs prepare students for careers in teaching?

RISD offers a variety of opportunities for graduate students to develop teaching skills. In addition to numerous teaching assistantships, you can teach a Wintersession seminar open to students from all departments. RISD's Department of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design, in collaboration with Brown's Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning, also provides all interested graduate students with an introduction to the collegiate teaching experience and the scholarship of teaching.

Can RISD students actually take classes at Brown University?

Yes. RISD and Brown have a cross-registration agreement that allows students at each to enroll in courses at the neighboring institution, which are both located in the city's College Hill neighborhood. However, depending on your major, you may find it more or less challenging to fit Brown classes into your schedule.

What is Providence like?

Providence is a very accessible, arts-oriented city with several colleges, interesting architectural styles, diverse neighborhoods and a wide range of housing options. It's not too big, but big enough to have a lot going on. And it's an hour south of Boston and three hours north of New York City, so it's relatively easy to get to one of these larger cities for shows, concerts and other activities.