Graduate Admission Eligibility

Graduate admission

As a RISD applicant, you may only submit one type of application in a given year. For example, you may not apply as both a graduate and transfer applicant in the same year—or as both a graduate and first-year applicant. 

Review this list to confirm your graduate admission eligibility: 

  • Applicants who will have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university by the time of entry are eligible to apply for graduate admission.
  • International students who are completing requirements for a diploma rather than a degree must submit a written statement prepared by an appropriate school official verifying that the status of the diploma is equivalent to a US baccalaureate degree.

Get to know RISD

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Apply to RISD

At RISD, you'll find a community of critical thinkers and makers that will inspire you to push your own practice. Find important information and links for applying to our exceptional graduate programs.

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Visit RISD

If you’re a prospective student interested in visiting RISD, we have options available for you to come to campus to learn more about our programs, studios and student life. 

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Graduate study

Graduate study at RISD brings together artists, designers and thinkers from around the world to research, experiment, create and push the possibilities of practice.