Apply to the MFA in Visual Art Program
The Sam Fox School at WashU welcomes artists from a variety of disciplines and media to apply for admission to the MFA in Visual Art program.
Graduate Recruitment Specialist, Art
Criteria for Eligibility & Deadlines
Sep 1, 2026
Applications open
Dec 15, 2026
Application fee starts
$40. Apply for free through December 14.
Jan 10, 2027
Applications due
Mar 1, 2027
Decisions released
Program Prerequisites
- Applicants should have completed a BFA or equivalent academic preparation with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants are NOT required to submit GRE scores.
Required Application Materials Checklist
Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s portfolio, academic records, statement of objectives, and references.
Application materials may be submitted over time. However, all parts of the application, with the exception of the letters of recommendation, must be received by the application deadline. No applicant will be offered admission into the program until all required materials have been received.
You will need:
All applicants must upload digital copies (PDF format) of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
Competitive applicants for admission will have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above on a 4.0 scale. For those who have pursued undergraduate degrees in architecture, special attention will be given to grades obtained in studio coursework.
Unofficial transcripts must include the institution name, applicant name, dates of attendance, grades received for each course taken in all terms attended, degree information, and transcript key or interpretation guide.
In-progress transcripts: If you have not yet completed your current program at the time of application, please provide transcript(s) showing the work you have completed to date and courses in progress.
Official transcripts: Admitted students are required to provide a final official transcript from the institution that conferred their undergraduate degree. The Sam Fox School reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if discrepancies are found between the uploaded unofficial documents and official educational records.
Foreign transcript evaluation: International students must submit both an original-language document and an English translation.
We do not require transcript evaluations, but we encourage submitting a transcript evaluation from a NACES member organization if you earned or will earn a prerequisite degree outside of the United States.
20 samples of your best, strongest work. See details below.
Concise statement (500 words or fewer, PDF) that gives a sense of you, your creative work, and your objectives for graduate study. We are looking for information as it relates to your creative work. The statement should primarily focus on your conceptual and material interests and proposed area(s) of study, including any discipline-specific or cross-disciplinary interests and historical precedents you may recognize. The statement should also identify your goals for graduate study and the contributions you hope to make at WashU. Title the document with your name.
Names, titles, and email addresses for three (3) professors, instructors, or professionals with whom you have recently worked or studied. Obtain their consent to provide a letter of recommendation for you. They will receive a request from the school once you have applied.
Applicants whose native language is not English must provide English language proficiency test scores. See details below.
Non-refundable $40 application fee, paid online by credit card.
Note: the application is free through December 14.
GRE Policy: Test Scores Not Required
Applicants to our MFA in Visual Art program are NOT required to submit GRE scores.
Guidelines for MFA in Visual Art Portfolio
Your application will prompt you to upload a portfolio in Slideroom. Select 20 samples of your strongest and best work. Your work samples should demonstrate your potential for accomplishment in the study of visual art at the graduate level. Work samples should be uploaded in reverse chronological order with newest work first.
Specifications:
- Images: JPG format, 5MB maximum file size, 1,200 px on the longest side at 72dpi
- PDFs: 10MB maximum file size
- Video: MPEG or MOV format, 250MB maximum file size, no longer than 3 minutes in duration
- Audio: MP3 format, 30MB maximum file size, no longer than 3 minutes in duration
Do not use presentation programs such as PowerPoint.
All digital files submitted should follow a naming convention that includes your last name and the first initial of your first name, such as: DoeJ_GhostSeries_Image1.jpg.
Please enter details about each piece you submit, including title, date, size, and medium. If the medium is mixed, name all materials specifically. Do not use this space to discuss the work.
International Graduate Student Admissions
WashU is responsible for confirming that visitors and students possess the necessary level of English language proficiency to succeed in their respective course of study and/or program. For more information on WashU’s accepted English language proficiency tests and minimum score requirements, please visit the Office for International Students & Scholars website.
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
WashU accepted tests and minimum score requirements:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT – 90 minimum composite score
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – 6.5 minimum composite score
- GATEWAY English Test (offered on-demand virtually) – 495 minimum overall score
- Duolingo English Test (DET) – 125 minimum overall score
Exemption Criteria
- Citizenship from one of the following countries: Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean nations, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- Applicant has completed two or more years of documented study within the past five years at a university-level, English-medium institution in one of the countries listed above.
- Applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree* or equivalent within the past five years from a non-United States institution in a country where the official language is English based on the CIA World Factbook.
Applicants from China
Upon acceptance, students who attended a Chinese university must also have their official transcripts and qualification certificates verified (in English) by the Center for Student Services Development (CSSD).
Graduate Scholarships & Financial Aid Options
We recognize that financial support is an important part of your graduate school decision-making process, and the Sam Fox School is committed to providing assistance to as many students as possible. Currently, 94% of graduate students in the Sam Fox School receive support.
Some of our full and significant tuition scholarships and fellowships require separate application. Others, students are automatically considered. We encourage you to learn about your options early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put in my portfolio?
You’ll need to submit 20 examples of your work. These can include still images, video, and audio files. Select your strongest and best work. We are looking to see original and sophisticated pieces that you generated independently, rather than work created as part of an assignment.
How do I apply for scholarships?
We offer competitive assistance, based on a combination of need and merit. Sam Fox School awards include several full-tuition scholarships, such as the Sam Fox Ambassadors Graduate Fellowship Program (which also includes an annual travel stipend) and the Sam Fox School Director’s Full Scholarship, along with the Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver Scholarship, which covers 75% of tuition. Learn more on the Graduate Scholarships and Financial Aid page.
What is it like living in St. Louis?
St. Louis is one of the most affordable places to live, and there are cool neighborhoods all around the University, like Tower Grove, the Central West End, and University City. And, all the city’s art museums are free. See our St. Louis page for more on the gallery scene and our favorite things to do around the city and the region.
What are the employment opportunities for graduate students?
There are multiple employment opportunities within the Sam Fox School for our graduate students. Students work as monitors in our studio spaces, helping our technicians manage the spaces. Additionally, there are opportunities for students to assist faculty as assistants in instruction (AI/TAs) and research assistants (RAs). The MFA-VA program also offers opportunities like the Counterpublic Fellowship. There are opportunities to work on campus searchable at careers.washu.edu.
When will I receive a decision about my application?
Admissions decisions will be released March 1, 2027.
Connect with Us
Schedule a Campus Visit or Portfolio Review
A campus tour is a great way to get a feel for what it would be like to join us at the Sam Fox School. Schedule your visit with one of our recruiters today. Or, reach out to a recruiter to schedule a portfolio review.
Contact our Recruitment Team
Our team of recruiters is here to help you. Reach out to them with questions about applying, scheduling a visit, and more.
Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Graduate Recruitment Specialist, Architecture
Graduate Recruitment Specialist, Art
Admissions Operations Coordinator
Upcoming MFA in Visual Art Admissions Events
Aug 28, 1 – 2pm • Virtual
Sep 10, 12 – 1pm • Virtual
Sep 26, 12 – 4pm • Virtual
Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Applicants with a prior criminal history will not be automatically disqualified from consideration for admission. Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to the Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Washington University in St. Louis, MSC 1190-853-03, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130.