Graduate Studies Program Admission Process

The Department of Design offers two complementary design-led and research-oriented areas of emphasis in Design Research and Development (DRD) or Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM), both leading to the Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Admission to either degree program tracks occurs annually for autumn semester attendance. This process is highly-competitive, as the number of applications received far exceeds the number of students admitted. Please see below for details regarding the process, application materials and timeline.

MFA Application Deadlines

30 NOV | For Fellowship consideration (International Student)
05 JAN | For Fellowship consideration (Domestic Student)
13 JAN | For Associateship consideration, and MFA application deadline

14 FEB | Application Reviews Concluded
28 FEB | Finalist Candidate Interviews Concluded
15 MAR | Notification of Acceptances and Awards
15 APR | Confirmation of Acceptances Provided by Candidates

Step One: Ohio State Graduate and Professional Admissions

Apply to the Ohio State University Graduate School through the Graduate and Professional Admissions online application process.

This process requires completion of an online application form, along with the following items:

Official transcripts or record of marks for each university-level institution attended. Click here for transcript requirements.
If you are applying as an international student, English proficiency requirements as outlined by Graduate and Professional Admissions.
GRE test scores, if your undergraduate, cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Specific questions about the Graduate and Professional Admissions application process should be emailed to gradadmissions@osu.edu.

Step Two: Department of Design Admissions

Approximately two business days after completing the Graduate and Professional Admissions online application form (Step One above), you will receive an email from the Department of Design with the URL and login process to our online application system. The online forms will require the following information and documents:

Statement of Intent (See additional information below)
Residency Status
Financial Aid Interests
Academic Background
Full Curriculum Vitae (CV)
PDF of transcript, unofficial transcript, or Ohio State Advising Report
Portfolio and descriptions (See additional information below)
Three online references of individuals who will submit a recommendation letter on your behalf

Specific questions about the Department of Design Admissions application process should be emailed to the Graduate Studies Coordinator.

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Additional Information Regarding Department of Design Admission Materials

The statement of intent should address all of the following:

Present a clear statement of your creative research focus. Address how this research interest developed and describe how your past and current creative work informs its development.

Articulate why the Ohio State Graduate Studies Program in Design is critical to your continued research interest and focus area. What possible future directions might your creative research take based on what you know about new developments in your specific discipline and in relevant emerging research trends? Identify three active design professors (not Instructors, Graduate Teaching Associates or Emeritus Faculty) who are well positioned to support your research and creative work.

Describe any supporting experiences you have had in the areas of community engagement, professional outreach, former or current employment and other activities such as travel and volunteer projects that have impacted your design philosophy, your research, or your approach to creative work. Also, how has any work you have done impacted others?

Design Research and Development (DRD) Portfolio Submission

Applicants must upload a digital portfolio of design projects, as part of the online application process. Applicants can submit projects in the areas of interior design, product design, visual communication/graphic design, interactive and time-based media, or other related creative fields for review. Design Research and Development applicants should include examples of completed works that demonstrate their preparation for advanced study in design. Applicants may also submit supplemental materials that document methodology and/or demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities (such as proposals or published papers that demonstrate tangible results of creative work and/or their ability to construct and express intellectual arguments in writing). Applicants may submit up to 15 files total for portfolio and supplemental materials as images, videos, or PDFs.

Digital Animation and Interactive Media Portfolio Submission

Applicants must submit video files representative of his or her experience and achievement in animation and/or interactive media. Videos may be the final work, or they may be documentation of process or installations. Compilations or demo reels are accepted, but if submitting complete works, please upload or link each individually if possible. A short text description for each uploaded portfolio document should also be provided. Applicants may also submit supplemental materials that document methodology and/or demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities such as proposals or published papers that demonstrate tangible results of creative work and/or their ability to construct and express intellectual arguments in writing. Applicants may submit up to 15 files total for portfolio and supplemental materials as images, videos, or PDFs.