Graduate Studies Application Process

Clearly explain why the Ohio State Design Graduate Program 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? What makes Ohio State the best place to support what you are doing? What faculty members have a point of synergy with what interests you the most?

Stay clear of biographical statements like “I always wanted to be a designer” or “used to look at interesting paintings”. Talk more about how your proposed research or focus area is going to advance a specific area such as teaching, professional practice, communication theory, social concerns, etc.

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? 

Articulate how you are prepared for advanced study in the field of design.

Open Topic: Applicants who select to apply to the MFA program with an open research topic must also provide the following information:

• Applicants should 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.
• Identify three active design professors (not associated faculty, graduate students, or emeritus faculty) who are well-positioned to support your research and creative work.
• Discuss how these faculty members align with your primary interests.
• Describe how your proposed research will advance a specific area, such as teaching, professional practice, communication theory, social concerns, etc.

Curated Project: Applicants who are applying to the program by selecting a curated project must also provide the following information:

• Identify the curated project for your research and creative work
• Address why you are interested in this specific project.
• Describe how the curated project aligns with your interests, skillset, and experience.
• Articulate why you are the best MFA applicant to be selected for this project.

Two pages, single spaced (or 1.0 in Word) is most common and the recommended length.

General Fellowship Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to domestic and international students.
• Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Possess skills or experiences that exemplify one or more of Ohio State’s Shared Values.
• Possess skills and experiences that have prepared the nominee for academic success, thus advancing the Graduate School’s educational mission.
• Possess skills and experiences that have prepared the nominee to contribute intellectually to the University’s research, scholarship, and engagement missions.

Graduate Access Fellowship Additional Criteria:

• US citizen, US permanent resident, and those eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.
• Have overcome an educational, economic, and/or personal challenge to access Graduate School. Examples of challenges include being a first-generation student, having financial need, being a caretaker, returning after a long absence, or attending an undergraduate university with limited research experience opportunities.

Graduate Access Fellowship Consideration:

The Graduate Access Fellowship recognizes exceptional graduate students who have demonstrated resilience in the face of educational, economic, or personal challenges and who embody Ohio State’s Shared Values: excellence and impact, diversity and innovation, and inclusion and equity.

In 750–1,000 words (<2 pages, single-spaced), please respond to the following prompt:

Describe the challenges—educational, economic, or personal—you have overcome in your journey to graduate school. How have these experiences shaped your academic goals, your commitment to your field, and your broader contributions to community or society?

In your response, reflect on how you exemplify Ohio State’s Shared Values. You may wish to highlight:

• Your pursuit of excellence and the potential impact of your graduate studies.
• How your lived experiences and background contribute to diversity in your field.
• Ways you’ve fostered inclusion, equity, or innovation in academic, professional, or community contexts.

Your response will help us understand your path to graduate study, your potential for leadership and impact, and your alignment with the spirit of the Graduate Access Fellowship.

Graduate Associateship Consideration:

If you are interested in a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) or Graduate Research Associate (GRA) position, please describe any relevant experience indicating preparedness for teaching undergraduate courses and/or research support.

Applicants may submit up to 15 files total for portfolio and supplemental materials as images, videos, or PDFs.

Allowed Media Types:

• Images (up to 5MB each)
• Video (up to 250MB each)
• PDFs (up to 10MB each)
• External media from YouTube and Vimeo

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. This includes 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. Select your best and most relevant work that showcases your skills, creativity, and design thinking. Include a variety of projects to demonstrate versatility and depth. Get input from your mentors and peers. 

Digital Animation and Interactive Media Portfolio Submission 

Applicants must submit video files representative of their 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. This includes 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. Select your best and most relevant work that showcases your skills, creativity, and design thinking. Include a variety of projects to demonstrate versatility and depth. Get input from your mentors and peers.

Early January - MFA application deadline
February - Application reviews conclude 
Early March - Finalist candidate interviews conclude
Mid March - Notification of acceptance and awards sent to admitted MFA candidates 
April - Confirmation of acceptance due from admitted MFA candidates 

See our Frequently Asked Questions page to for additional information.