Graduate Studies Application Process

 MFA Application Deadline: January 3, 2025 

Admission into either Design Research and Development (DRD) or Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM) occurs annually for autumn semester. This process is highly competitive, as the number of applications received far exceeds the number of students admitted. 

We strongly encourage prospective students to apply well in advance. Anticipate delays in obtaining letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and English proficiency test scores (if applicable).  Admission decisions are made only after all materials are received. Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Please thoroughly read the application instructions provided below before applying.

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Apply with an Open Topic or Curated Project

Open Topic
An applicant may apply to the MFA program with an open topic. Within the Statement of Intent, 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 which faculty members align with your primary interests and demonstrate how you are prepared for advanced study in the field of design. Clearly explain why The Ohio State University is the ideal place to conduct your research. Additionally, describe how your proposed research will advance a specific area, such as teaching, professional practice, communication theory, social concerns, etc.

Curated Project
An applicant may apply to the program by selecting a graduate studies curated project. In the Statement of Intent, identify the curated project for your research and creative work, and address why you are interested in this specific project. Describe how it aligns with your interests, skillset, and experience. Articulate why you are the best MFA applicant to be selected for this project. Explain how you are prepared for advanced study in the field of design, and why Ohio State is the best place to support your aspirations. Those admitted into the MFA program will be assigned to only one project and are expected to find their own unique angle on the topic.

Application Instructions


Step One: The Graduate and Professional Admissions Application

Apply to the Ohio State University Graduate School by completing a Graduate and Professional Admissions online application. This process requires the following items:

  • Official transcripts or record of marks for each university-level institution attended. Read the transcript requirements to know what to submit. 
  • If you are applying as an international student, see the English proficiency requirements as outlined by Graduate and Professional Admissions. Our department does not accept Duolingo scores. 
  • GRE test scores, if your undergraduate, cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Select Design MFA as the major or program of study.

Questions about the Graduate and Professional Admissions application process should be emailed to gradadmissions@osu.edu. Check out these tips for submitting the application. Register for a live admissions event for additional application guidance.

Apply here!
 

Step Two: The SlideRoom Application - a supplemental application for Department of Design

A few business days after completing the Graduate and Professional Admissions online application (Step One above), you will receive an email from the Department of Design containing the URL and login instructions to access Design's online application system. The online form will require the following information and documents:

  • Statement of Intent (see additional information below)
  • Residency Status
  • Financial Support Interests
  • Academic Background
  • Full Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • PDF of transcript, unofficial transcript, or Ohio State Advising Report
  • Portfolio and descriptions (see additional information below)
  • The name and contact information of three references who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf

Questions about the Department of Design admissions application process should be emailed to the department.

*Important note: The Design program does not accept Duolingo English test scores.

Additional Information:

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.

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.