Graduate Design & Production Admissions
UNCSA offers Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degrees in the School of Design & Production (D&P) in several concentrations.
Application Deadline
Deadline to apply for the 2027-28 school year is Wednesday, January 20, 2027 (11:59 p.m. EST).
Application Deadline Requirements
To meet the deadline, applicants must have submitted all required materials:
- UNCSA online application
- Application fee
- Portfolio
- Required application documents
- Artistic Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Test Scores
- Transcript(s)
Interview
After completing the application and uploading all required materials, applicants are reviewed by Admissions. Applicants will then either receive information about scheduling the required faculty interview or, for programs that include a pre-screening process, be invited to interview based on faculty evaluation.
Interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Interview slots are limited, so applicants are encouraged to keep multiple dates available to increase their chances of securing a suitable interview time. Please arrive prepared to discuss your portfolio.
Admission decisions are based on both artistic and academic merit.
On-campus,
In-person Interview
Interview Dates
- Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
- Friday, Dec. 4, 2026
- Friday, Jan. 22, 2027
- Friday, Feb. 19, 2027
Location
UNCSA
1533 South Main Street,
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Agenda
- Applicants emailed 72 hours prior with the day's agenda and tips for preparing.
- Applicants should prepare to be on the UNCSA campus from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Q&A Session
- Attendance required.
- In-person session included in the day's agenda.
- Hosted by the School of Design & Production.
Virtual Interview (Zoom)
Virtual Interviews require attending the Virtual Q&A Session.
Virtual Interview Dates
(all BFA programs seen)
- Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
- Wednesday, Dec 9, 2026
- Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2027
- Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027
- Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027
- Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2027
Additional Virtual Interview Dates for Costume Design & Technology M.F.A.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2027
- Wenesday, Mar. 3, 2027
Q&A Session
(Attendance required)
- Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026
(3-4 p.m. EST) over Zoom
Hosted by the School of Design & Production.
Links for attending an interview and Q&A session will be provided.
Admissions Criteria
Applicants must meet the minimum educational requirements.
Prerequisites
Applicants to all graduate Design & Production programs should have completed an undergraduate degree or be scheduled for completion of a degree prior to the upcoming Fall semester.
Test Scores (International Applicants)
International Applicants
International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Minimum
score requirements are:
- TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 100
Completed Application, Fees & Required Documents
- Complete the online application.
- Pay your Application Fee: $95 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $130 for
international applicants or non-resident aliens. Application fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options- Online: Follow payment instructions at the end of the application or on your Admissions Portal.
- Check or Money Order (through a U.S. bank): Make payable to "UNCSA" and include your full legal name. Mail your payment and fully legible name of the applicant to the Office of Admissions.
- International Applicants: Use Flywire to pay your application fee online through an international bank or pay by check or money order through a U.S. bank as listed above.
- Upload all Required Application Documents prior to your listed application deadline.
Please note: If applying to two different UNCSA art schools (Design & Production, Filmmaking and Music), a second completed application and application fee are required.
Addie Proske
Design & Production Admissions Counselor
I'm here to help you apply for admission into the School of Design & Production. Please let me know if you have any questions!