Graduate Design & Production Admissions

The UNCSA School of Design & Production (D&P) offers Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degrees in several concentrations. Applicants must meet the minimum educational requirements.

An interview with faculty is required for admission. Interviews are scheduled after an application is complete. Applicants should arrive prepared to discuss their Portfolio. Admission is based on a combination of artistic and academic merits.

Application Deadlines

To be reviewed for admission, the following criteria must be met by an application deadline:

  • A completed application is submitted
  • Application fee is paid
  • Required Application Documents are uploaded (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.)

The 2025-26 applications deadlines:

  • Friday, November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST)
  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)

Required Interview

Admissions contacts candidates to schedule an interview on a "first to apply, first to schedule" basis. There are a limited number of interview slots per date. It is recommended that applicants have availability on multiple dates.

On-campus,
In-person Interview

Interview Dates

  • Friday, November 8, 2024
  • Friday, December 6, 2024
  • Friday, January 24, 2025

  • ADDED as of 11/4/24:
    Friday, February 14, 2025 

  • CANCELED as of 11/4/24:
    Friday, February 21, 2025

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.

Information Session

  • In-person information session included in the day's agenda.

Off-campus,
In-person Interview

Location Dates

New York City, NY

Ripley Grier Studios
520 8th Ave
NYC, NY 10018

(opens in new tab)
Room: Studio 17A

Interview Dates

  • Saturday, October 5, 2024
  • Sunday, October 6, 2024

Information Session

Candidates will be emailed by Admissions about how to attend a required Information Session.

Los Angeles, CA

Hotel Burbank
150 E. Angeleno Ave Burbank CA 91502
Room: Mtg Rm 2

Interview Dates

  • Saturday, October 5, 2024
  • Sunday, October 6, 2024

Information Session

Candidates will be emailed by Admissions about how to attend a required Information Session.

Orlando, FL

Location to be announced.

Interview Dates

  • Friday, November 22, 2024
  • Saturday, November 23, 2024

Information Session

Candidates will be emailed by Admissions about how to attend a required Information Session.

 

Virtual Interview (Zoom)

Applicants will be provided links for attending their interview and the required virtual Q&A session.

Dates Times

Interview Date

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024
  • Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • Monday, November 18, 2024,
    3 to 4:00 p.m. EST

Interview Date

  • Friday,
    January 17, 2025

  • Wednesday, January 29, 2025

  • Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Virtual Q&A for interviewing candidates hosted by the Dean of Design & Production (attendance required)

  • Times and dates to be announced in October.


Off-campus Opportunities

Representatives from Design & Production are available to speak with interested candidates at industry events and in select cities. An off-campus meeting provides an opportunity to learn more about the school or get feedback on a portfolio. Candidates with complete applications may contact Admissions to inquire if an official interview could be scheduled at a location listed below. 

Location Dates and Times City and State

Hotel Burbank
150 E. Angeleno Ave
Burbank, CA 91502
Room: Mtg Rm 2

October 5-6, 2024
  • 10 - 11:00 AM PST
  • 2 - 3:00 PM PST

Los Angeles, CA

Click here to register.

Ripley Grier Studios
520 8th Ave 
NYC, NY 10018

(opens in new tab)
Room: Studio 17A

October 5-6, 2024
  • 10 - 11:00 AM EST
  • 2 - 3:00 PM EST

New York City, NY

Click here to register.
Click here to register.(opens in new t520 8th Ave NYC, NY 10018

IAAPA November 18-21, 2024  Orlando, FL
USITT
March 5-8, 2025 
Columbus, OH
SETC March 19-23, 2025  Baltimore, MD
 

Admissions Criteria

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

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.