MA in Art & Design for Social Impact Admissions

Students are eligible to apply for annual scholarships offered through the Department of Art.

When preparing the application and supporting documents, such as your statement of intent and portfolio of artistic and/or professional work examples, keep in mind that we are looking for students who we feel would be a good match for our program. We seek students from different creative backgrounds such as the arts, communications, business and marketing, architecture, urban planning, and computer science who have a shared interest in social issues, criticality, collective action and the future of design.

1. Complete the online application. Select Art (MA) from the list. 
2. Electronic transcripts should be uploaded with your application. You must supply transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended (unofficial copies are accepted). Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted and choose to matriculate at the University at Buffalo.
3. Three (3) confidential letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional work. The references you select should be able to assess your level of maturity, intellectual capability, preparedness and motivation for graduate study.
4. Statement of intent: This should reveal the motivation for graduate study and provide insights about your work to date and where you feel it is going. This statement may discuss areas you are interested in researching further. Ideally your statement should communicate curiosity, intelligence, commitment, and demonstrate historical awareness of your field and your relationship to it. It is encouraged for you to explore our program faculty research in the field to share your interest in their mentorship. Feel free to include insights into your interdisciplinary interests, motivations, strengths and weaknesses, reasons for choosing our MA program over others, as well as past accomplishments.
5. Resume/CV
6. Application Fee of $75 (This fee may be waived in special circumstances)
7. Writing sample (optional)

All applicants should submit a URL (web link) to a personal website that includes your portfolio materials with a checklist of your works. There is a space on the application to provide this link. If needed, you also have the option to upload PDF images of your portfolio.

• Overall, the portfolio should visually communicate a serious work ethic, compelling ideas, and the ability to chart and complete a course of personal development within the time frame of a 2-semester program. We are looking for those who are prepared to hit the ground running. For time-based works, short previews (1-2 minutes) for initial viewing are recommended. If you already have a website or blog, you may want to consider making a separate website for the portfolio to make sure our faculty see the work you want them to see. A website with too much going on can be a detriment to an application.

In lieu or supplement to artistic and/or professional portfolio works, applicants may submit a writing sample. These types of application documents can be a well-written paper from an undergraduate or graduate course or a published professional article. It is encouraged that written work samples demonstrate exemplar understanding and research in the subject matter, provide a solid professional and scholarly argument, and clarity in thought process and writing structure.

As an international student, in order to be eligible for an I-20 or DS-2019 you will need to provide the following items in addition to the academic documents. These should be uploaded electronically along with your other application materials:

• Proof of English proficiency that is less than two (2) years old at the time of admission. Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for score minimums and exemptions. Official scores must be sent to UB if you decide to matriculate into a graduate program (UB code=2925).
• A copy of the biographical page of your passport. Scan a copy of the page from your passport that includes your name, citizenship and date of birth.

Financial form: Download the Standard Graduate financial form and follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to include supporting bank statements.