SCHOOL OF ART ADMISSIONS

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements:

• All studio art applicants must submit evidence of visual creativity and a 250-word statement of intent. Portfolios must be submitted online via the Kathrine G. McGovern School of Art application - we cannot accept physical portfolios.

Portfolio Requirements:

• 2–4 examples of work created within the past two years
• May include drawing, digital art, graphic design, painting, photography, sculpture, and video. Submissions do not need to match your intended area of study
• File Specifications:
  • Images: .jpeg, .png, .gif, .pdf (up to 5MB each)
  • Video: .m4V, .mov, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg (up to 30MB each, under 3 minutes) 

Statement Requirements:

• 250-word statement describing why you want to pursue an art or design degree
• Save as PDF and upload with application 

Additional for Transfer/Current UH/Readmission Students: Must have 6 hours of ARTS coursework in addition to creative portfolio. 

Bachelor of Arts in Art History Requirements:

• Meet all University of Houston admission requirements
• Submit 250-word statement of intent (no portfolio required) 

Application Process:

• Step 1: Apply to the University of Houston
• Step 2: Apply to the Kathrine G. McGovern School of Art
• Deadlines:
  • Freshman: April 15
  • Transfer/Current Student/Readmission: June 30
  • Decisions: Released on rolling basis 

 

IMPORTANT: You must complete TWO separate applications - both are required for admission. 

• Application #1: University of Houston Graduate School application
  • Note: This application doesn't allow upload of supplemental documents 

• Application #2: Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts MFA application
  • This application allows upload of all supplemental materials 

Required Materials: 

• Transcripts: One official transcript from each college/university attended
• References: Names and emails of 3 people (at least one familiar with your concentration work)
• Statement of Intent: Brief statement expressing graduate study reasons and indicating your concentration area (upload as PDF)  
• Resume/CV: Upload as PDF
• Portfolio: Minimum 20 examples of original work representing recent, consistent practice 

Portfolio Requirements:

• Portfolio Format: 
  • Twenty examples of current work submitted as single PDF
  • Video/multimedia work optional (separate uploads)
  • URLs of online work (Vimeo, YouTube, websites) as PDF 

• Portfolio Documentation (submit as PDF): Numbered list including for each work:
  • Project title
  • Project URL (if applicable)
  • Project goals
  • Brief project description
  • Date completed 

Application Deadline:

• Priority deadline is January 15 for fall admission (domestic and international). Later applications considered if space available. 

Develop scholarly expertise in art historical research and critical analysis. 

MA Admission Requirements:

• Academic Background:
  • Bachelor's degree from accredited institution with 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours
  • Undergraduate art history degree not required, but art history coursework and humanities research experience considered
  • Understanding of art history discipline and preparation for graduate study essential 
• Foreign Language: Some specializations require foreign language proficiency from the start. Consult with Graduate Advisor or faculty to determine if this applies to your area of interest. 

MA Application Process:

• IMPORTANT: Complete TWO separate applications - both required for admission.
  • Application #1: University of Houston Graduate School application
  • Application #2: Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts MA application 

Required Materials: 

• Transcripts: Follow Graduate School application instructions
• Letters of Recommendation: Names and emails of 3 people (at least one familiar with Art History work)
• Statement of Purpose: Academic interests in art history and career goals (PDF)
• Resume/CV: Include foreign language proficiency if applicable (PDF)
• Writing Sample: Scholarly academic writing demonstrating research abilities (PDF)
• Application Deadline: Priority deadline January 15 for fall admission. Later applications considered on space-available basis. 

Application Deadline:

• Priority deadline January 15 for fall admission. Later applications considered on space-available basis.