GRADUATE ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS
NSCAD Graduate Studies are ideal for those individuals who have gained sufficient experience in their own area of interest to make concentrated post-graduate study a useful choice.
The deadline for graduate application is January 15. Exceptionally, the deadline for the MAAE has been extended to March 31.
Graduate application requirements by program
Applicants to the Master of Design Program should possess a Bachelor of Design Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, or the equivalent qualifications from a four year university or college program; ability as an artist, crafts person or designer; an interest in the role of design in society; the economy; design history and theory; teaching and research at a postsecondary level; and academic competency.
Applicants to the MDES Program will generally be expected to have completed the equivalent of NSCAD’s undergraduate art history and critical studies and liberal arts and science requirements and to have maintained an overall “B” average in relevant academic course work.
Applicants from other disciplines are welcome; however, they may be admitted on the condition that they successfully complete specific qualifying courses at the undergraduate level. A minimum grade of “B” must be earned in all courses.
The selection of qualifying courses is at the discretion of the MDES Admissions Committee and may include both studio and historical and critical studies courses. This study will be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense and does not guarantee admission to the MDES Program.
Applicants to the Master of Fine Arts (Studio) should possess either a BFA degree or the equivalent qualifications from a four-year university or college program, ability as an artist or craftsperson, an interest in teaching, and academic competency.
Applicants to the MFA Program will be expected to have completed the equivalent of NSCAD’s undergraduate art history and liberal arts and science requirements and to have maintained an overall “B” average in relevant academic course work.
Applicants to the MFA Program who have a four-year diploma (but not a degree) will be required to take a qualifying semester to supplement their liberal arts requirements. This study will be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense, and does not guarantee admission to the MFA Program. Such applicants must register for a minimum of three courses (nine semester credits). The courses required in a qualifying semester will be determined by the MFA director in consultation with the appropriate division chair (or designate) and the registrar. A minimum grade of “B” must be earned.
Students are selected for their capability as artists, craftpersons, or designers; their understanding of related critical information; and thepersonal qualities and interests that might be expected to contribute to their success as teachers and scholars.
Applicants often have in-depth training and experience in ceramics, digital media, drawing, film, installation, jewellery/metalsmithing, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture, sound, textiles/fashion or video.
Applicants to the Master of Art in Art Education should possess either a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine or Media Arts, Art Education, Design, or equivalent.
Applicants without these credentials or those granted by the NSCAD Visual Art Certificate for Teachers, in consultation with the MA Program Director, must complete a minimum of 12 credits in EDAR or studio-based undergraduate courses. This study will be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense and does not guarantee admission to the MA Program. A minimum grade of ‘B’ must be earned.
Steps to apply to graduate programs
01
CREATE AN ACCOUNT ON NSCAD.SLIDEROOM.COM
NSCAD.SLIDEROOM.COM is your guide through the application process. It’s where we’ll answer all of your questions and help you prepare to apply and upload your portfolio pieces. You can sign up for a campus visit/event, track your application process and even receive your admission decision.
02
APPLICATION FEE
A non-refundable application fee of $75 USD is required.
03
STATEMENT OF INTENT
MDES: Submit a statement explaining the direction of your practice in design, and your purposes and intentions in seeking to enter the MDes Program at NSCAD University. Maximum length is 500 words. The file should be in a PDF format.
MFA: Submit a statement explaining the direction of your studio practice in art, craft or design, and your purposes and intentions in seeking to enter the MFA at NSCAD University. Maximum length is 500 words. The file should be in a PDF format.
MAAE: When preparing your statement of intent as part of your application, be sure to provide a statement that introduces yourself, emphasizing your background and/or proposed work in art education. In this statement, succinctly explain your motivation for pursuing this research and how it aligns with NSCAD University’s Graduate Program in Art Education. Describe your research interest, question, or theme for your graduate work, emphasizing its relevance and unique contributions to one of the three program streams:
- Applied Pedagogy in Art Education
- Museum and Curatorial Studies
- Community-Based Practice
Ensure that your statement does not exceed 500 words. If necessary, you may include appendices containing a bibliography and examples of visual work, which will not be counted toward the word limit.
04
SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS
An academic record of current and previous post-secondary study is required from all applicants. They must be sent to us through the sending institution. Order these from your school well ahead of the application deadline to ensure that they arrive on time.
- Transcripts can be sent to us by email from a school official to admissions@nscad.ca, , or by mail to:
NSCAD Admissions
5163 Duke Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3J6
05
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
MDES: Two letters of recommendation are required. There is no standard reference form. Letters of recommendation should be written by professors or other appropriate persons, referring to your ability as a designer, and your general academic competence.
MFA: Two letters of recommendation are required as part of the MFA application process. There is no standard reference form. Referees are asked to write a one-page letter detailing their experience with you as an artist and demonstrating your suitability for an MFA program. All letters of recommendation must be official.
MAAE: Two letters of recommendation are required as part of the application process. There is no standard reference form. Referees are asked to write a one-page letter detailing their experience with you and your suitability for the program.
How to submit your references through SlideRoom
- SlideRoom’s application process allows applicants to request references from specific people.
- Those people receive an email with a summary of who/what the request is for and are given a link to proceed.
- Clicking the link brings them to a NSCAD-branded site in SlideRoom where they can complete the letter of reference.
- Recommenders do not need to create an account or remember a password to complete this process. The system is very easy for them to use. The only thing they need to do is answer the questions presented to them about the applicant.
- Once complete, everyone receives confirmation emails.
06
PORTFOLIO
All applicants should upload their portfolio through SlideRoom as part of their application.
MDES: Upload not more than 20 digital images representative of current work. If an applicant sends more than 20 images, only the first 20 will be viewed.
MFA: Your portfolio should consist of 20 image files and/or media links.
IMAGES: You may upload up to 20 PDF image files for your portfolio submission, or provide 20 files via a combination of uploaded image files and links to time-based material.
TIME-BASED MATERIAL: Total running time of time-based excerpts should not exceed 15 minutes. In addition, you may provide two entire time-based projects via web links. Documentation of electronic, installation and sculptural work involving temporal, kinetic or aural elements may require a combination of images files and/or sound files and movies. Use your best judgment to represent the work with economy and clarity.
MAAE: Submission of a portfolio for the Master of Arts in Art Education is optional, but encouraged. Applicants with a studio/fine arts background may upload up to 20 images with an accompanying list of works listing each portfolio piece submitted, including titles, dimensions, materials, and date. Include web links to digital/video work for inclusion in portfolio submission. Refer to upload instructions in SlideRoom.
Applicants with a background in curation, arts pedagogy, or community-based work may submit visual evidence such as: exhibitions, collaborative art projects, art teaching projects, social practice, and other relevant forms of artistic engagement. Visuals should be accompanied by brief explanatory descriptions.
07
*MAAE ONLY* WRITING SAMPLE
Graduate applicants to the Master of Arts in Art Education should submit a sample of current writing (created in the last 6 years) such as a course paper, report, exhibition catalogue essay, research proposal, published article, scholarly manuscript, book chapter, blog post or web content, etc. The applicant must be the sole author and the work should demonstrate their ability to write professionally, clearly, and persuasively. This file should be in pdf format.
English Language Requirement
Read the graduate English language requirements page in International students.
Transfer From Other Institutions
NSCAD University accepts transfer graduate liberal arts credits at par from those public or private universities and colleges that are either members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, or are chartered or accredited as post-secondary degree-granting bodies by appropriate agencies in other countries. Students admitted to the graduate programs may transfer a maximum of three graduate liberal arts credits.