Graduate Admissions

Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report in the publication’s 2020 list of best art schools, the Department of Art’s M.F.A. program attracts gifted and motivated students who thrive in an environment that encourages autonomy. They are drawn not only to the outstanding creative faculty, the University's resources, and its location in one of the world's leading art centers, but also to a program that encourages them to develop as artists in ways that are meaningful in the social context in which they live and work.

Important Links & Resources

The Department of Art accepts applications only for the fall quarter.

The UCLA Application for Graduate Admissions is

Due January 9, 11:59pm PST.

> Visit Application Portal

Admission to the department is based on acceptance by the UCLA Division of Graduate Education and a faculty review of complete applications.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. For the M.F.A. degree, applicants are evaluated on their creative work. Please refer to the Department's Portfolio Guidelines for detailed instructions. The portfolio should represent both the artistic medium the applicant is planning to emphasize and their potential for advanced specialized study.

Applicants are asked to provide the names and addresses of three references, but letters of recommendation are not required. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. For the M.F.A. program, applicants with a bachelor's degree in art are preferred, but those who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with only some previous study in art may be admitted on the basis of a review of their work.

For a complete outline of degree requirements, see Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees available in the departmental office and accessible on the graduate division webpage. For more information, please refer to our Prospective Student FAQs.

Program Information for Prospective M.F.A. Students

Prospective M.F.A. Student Information Sessions:

Information sessions for prospective Fall 2026 M.F.A. applicants are being offered remotely via Zoom. During these sessions we will share information about the program and application process, and take any questions you may have. Please register in advance:

Previous Faculty and Student Panel Discussions:

Faculty and Student Panel 2023

Earlier Panels: Faculty and Student Panel 2021

Areas of Study: Faculty Interviews

View faculty discuss the M.F.A. Art areas of study.

For Prospective M.F.A. Students Interested in Visiting the UCLA Margo Leavin Graduate Art Studios:

Please visit the UCLA Margo Leavin Graduate Art Studios page for information on how to schedule a visit.

Financial Support

General Information

Please refer to the following website for information about estimated Annual fees: https://sa.ucla.edu/RO/Fees/Public/public-fees

UCLA offers several kinds of financial assistance for graduate students. M.F.A. applicants are encouraged to complete the fellowship section of the UCLA Graduate Application for campus-wide award opportunities. Admitted candidates are given the opportunity to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions which offer a quarterly salary and a partial fee remission during the term(s) of employment.

Departmental TA assignments are made by faculty. Factors considered include creative work, potential, and, in some cases, financial need. Special abilities are also factored into the decision.

For the 2025–26 academic year, all M.F.A. students received award support covering approximately 50% of their student fees and tuition, as well as one or two quarter-long Teaching Assistant assignments. Students also are considered for additional competitive award opportunities.

The UCLA Financial Aid Office administers financial support for eligible US citizens and permanent residents based upon need. For graduate students, need-based financial aid is awarded primarily in the form of loans and work-study. Please visit the UCLA Financial Aid Office Website for detailed information.

Extramural fellowships also are made available by many off-campus agencies and foundations. Applicants should contact the funding organizations directly for information regarding extramural fellowship opportunities.

More detailed information on financial support is available in the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission and at the UCLA Division of Graduate Education Web site.

Scholarships

Department of Art and School of the Arts and Architecture scholarships, made possible through the generosity of private individuals, firms, or foundations, are available annually to undergraduate and graduate students. These prestigious awards are made by faculty nomination, and in some cases, by student application or competition.

Department of Art Scholarships

Laura Andreson Scholarship
Samuel Booth Art Scholarship
CAA Foundation Scholarship
Martha Matthias Denny Scholarship
Department of Art Scholarship
Lorser Feitelson and Helen Lundeberg Feitelson Arts Foundation Award
Helen Frankenthaler Scholarship
Fine Arts Trust Award
Edna and Yu-Shan Han Award
D'Arcy Hayman Scholarship
Werner Z. Hirsch Award in Drawing
Hoyt Scholarship
Emma B. Keller Fine Arts Scholarship
Elaine Krown Klein Fine Arts Scholarship
Lilian Levinson Foundation Scholarship
Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship
Elizabeth Heller Mandell Memorial Scholarship
Nancy Tokar Miller Scholarship
Moss Scholar
Barbara and Joseph Naar Scholarship
Alfredo Orselli Memorial Scholarship
Evelyn and Mo Ostin Performing Arts Award
Dr. Hyman Eugene Oxman Scholarship
Aubrey Penny Scholarship
Resnick Scholarships
Placita Salais Scholarship
Edward J. and Alice Mae Smith Scholarship
Charles Speroni Memorial Scholarship
Judith and Milton Stark Scholarship
S.A. Temple Award
UCLA Art Council Award
Clifton Webb Fine Arts Scholarship
Robert J. Webster Art Scholarship
Weiser Family Foundation Scholarship
Harold M. Williams Endowed Scholarship