ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

The application period will open early October.

Application Requirements

University Application Requirements

•    GRE scores (required for ALL applicants - must be taken within the last five years)

*   TOEFL scores (required for all applicants whose first language is not English)

•    Two original transcripts from each university attended
•    Statement of Purpose
•    Completed application form
•    Three letters of recommendation
•    Application fee ($125)

Information about applying for admission is available from Graduate Admissions.

The application deadline for Art History:  9:00 p.m./PST on December 6, 2011
The application deadline for Art Practice and Design:  9:00 p.m./PST on January 10, 2012
The application deadline for Documentary Film & Video:  9:00 p.m./PST on January 10, 2012

Departmental Admission Requirements

See individual web page for specific program requirements.

M.F.A. Art Practice or M.F.A. in Design

For specific application requirements, please see the M.F.A. in Art Practice page or the M.F.A./M.S. in Design page.  Read this carefully.

Applicants are not required to have a B.F.A.; a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited school is sufficient, but it is expected that the applicant will have a strong background in art practice, an undergraduate degree or close to the equivalent in coursework in art practice, or at least three years of independent studio practice.

A portfolio is required.  All applicants are expected to have a substantial body of work represented in their portfolio, which is the most important part of the application, and should give evidence of the applicant’s maturity, imagination and skill.


The application review takes place between mid-February and mid-March; applicants are notified of their status by March 15th.  Students accepted to the program are admitted for the beginning of the following autumn quarter.  No applicants for mid-year entrance are considered.

M.F.A. in Documentary Film & Video

For specific application requirements, please see the M.F.A. in Documentary Film & Video page.  Read this carefully.

The program is intensive and requires residency for two consecutive years. The admissions committee seeks applicants who are highly motivated, have some work experience beyond their undergraduate years, and can articulate why they want to learn documentary film and video production. The committee looks for evidence of the likelihood of success in an academically demanding program that emphasizes creative work. The conceptual and technical skills required for documentary work are sufficiently different from fictional narrative to make the Stanford program inappropriate for students interested in narrative filmmaking.

Each year, eight students are admitted to the program. In addition to the required application materials available above, the M.F.A. Program in Documentary Film & Video requires a portfolio of sample work. If possible we would like to screen a VHS or DVD (NTSC only) copy of film or video work for which the applicant has had creative control. The tape or DVD must be well labeled and accompanied by a brief synopsis, the circumstances of production, and the applicant's role.

Applicants who have had only minimal film or video production experience should submit an example of their best creative work, in any medium.

Ph.D. in Art History

For specific application requirements, please see the Ph.D. in Art History page.  Read this carefully.

The Department requires a research paper of approximately 15-20 pages (including bibliography and images), demonstrating the student’s capacity to pursue independent investigation of an art historical problem as part of the application.  We will not accept entire Master’s theses.

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For all programs,  supplemental application materials must be sent directly to:

Elis Imboden

Department Administrator
Department of Art & Art History
Stanford University
Cummings Art Building
435 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA  94305-2018

Questions?  Please refer to our FAQ pages.  If you are unable to find the answer, send an email to: [email protected]




Rev 2/6/12