Visual Arts + Sound Art FAQ

It is not possible for prospective students to sit in on classes, but tours of studios and facilities led by current students are offered regularly. Please see tour dates and times here

Each MFA student is provided with a private art studio with 24-hour access in one of the School of the Arts facilities. Additionally, students have access to a woodshop, a metal shop, a kiln, a laser cutter, two digital media labs, several darkrooms, wide format inkjet printers, digital photography and video equipment, projectors and printmaking facilities.

Columbia University School of the Arts and Columbia University Student Financial Services work carefully with students to arrange the financing of their degrees. Film & Media Studies MA students are ineligible for need-based institutional aid from the School of the Arts.  In rare cases, Film & Media Studies MA students may be compensated for teaching assistant and/or research assistant positions. Please see Financing Your Degree for information and important financial aid application procedures and deadlines.

The Visual Arts MFA program is a two-year full time program. There is no part-time study available.

The Visual Arts MFA program is an interdisciplinary program. Applicants are separated into disciplines (Painting, Printmaking, Expanded Practice | Sculpture, Moving Image, and Photography) for the application process. Once accepted, students may explore other disciplines and work in any area they choose.

Between 1000–1200 students apply each year for 27 spaces.

You must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university but it does not have to be in Visual Arts.

All information can be found on our website. For additional information, please fill out our Request for Information form or email us at [email protected].

The School of the Arts receives applications from students with a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds. Applicants do not need to have a comprehensive academic background or extensive professional experience in their field, but they must demonstrate familiarity with major issues and artists.

Columbia University Apartment Housing consists of a limited number of apartment shares, dormitory-style rooms and a very limited number of one-bedroom, studio and family units for which priority is given to couples and families. This housing is primarily located within walking distance of the campus in the Morningside Heights neighborhood.

Applications for Columbia University Apartment Housing are made only after a student has been admitted, and are handled by the University Apartment Housing (UAH) Office. Please see the Housing page for more information.

You can check the status of your application and supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, by going to the Status page in the online application. You will be able to view all documents processed thus far. This page will be updated periodically. Application materials that are not submitted through the online application system make take up to two weeks to be updated on your application checklist.

You apply using the online application, where you will provide your personal information and all supporting materials. Please see the Admissions and Financial Aid page for information.

You may only enroll in one degree program at a time, even if you are accepted into more than one. The only exception to this is the joint JD/MFA Theatre Management and Producing Program.

Tuition for the current academic year is detailed here. Please note that this amount is likely to increase each year.

Yes. Please see the Application to Two Programs section of the Application and Admissions Policies page.

Please see the Application and Admissions Policies page for information on notification of admission.