Visual and Critical Studies: How to Apply
The Visual and Critical Studies Program at the California College of the Arts actively seeks students who have demonstrated intellectual promise and creative achievement. Each candidate’s application is evaluated on the basis of a thorough review of academic qualifications, recommendations and other evidence of preparedness for graduate study.
Students interested in applying to the dual-degree program with the Curatorial Practice, Design, Fine Arts, or Writing programs must complete two separate applications and follow the admissions requirements for each program.
All eligible candidates are evaluated on a thorough review of their qualifications and preparedness for graduate study.
January 5, 2012, is the fall 2012 application deadline. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as space permits. Please contact Noel Dahl, Director of Graduate Admissions directly at ndahl@cca.edu for further information.
Application Requirements
- Application ($70 nonrefundable fee required)
- Writing Portfolio
- Personal essay
- Résumé / Curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official college transcripts
Application
Applicants must complete and submit the application online; hard-copy, or paper, applications are no longer accepted. Apply online now. All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $70 application fee. (Note: Due to the volume of applications received, CCA is unable to return any materials; please do not submit any original/unique artworks or writings.)
Personal Essay
A personal essay of 500 to 1,000 words must accompany the application. Explain how the program fits into your writing and career goals. Describe what has influenced your desire to write about visual arts, design, and/or architecture, mentioning the theories and texts that are of particular interest to you.
Writing Portfolio
The portfolio must consist of two writing samples (5,000 words maximum per sample) demonstrating your interest in the field of visual and critical studies and your creative potential.Applicants should submit their portfolio online as a PDF by registering for a SlideRoom account specifically for CCA applicants. Once an account is registered, instructions on how to create the portfolio will be provided.
Due to the volume of submissions received, we are unable to return writing portfolios. Applicants should not submit their only copies of image files, artworks, or writing samples.
Résumé / Curriculum Vitae
Please outline your educational and professional background and relevant experiences and activities, including community work.
Transcripts
Official, sealed transcript of undergraduate coursework must be sent to the Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions (address below). Applicants who have taken graduate coursework are welcome to also send transcripts in support of their graduate application.
For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.
All admitted students who were still in the process of completing a bachelor's degree at the time of applying must send the final transcript before enrolling to verify completion of the bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than August 1, 2012. Unofficial (unsealed) copies are not accepted.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required from academic or professional sources. You must use our electronic recommendation process. This will ensure that we receive your recommendations in a timely fashion, and it is convenient for your recommenders.
When submitting your electronic application, please provide the email address for your recommenders. Your recommenders will receive the recommendation form electronically to complete and return to CCA.
Interview
Applicants may be contacted to arrange an interview with the graduate Curatorial Practice Program coordinator or a faculty member.
Dual-Degree Opportunities
Applicants who wish to apply for the dual-degree program will have the ability to submit a single application. However, applicants must submit portfolios (visual/written) that meet requirements for each program.
International Applicants
In addition to the above stated application requirements, [/admissions/international/gradapplicants) must submit supplemental materials. Please review carefully prior to applying to the Visual and Critical Studies Program.
All documents and portfolio are due by January 5, 2012.
Include application materials when applying online. If you cannot send electronically, please mail to:
California College of the Arts
Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107-2247
Phone: 415.703.9523
Fax: 415.703.9539
graduateprograms@cca.edu
Graduate Visual and Critical Studies Merit Scholarships
The graduate curatorial practice admissions committee selects a limited number of outstanding students for a prestigious graduate merit scholarship. For the 2011–12 academic year the renewable awards was $11,000 per year.
The Dean’s Scholarship
The Dean of the College selects highly qualified applicants to receive these select competitive and endowed awards. The awards range from $1,000 to full tuition.
Diversity Scholarships
The graduate division awards several entering students special diversity scholarships. Last year these renewable awards ranged from $11,000 to $24,000 per year.
Teaching Assistantships
CCA's graduate teaching assistantships are based on merit and are awarded by the graduate chairs in conjunction with graduate faculty in the second year.