Organizer Information
Adelphi University is a private university located in Garden City, New York, United States. Its academic offerings include undergraduate and graduate programs in visual arts, art education, art history, creative writing, and educational theatre. Relevant programs are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Adelphi University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MS, PhD and other professional degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Graphic Design, Photography, Illustration, Art Education, Creative Writing, Theatre
- Relevant Programs: Art (BA/BFA); Art & Design Education (BFA); Art History (BA); Art Education (MA); Creative Writing (MFA); Educational Theatre (MA)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate Early Action and rolling admission; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate Early Action: 1 November; priority consideration for rolling admission: 1 March. Graduate deadlines are program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring entry, depending on program
- Application Fee: Undergraduate $50; graduate $60, with program-specific exceptions
- Tuition: Undergraduate full-time tuition from $52,110 per academic year; selected graduate programs from $930 per credit
- Funding: Scholarships and need-based financial assistance are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Adelphi offers undergraduate study in studio art, including painting, printmaking, photography, digital art, illustration, ceramics, and sculpture. The BFA in Art includes a graphic design concentration. Art History is available as a BA and minor, while Animation and Art Therapy are available as minors.
- Graduate options relevant to creative and educational fields include the MA in Art Education, the MFA in Creative Writing, and the MA in Educational Theatre. Applicants should consult each program's admissions requirements for any discipline-specific prerequisites or creative work samples.
General Eligibility
- Adelphi accepts domestic and international applicants at undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants must meet the academic and application requirements for their chosen program. First-year undergraduate applicants must have completed, or be completing, recognized secondary education. Graduate applicants must satisfy the entry requirements of their intended degree.
- International applicants must also meet applicable academic-record, English-language, and immigration-document requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate programs: Applicants must graduate from a recognized four-year secondary school or provide evidence of equivalent preparation.
- Graduate programs: Applicants generally must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or an accepted international equivalent.
- MFA in Creative Writing: Applicants must submit a final transcript documenting a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution.
- International credentials: Graduate applicants with undergraduate-level study completed outside the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-member organization.
Language Requirements
International applicants who are required to demonstrate English proficiency must meet the university's published minimum score for an accepted test. Current minimums include:
- TOEFL iBT: 80
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 110
- Michigan English Test: 61
- LanguageCert: B2
Approved exemptions depend on the applicant's educational background and other published criteria. Applicants should verify whether their circumstances qualify for a waiver before applying.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $50 |
| Graduate | $60 |
| MFA in Creative Writing | Waived |
Undergraduate applicants may contact Admissions about fee waivers. Graduate fee waivers are available to U.S. veterans, Adelphi alumni, and current students, subject to the university's policy.
Tuition
| Program or study category | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate BA programs | $52,110 | Per year, full-time |
| Undergraduate BFA in Art | $52,110 | Per year, full-time |
| MA in Art Education, on campus | $1,805 | Per credit |
| MA in Art Education, online | $930 | Per credit |
| MFA in Creative Writing, low-residency | $1,005 | Per credit |
- The undergraduate annual rate applies to full-time enrollment of 12–17 credits at the Garden City campus, subject to program-specific exceptions. The low-residency MFA also charges a $1,665 residency fee in each fall and spring term to cover room and board.
- Additional mandatory fees include university and technology fees, student activity fees, library resource fees, and health and wellness fees, depending on enrollment and campus. Full-time undergraduate students generally pay $1,940 annually in the listed university and student fees combined? The official schedule lists these charges separately: $1,490 for university and technology fees, $250 for student activities, $100 for library resources, and $100 for health and wellness. Additional course-specific charges may apply.
Funding & Financial Support
- Adelphi offers scholarships and need-based financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students. Early Action applicants are considered early for a range of scholarships and need-based assistance. Graduate applicants are reviewed for potential Adelphi scholarship opportunities following acceptance, without a separate application for Adelphi scholarships. Funding amounts and eligibility vary; admission does not guarantee an award.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant university services include academic libraries and research resources, career services, counseling, and academic support. Art students can study across studio practices including photography, digital art, ceramics, sculpture, and graphic design. Access to specific studios, facilities, and specialist resources depends on the course and program.
- International students can access the university's international admissions guidance and support for immigration-document processing. Students requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 must submit the required enrollment deposit before document processing can begin.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants
- Completed Common Application.
- Nonrefundable $50 application fee, unless waived.
- Official high school transcript.
- Personal statement or essay, encouraged by the university.
Graduate applicants
- Completed program-specific application.
- Official transcripts and verification of bachelor's degree completion.
- Course-by-course credential evaluation for international undergraduate study, as required by Adelphi.
- Essay or personal statement where required by the program.
- Recommendation letters where required.
- Résumé, which applicants may upload through the application or status portal.
MFA in Creative Writing
- Applicants must submit a personal statement of up to 1,000 words and a manuscript in one of the accepted formats: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or mixed-genre writing. One academic or professional reference letter is encouraged but not required. The application fee is waived for this program.
- Portfolio, audition, interview, and additional creative-material requirements must be confirmed on the official page for the particular program.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admissions
- Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Rolling Admission Priority Deadline: 1 March 2027
- Early Action Decision Notification: Beginning 15 November 2026
- Early Action Decision Notification Target: By 31 December 2026, provided all application materials are submitted by 1 November
- Recommended Fall I-20/DS-2019 Processing Date: 15 July
- Recommended Spring I-20/DS-2019 Processing Date: 15 December
Graduate admissions
- MA in Art Education — Spring Priority Deadline: 1 November
- MA in Art Education — Summer Priority Deadline: 1 April
- MA in Art Education — Fall Priority Deadline: 1 July
- MFA in Creative Writing — Spring Priority Deadline: 15 October
- MFA in Creative Writing — Spring Final Deadline: 1 November
- MFA in Creative Writing — Fall Priority Deadline: 1 May
- MFA in Creative Writing — Fall Final Deadline: 15 May
Location
Adelphi University — Garden City, New York, United States
Additional Details
- Undergraduate tuition and fees are subject to annual revision by the university's Board of Trustees.
- Some programs have separate application systems, additional requirements, or different deadlines.
- International applicants should allow sufficient time for credential evaluation, enrollment deposits, immigration documents, and visa appointments.
- Applicants should confirm the current program curriculum, admissions requirements, tuition, and application dates before making financial or enrollment decisions.