Organizer Information
Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is a university college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering undergraduate and graduate education across art, design, media, architecture, entertainment, performing arts, and related creative disciplines. Westphal offers 17 undergraduate degree programs and eight graduate programs, with selected programs available online and several STEM-designated degrees.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Drexel University — Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BS / BArch / MS / PhD / MS/MBA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film & Television / Photography / Design / Architecture / Animation / Digital Media / Fashion / Game Design / Music / Performing Arts / Arts Administration / Art History / Urban Strategy
- Relevant Programs: Film & Television, Photography, Animation & Visual Effects, Art History, Architecture, Graphic Design, Product Design, User Experience & Interaction Design, Design MS, Digital Media MS/PhD, Arts Administration MS, Fashion Design MS, Interior Architecture & Design MS, Retail & Merchandising MS, Television & Media Management MS/MS-MBA, Urban Strategy MS.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Fall 2027 first-year applications; selected graduate programs use program-specific or rolling admissions
- Application Deadline: 15 November 2026 Early Decision/Early Action; 15 January 2027 Regular Decision
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $65 USD
- Tuition: From $1,190 per graduate credit; undergraduate full-time tuition is $21,026 per term for 2026–2027
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, merit awards, and graduate funding opportunities are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Westphal accepts applicants across a broad range of creative, design, media, architectural, performing arts, and arts-management disciplines. Undergraduate study includes Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art History, Dance, Entertainment & Arts Management, Fashion Design, Fashion Industry & Merchandising, Film & Television, Game Design & Production, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Music Industry, Photography, Product Design, Screenwriting & Playwriting, and User Experience & Interaction Design.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. For first-year applicants, portfolios are required for Animation & Visual Effects, Architectural Studies, Architecture, Fashion Design, Game Design & Production, Graphic Design, Photography, and Music Industry—Recording Arts and Music Production.
General Eligibility
- First-year undergraduate applicants must satisfy Drexel's university admission requirements and applicable Westphal requirements. International applicants are eligible to apply. Transfer admission is also available, although some Westphal programs have specific transfer restrictions and portfolio requirements.
- Graduate admission requires a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent international qualification; regular graduate admission generally requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, although individual programs may impose additional requirements.
- Dance applicants must complete an audition.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must provide secondary-school academic records. International applicants must meet the graduation requirements applicable to their country and provide the required official academic records, with English translations where required.
- Graduate applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent. Requirements can differ substantially by program. For example, the MS in Design requires an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in or related to design, while the MS in Interior Architecture & Design is a first professional degree that accepts a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
Language Requirements
- International applicants whose first or native language is not English, or who have not completed at least three full years of instruction in English, must submit an approved English-proficiency examination for undergraduate admission. Approved examinations include TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test, and Cambridge English examinations.
- Graduate requirements vary by program. For example, the MS in Arts Administration requires TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, PTE 61, or Duolingo 110, while the MS in Digital Media requires TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0, PTE 68, or Duolingo 110, unless a waiver applies.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Application Type | Application Fee | Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $65 USD | Institutional and application-system waivers may apply |
| Transfer undergraduate | $65 USD after applicable priority-fee-waiver periods | Priority applicants may receive a waiver |
| Westphal graduate programs | $65 USD | Program/institutional waivers may apply where officially provided |
Drexel's first-year application fee is nonrefundable. Transfer applicants applying by applicable priority deadlines may have the fee waived.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westphal undergraduate, full-time | Domestic / International | $21,026 per term | Per term | $790 general university fee per term; $300 first-year program fee |
| Westphal graduate — most programs | Domestic / International | $1,466 per credit | Per credit, per term | $280 full-time or $140 part-time general term fee |
| Design, Digital Media, Interior Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, Arts Administration, Fashion Design, Television & Media Management, Urban Strategy | Domestic / International | $1,190 per credit | Per credit, per term | $280 full-time or $140 part-time general term fee |
These are the latest published 2026–2027 tuition rates. Drexel states that tuition and fees may change and that some programs can carry additional charges.
Funding & Financial Support
- Drexel automatically considers eligible undergraduate applicants for merit scholarships. The Westphal Portfolio Scholarship is available to incoming first-year and transfer applicants, including domestic and international applicants, and the award amount varies. Applicants submitting a qualifying portfolio are automatically considered.
- Graduate students may be considered for the Drexel Dean's Scholarship, graduate assistantships, financial aid, and other scholarships. The Dean's Scholarship is available to eligible domestic and international students in participating on-campus master's programs. Not every Westphal program offers graduate assistantships.
University Services & Academic Support
Westphal provides portfolio-review opportunities, virtual one-to-one admissions meetings, faculty interaction, studios, laboratories, galleries, and program-specific facilities. Students also have access to Drexel's cooperative education and career-development infrastructure, including the Steinbright Career Development Center.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants must submit an undergraduate application, 250–650-word essay, official secondary-school transcripts, and one letter of recommendation. Standardized tests are optional for most applicants. International applicants must provide English-proficiency evidence when applicable and proof of financial responsibility for the U.S. visa process.
Westphal-specific requirements include:
- Portfolio required for Animation & Visual Effects, Architectural Studies, Architecture, Fashion Design, Game Design & Production, Graphic Design, Photography, and Music Industry—Recording Arts and Music Production.
- Portfolio optional for Art History, Construction Management, Entertainment & Arts Management, Fashion Industry & Merchandising, Film & Television, Interior Design, Music Industry—Business, Product Design, Screenwriting & Playwriting, Undeclared Design and Media, and User Experience & Interaction Design.
- Dance applicants must audition.
- Applicants to Architectural Studies, Architecture, and Music Industry must submit the Westphal writing supplement.
Graduate applicants generally submit a transcript, essay, résumé, and letters of recommendation. A portfolio is required for the MS in Interior Architecture; optional portfolios may be used in certain programs to request exemption from undergraduate prerequisites.
How to Apply?
Application Portal: Apply | Drexel University
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Action Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision Decision: Mid-December 2026
- Early Decision Tuition & Housing Deposit: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Admission Decision: By 1 April 2027
- Early Action Tuition & Housing Deposit: 1 May 2027
- Regular Decision Tuition & Housing Deposit: 1 May 2027
- Graduate Application Deadline — MS Arts Administration (online): 1 March 2027
- Graduate Application Deadline — MS Television & Media Management (online): 1 December 2026
- Graduate Application Deadline — MS Digital Media (online): 30 July 2027
Location
Drexel University — Philadelphia, United States
Additional Details
Drexel's Westphal College includes both undergraduate and graduate study, but admission requirements are highly program-specific. Applicants should therefore verify the requirements and deadline of the exact major or graduate program before submitting an application. The MS in Urban Strategy is not accepting students for the 2026–2027 academic year, according to the current Drexel catalog.
The university is transitioning its graduate academic calendar to semesters beginning in August 2027, which may affect program structures and academic calendars for the 2027–2028 cycle.