Organizer Information
Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) is a public research university in Indianapolis, Indiana, and part of Indiana University. Relevant creative and media study is offered through the Herron School of Art + Design, the School of Liberal Arts, and the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Herron offers undergraduate and graduate education in visual arts, design, art therapy, photography, and related disciplines, while IU Indianapolis also offers undergraduate study in film, television, and media arts.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Indiana University Indianapolis
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, B.A.E., BFA, BS, MA, MFA, M.S., PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Photography, Design, Art Therapy, Film, Television, Media Arts, Music Technology
- Relevant Programs: Applied Theatre, Film, and Television (B.A.); Media Arts and Science (B.S.); Herron B.A.E. and B.F.A. programs including Art Education, Ceramics, Drawing & Illustration, Furniture Design, Integrative Studio Practice, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Visual Communication Design; M.A. in Art Therapy; M.F.A. in Visual Art; Music Technology graduate degrees.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate deadlines vary by applicant category and intake; Herron graduate applications for 2027–2028 open 5 September 2026.
- Application Deadline: Program- and applicant-specific
- Start of Studies: Fall entry for Herron graduate degree programs; undergraduate entry terms include fall, spring, and summer.
- Application Fee: $65 undergraduate; $70 graduate
- Tuition: International undergraduate estimated tuition and fees: $36,110 for 9 months; graduate costs vary by program.
- Funding: Scholarships, fee remission, fellowships, and graduate appointments are available through Herron; eligibility varies by program and applicant.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- IU Indianapolis provides creative study across visual arts, design, photography, film and television, digital media, and art therapy. The B.A. in Applied Theatre, Film, and Television includes Film and Television Studies and Film and Television Studies/Production concentrations. The B.S. in Media Arts and Science includes areas such as video production and sound design, digital storytelling, animation, visual effects, and digital media.
- Herron's B.A.E. and B.F.A. programs require portfolios. For graduate study, the M.F.A. in Visual Art accepts applicants with a fine-arts studio background or a bachelor's degree containing significant studio-art coursework, while the M.Des. allows applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds; however, the M.Des. is currently undergoing redesign and is not accepting applications for 2027–2028.
General Eligibility
- International and domestic applicants may apply, subject to the requirements of the individual program. International undergraduate applicants must complete secondary school before enrollment and meet IU Indianapolis English-proficiency standards. Competitive undergraduate programs may impose additional qualifications.
- Graduate applicants must meet the academic requirements of their specific program. For example, Herron's M.A. in Art Therapy requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, 18 credits of studio art, and 12 credits of psychology prerequisites. M.F.A. Visual Art applicants should hold a bachelor's degree with a fine-arts studio major or substantial studio-art coursework.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants may demonstrate English proficiency through several accepted routes. The minimum IELTS score is 5.5; TOEFL iBT is 60, and the Duolingo English Test is 95 for applications beginning with Spring 2027. Some educational and examination-based alternatives are also accepted.
- For Herron graduate programs such as the M.F.A. in Visual Art and M.Des., IELTS must total 6.5 or higher or TOEFL iBT 79 or higher. Program-specific standards may exceed the campus minimum.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Application Fee | Other Mandatory Application Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Applicants | $65 | — |
| Graduate | Applicants | $70 | Herron SlideRoom portfolio fee: $10 where applicable |
The undergraduate fee is nonrefundable, with specified waivers and exemptions. Herron's $10 SlideRoom fee is nonrefundable and cannot be waived.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition / Tuition & Fees | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | International | $36,110 estimated tuition and fees | 9-month academic-year estimate |
| Graduate | International | Program-dependent; international students are charged the out-of-state rate | Per credit or program-specific flat rate |
For 2026–2027, international undergraduate cost estimates include mandatory fees and are based on nine months. The international services fee is $165.61 per semester for students with F-1 or J-1 paperwork. Graduate tuition varies by school and program.
Funding & Financial Support
Herron graduate students are automatically considered for scholarships based on their admission application when they meet the relevant priority deadlines. Graduate students may also apply for fellowships and graduate appointments, while fee remission is available through selected awards. Herron also lists a minimum $5,000 Holly Fehnel Heck Art Therapy Fellowship for eligible full-time M.A. Art Therapy students. Funding is not guaranteed.
University Services & Academic Support
IU Indianapolis provides academic advising, academic support and tutoring, library services, career services, research opportunities, and international student support. Herron provides specialized studios, exhibition spaces, labs, and discipline-specific facilities; its graduate programs also emphasize faculty interaction, interdisciplinary study, and studio development.
Application Requirements
- Requirements vary by program. Herron's undergraduate B.A.E. and B.F.A. applicants must submit a portfolio of 10 recent original works plus a 250–500-word essay through SlideRoom.
- Herron graduate applications commonly require an online application, official transcripts, résumé/CV, personal statement, recommendation letters, portfolio or work samples, and proof of English proficiency for applicable international applicants. The M.F.A. Visual Art requires 10 portfolio files; the M.A. Art Therapy requires 10 images across three files and three recommenders.
- M.F.A. Visual Art and M.A. Art Therapy finalists may be interviewed.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Herron graduate applications open: 5 September 2026
- M.A. Art Therapy application deadline: 17 January 2027
- M.F.A. Visual Art funding-priority deadline: 17 January 2027
- M.F.A. Visual Art final application deadline: 1 April 2027
- Herron M.F.A. supplemental-material deadline: 22 January 2027 for funding consideration; 8 April 2027 for the final deadline.
- International undergraduate fall “apply by” deadline: 1 May 2027
- International undergraduate spring “apply by” deadline: 8 December 2026
- International undergraduate transfer/second-degree fall deadline: 1 June 2027
- International undergraduate transfer/second-degree spring deadline: 8 December 2026
Location
Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States
Additional Details
Graduate and professional admissions at IU Indianapolis are decentralized, so applicants must verify the requirements and deadline of the department offering their specific degree. International applicants are encouraged to submit materials early because visa-document processing and visa appointment availability can affect enrollment timelines.
Herron's M.Des. program is undergoing redesign and is not accepting applications for 2027–2028. The university's official graduate admissions page also states that Music Therapy applications are not being accepted for that academic year.