Organizer Information
Official Institution Name: Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Institution type: Independent, degree-granting college of art and design in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1826, MICA describes itself as the oldest independent, continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the United States.
MICA offers undergraduate and graduate education across fine arts, design, media arts, art history, and art education, with dedicated academic resources and career-development services.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA; MA; MFA; MAT; MPS; MA/MBA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film & Video, Animation, Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Sculpture, Painting, Social Design, Game Design, Creative Media Production, Art Education and related fields.
- Relevant Programs: Film & Video BFA; Creative Media Production BFA; Animation BFA; Photography; Illustration; Graphic Design; Filmmaking MFA; Photography + Media & Society MFA; Illustration Practice MFA; Illustration MA; Graphic Design MA; Social Design MA; Studio Art MFA and other graduate programs.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes.
- Application Period: Undergraduate deadlines include November 16, 2026, February 1, 2027 and March 15, 2027; residential graduate applications have Round 1 and Round 2 deadlines of January 19 and March 19.
- Application Deadline: Program/level-specific
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the listed undergraduate Fall 2027 admissions cycle.
- Application Fee: $60 undergraduate; $75 graduate
- Tuition: $58,310 per academic year for 2026–27 full-time undergraduate and applicable fall/spring graduate programs.
- Funding: Merit-based scholarships, competitive scholarships and other financial aid are available.
General Eligibility
- MICA accepts both domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year or transfer students.
- For graduate admission, requirements vary by program. MICA states that graduate applicants generally do not need a specific bachelor's-degree field or a particular GPA, although individual programs can establish additional requirements.
Educational Background
Graduate applicants must provide proof of a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Program-specific academic prerequisites apply where stated. For example, the M.A.T. requires a minimum 3.0 GPA over the most recent two years of post-secondary education and a strong creative practice or equivalent experience.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
International applicants must satisfy MICA's international admissions and immigration requirements. After admission, students requiring an F-1 visa must demonstrate sufficient financial support for tuition and living expenses.
Language Requirements
- For undergraduate international applicants whose first language is not English, MICA requires one of the following minimum scores: IELTS 6.0, PTE 58, Duolingo 105, or TOEFL minimum 4 on the post-January 21, 2026 TOEFL scale; the previous TOEFL requirement was 72.
- For graduate applicants whose primary language is not English, MICA requires TOEFL iBT 75 or IELTS 6.0. Certain applicants educated for at least three years at an English-language institution may qualify for a waiver.
Application Fee
| Study Level | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $60 |
| Graduate | $75 |
The undergraduate fee applies through the Common Application; graduate program application procedures specify a $75 fee.
Tuition
| Study Level / Programs | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All | $58,310 | $29,155/semester; $2,430/credit for part-time | Program and student charges may apply |
| Fall/Spring Graduate Programs, including Filmmaking MFA | All | $58,310 | $29,155/semester; $2,430/credit | Student Life $687.50/semester; Technology $405/semester; Security Deposit $150; Orientation $225 |
The 2026–27 graduate figures apply to the listed fall/spring programs. Students without qualifying health insurance are required to participate in MICA's health-insurance program, estimated at $3,500 for August–July coverage.
Funding & Financial Support
MICA automatically considers applicants to residential MFA and MA programs for partial merit scholarships. Current graduate information states awards can cover 10%–70% of tuition, while MICA's international-financing page identifies a half-tuition MICA International Graduate Fellowship for one outstanding international student each year. MICA does not offer full-tuition/full-ride graduate scholarships.
International undergraduate students can compete for MICA merit scholarships and certain competitive scholarships; international students may also submit the CSS Profile for consideration for need-based assistance.
University Services & Academic Support
MICA provides academic advising, writing support, research assistance, international education services and student-success resources. Decker Library provides research consultations, specialized art and design collections, film/video resources and access to study and research spaces.
The Joseph Meyerhoff Center for Career Development provides individualized career advising, professional development and access to career opportunities for students and alumni.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must submit an application, academic transcripts and a 10–15-piece portfolio. SAT/ACT scores are optional. Letters of recommendation are optional.
Graduate requirements vary by program and can include a CV/resume, transcripts, proof of degree, written statement, recommendation letters, and portfolio.
For the MFA in Filmmaking, applicants must submit a CV/resume, 500–800-word personal statement, a synopsis for a five-minute silent film, a dialogue scene, a feature-script concept, two letters of reference, proof of degree/equivalent and a creative portfolio. The filmmaking portfolio can include film/video, visual-art or written-media samples.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application: MICA Application / Common Application information
- Graduate Application: MICA Graduate Application
Deadline & Timeline
- Spring 2027 Application Deadline: 16 November 2026
- Fall 2027 Early Action Priority Deadline: 16 November 2026
- Fall 2027 First-Year Regular Decision Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Fall 2027 Transfer Regular Decision Deadline: 15 March 2027
- Residential Graduate Round 1 Deadline: 19 January
- Residential Graduate Round 2 Deadline: 19 March
- Online Graduate Fall Start: 20 August
- Online Graduate Spring Start: 9 January
- Online Graduate Summer Start: 27 April
Location
Maryland Institute College of Art — Baltimore, United States
Additional Details
The Film & Video BFA became a standalone major in Fall 2026, expanding from its previous structure as a co-major/minor pathway. MICA's Film & Video program is based at the JHU–MICA Film Centre and covers writing, directing, cinematography, sound and editing.
Graduate requirements are substantially program-specific. Applicants should therefore review the individual program's application-procedure page before submitting materials. MICA also states that programs with remaining capacity may accept applications on a rolling basis.