Organizer Information
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States. Its relevant academic units include the Department of Art and Design, within the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Media Arts, within the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. These departments offer undergraduate and graduate study in studio art, graphic design, art history, photography, animation, film production, and related creative media fields.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Middle Tennessee State University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: B.A., B.S., B.F.A., M.S., M.F.A., and other degrees across the university
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Photography, Film, Animation, Media Production, Media Management, and Journalism
- Relevant Programs: Art, Art History Concentration; Art, Studio Art Concentration; Art, Graphic Design Concentration; Art Education; Photography, B.F.A.; Animation; Video and Film Production, B.S.; Film and Television, M.F.A.; Journalism, Media Design Concentration, B.S.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Applications are accepted for multiple academic terms; program-specific periods may apply.
- Application Deadline: International undergraduate applicants — Fall: 1 July; Spring: 1 November of the previous year. Graduate deadlines vary by program.
- Start of Studies: Fall, Spring, and, for eligible applicants, Summer
- Application Fee: $30 for international undergraduate applicants; $50 for new graduate applications.
- Tuition: From $1,311 per undergraduate credit hour and $1,722 per graduate credit hour for out-of-state students, before applicable fees.
- Funding: International merit scholarships and selected graduate funding opportunities.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- MTSU offers study in visual arts, art history, studio practice, graphic design, photography, animation, filmmaking, video production, motion design, and media-related disciplines. The Art and Design department offers both broad-based art degrees and professionally oriented B.F.A. programs. Media Arts offers production-focused degrees and concentrations.
- Applicants should select a program that matches their academic background and career objectives. Eligibility, prerequisites, and additional admissions requirements may differ between departments and degree levels.
General Eligibility
- MTSU accepts international applicants at undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants must meet the university's admissions requirements and any additional conditions established by their intended program.
- For undergraduate admission, first-time freshmen are assessed using secondary-school preparation and the university's published academic criteria. Transfer applicants are assessed according to previous college coursework and applicable GPA requirements. Graduate applicants must meet the College of Graduate Studies' minimum academic standards and any higher program-specific requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants: Must provide academic records documenting secondary education. Transfer applicants must also provide records from previous postsecondary institutions.
- Graduate applicants: Must hold at least a bachelor's degree. The general graduate admissions standard requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants with previous graduate study must meet the published GPA standards for both graduate and undergraduate work.
- Program-specific conditions: Individual departments may impose higher academic requirements or additional prerequisites.
Language Requirements
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 85 |
| iTEP | 3.5 |
| Pearson Test of English | 59 |
| ELS | Level 110 certificate |
MTSU's international admissions page also lists TOEFL iBT, but its displayed minimum score should be checked directly with the university before applying. Higher requirements apply to certain professional programs, including nursing and professional pilot programs. Graduate applicants must consult the international graduate admissions requirements and their intended program's rules.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Fee (USD) | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| International undergraduate | $30 | One-time, non-refundable |
| New graduate applicant | $50 | One-time, non-refundable |
| Graduate readmission applicant who qualifies for readmission | $0 | No application fee |
Tuition
| Study level | Out-of-state tuition | Program services fee | Total for 15 credits, per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $1,311 per credit for the first 12 credits; reduced rate thereafter | $1,188 at 13 or more credits | $17,706 |
| Graduate | $1,722 per credit for the first 10 credits; reduced rate thereafter | $1,188 at 11 or more credits | $20,118 |
- The semester totals above are the university's published totals for 15 credits, including the program services fee. They exclude additional course-specific charges, housing, meals, books, and other personal expenses.
- Additional charges may include materials fees, specialized course fees, and mandatory international student health insurance. MTSU lists annual health insurance at $1,729 for international students who do not carry qualifying private insurance. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Funding & Financial Support
- MTSU offers merit-based international undergraduate scholarships for eligible first-year and transfer students attending on an F-1 visa. Published awards are $6,000, $12,000, or $16,000 per academic year, depending on academic achievement and the applicable scholarship criteria. Awards are competitive, renewable subject to conditions, and distributed until funds are exhausted. Priority deadlines are 1 June for Fall and 1 October for Spring.
- Graduate applicants may also investigate international graduate merit scholarships, departmental awards, and competitive graduate assistantships. Eligibility and funding amounts depend on the specific opportunity; funding is not guaranteed.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant support includes the following officially documented resources:
- Art and Design facilities: Studio-based learning and access to department-specific facilities.
- Photography facilities: Digital printing labs, editing stations, scanning facilities, traditional and alternative-process darkrooms, studios, and photographic equipment for student use.
- Media Arts facilities: Production equipment, postproduction labs, audio facilities, and a sound stage for hands-on learning.
- Career Development Center: Career advice, employment preparation, and job-search resources for students and alumni.
- International student support: The Office of International Affairs provides admissions guidance and support relating to international student requirements.
Access to specific facilities and equipment depends on the program, course, and applicable university policies.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the materials required for their applicant category and intended program.
- Undergraduate applicants: Official secondary-school transcripts and, where applicable, official postsecondary transcripts. First-time freshmen must submit ACT or SAT scores under the published undergraduate admissions policy.
- International undergraduate applicants: Official academic transcripts from all secondary and postsecondary institutions attended, proof of English proficiency unless exempt, and additional documentation required for international admission and immigration processing.
- Transfer applicants: Official records from previous institutions; applicants with fewer than 24 U.S. credit hours must also submit secondary-school transcripts.
- Graduate applicants: Official transcripts and evidence of the required prior degree. Additional materials depend on the specific graduate program.
Program-specific requirements, including portfolios, creative samples, statements, recommendations, interviews, or other materials, must be verified on the relevant program's official admissions page. They should not be assumed to apply to every art or media program.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- International Undergraduate — Fall Priority Deadline: 1 July each year.
- International Undergraduate — Spring Deadline: 1 November of the previous year.
- International Undergraduate — Summer Deadline: 1 April each year; only applicants already in the United States are eligible under the published deadline policy.
- International Graduate — Fall Deadline: 1 June each year.
- International Graduate — Spring Deadline: 1 October of the previous year.
- International Graduate — Summer Deadline: 1 March each year; only applicants already in the United States are eligible under the published deadline policy.
- International Undergraduate Scholarship Priority Deadline — Fall: 1 June.
- International Undergraduate Scholarship Priority Deadline — Spring: 1 October.
- First-Time Freshman — Fall Scholarship Consideration Priority: 1 December.
- First-Time Freshman — Fall Admission Decision Priority: 1 July.
- First-Time Freshman — Spring Admission Decision Priority: 15 December.
- Transfer Students — Fall Scholarship Consideration Priority: 1 March.
- Transfer Students — Fall Admission Decision Priority: 1 July.
- Transfer Students — Spring Admission Decision Priority: 15 December.
These are recurring deadlines published by MTSU, not confirmation that every program is currently accepting applications for a particular term. Applicants should confirm the relevant admissions cycle and program deadline before applying.
Location
Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Additional Details
- The M.F.A. in Film and Television is a 60-credit, on-campus graduate program that launched in Fall 2026. Applicants should consult the current graduate catalog for program-specific admission requirements and application terms.
- MTSU's undergraduate and graduate tuition rates use different billing structures. International applicants should budget for tuition, mandatory fees, health insurance where applicable, and living expenses.
- Scholarship eligibility, award availability, and renewal conditions must be checked against the current official funding rules.
- Program-specific deadlines and admissions requirements take precedence where they differ from general university guidance.