Organizer Information
Moore College of Art & Design is an independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1848. The institution offers undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and graduate study in Art Education and Socially Engaged Art, alongside post-baccalaureate study. Its undergraduate programs include ten BFA majors across art, design, film, photography, and related creative disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Moore College of Art & Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Post-Baccalaureate
- Degrees Offered: BFA / MA / MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Photography / Animation / Design / Art Education / Socially Engaged Art / Immersive Experience Design
- Relevant Programs: Animation & Game Arts; Art Education; Immersive Experience Design; Fashion Design; Film & Digital Cinema; Fine Arts; Graphic Design; Illustration; Interior Design; Photography; MA in Art Education; MA in Socially Engaged Art; MFA in Socially Engaged Studio Art; Post-Baccalaureate in Art Education.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes for undergraduate programs; graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants who require F-1 visas are ineligible.
- Application Period: Rolling undergraduate admissions; graduate applications have program-cycle deadlines.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate priority enrollment — 1 May; Early Action — 11 December.
- Start of Studies: Fall; graduate programs may also begin in spring or summer depending on program.
- Application Fee: $60
- Tuition: BFA full-time tuition — $54,018 for 2026–2027
- Funding: Merit scholarships, grants and other financial assistance are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Moore's current undergraduate curriculum includes ten BFA majors: Animation & Game Arts, Art Education, Immersive Experience Design, Fashion Design, Film & Digital Cinema, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, and Photography.
- The graduate curriculum includes Art Education and Socially Engaged Art, while the Post-Baccalaureate program is in Art Education. Socially Engaged Art integrates artistic practice, community engagement, collaboration, ethics, and interdisciplinary research.
- For first-year undergraduate applicants, Moore permits applicants to Film & Digital Cinema and Interior Design to submit a supplemental essay instead of a portfolio.
General Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year students if they are currently in high school, recently graduated, or have completed fewer than 12 college credits after high school. Applicants without a high-school diploma must earn a GED for admission consideration. Transfer applicants must provide college transcripts.
- Undergraduate admission is open to otherwise qualified applicants who are assigned female at birth or who identify as women, trans women, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming at the time of application.
- Graduate applicants must complete the graduate application requirements, including an interview, statement of intent, two recommendations, résumé/CV, official college transcripts, and a portfolio.
Language Requirements
International undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English and who do not hold dual U.S. citizenship must provide English-language proficiency evidence. Accepted options include TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, or SAT critical reading 500. Transfer applicants may alternatively demonstrate completion of two consecutive semesters of college-level English composition at an accredited U.S. college or university with grades of C or higher.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $60 |
| Graduate / Post-Baccalaureate | Application fee applies through Moore's admissions system |
Moore states that the undergraduate application fee is $60; fee waivers are available in specified circumstances.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFA, full-time | Domestic / International | $54,018 | Academic year | General, technology, orientation, commencement and estimated class fees |
| BFA, part-time | Domestic / International | $2,251 per credit | Per credit | Program-dependent |
| MA in Art Education | Graduate | $2,272 per credit | Per credit | General fee $101 per credit; other program fees may apply |
| Post-Baccalaureate in Art Education | Graduate/Post-Bac | $1,497 per credit | Per credit | General and technology fees |
International undergraduate tuition is the same as domestic tuition.
Funding & Financial Support
- Moore offers merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, federal aid, work opportunities, and other financial assistance. Incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate students are automatically considered for specified merit scholarships. The Visionary Honors Program provides a $25,000 annual scholarship to selected students.
- International students are automatically considered for Moore's merit-based scholarships but are not eligible for need-based financial aid from Moore or the U.S. government.
University Services & Academic Support
Moore provides academic resources including the Connelly Library, Margaret Minik Writers Studio, Locks Career Center, international study opportunities, career guidance, studios, digital laboratories, and specialized facilities. Film & Digital Cinema students have access to a dedicated film studio, editing bays, cameras, lighting and sound equipment.
Application Requirements
- For undergraduate first-year applicants, required materials include a completed application, official high-school transcript, and an 8–12-piece portfolio, with the Film & Digital Cinema and Interior Design exception noted above. SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, and recommendation letters are optional.
- Graduate applicants must submit a completed application, Director Interview, Statement of Intent, two recommendation letters, résumé/CV, official college transcripts, and a portfolio of 10–15 recent images.
- International applicants must provide official translated academic records when required.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Action Deadline: 11 December 2026
- Undergraduate Priority Enrollment Date: 1 May 2027
- Graduate Summer Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Graduate Fall Deadline: 1 July 2027
- Graduate Spring Deadline: 1 December
- Fall 2026 Start of Studies: 27 August
Graduate application deadlines are program-cycle deadlines, while undergraduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space remains available.
Location
Moore College of Art & Design — Philadelphia, United States
Additional Details
- Graduate and post-baccalaureate programs have an important international-visa restriction: because of the hybrid nature of the graduate curriculum, applicants requiring an F-1 visa are ineligible for these programs. International applicants holding another active visa status may apply.
- International undergraduate students who require an F-1 visa must provide satisfactory financial documentation before Moore issues an I-20.