Organizer Information
Moravian University is a private university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. The university offers undergraduate and graduate education across the arts, humanities, sciences, education, and professional disciplines. Its Art Department provides undergraduate programs in studio art, photography and media, graphic and interactive design, art history and criticism, and art education. Students can pursue Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, with additional pathways for art educators.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Moravian University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; post-baccalaureate; graduate-level teacher education
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and post-baccalaureate certification pathways
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Photography, Media Arts, Graphic and Interactive Design, Art History, Art Education
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art BA/BFA; Studio Art, Photography/Media Concentration BA/BFA; Graphic and Interactive Design BA/BFA; Art Education BA; Post-Baccalaureate Art Education Certification; MAT in Art Education
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes, for eligible undergraduate programs; graduate eligibility depends on the program
- Application Period: Fall and spring undergraduate entry; graduate application periods depend on the program
- Application Deadline: Early Action: 15 November; Regular Decision: preferably before 15 March; international undergraduate fall entry: 1 June; spring entry: 1 November
- Start of Studies: Fall or spring semester, depending on the program
- Application Fee: $0 for undergraduate applications
- Tuition: $54,810 per academic year for full-time undergraduate tuition; comprehensive fees total $57,250
- Funding: University-funded financial aid, scholarships, and grants are offered to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Moravian University's Art Department offers several pathways for students interested in creative practice, visual communication, photography, and arts education.
- Studio Art: Traditional and contemporary studio practice, drawing, painting, sculpture, and related media.
- Photography/Media: Photography, digital imaging, video, and media arts.
- Graphic and Interactive Design: Graphic communication, typography, digital design, and interactive media.
- Art Education: Studio practice, art history, educational theory, and preparation for teaching.
- Art History and Criticism: Available as a BA track.
- Interdisciplinary study: Art students may pursue self-designed majors incorporating art, independent study, and courses from other disciplines.
The BFA is available in Studio Art, Studio Art with a Photography/Media concentration, and Graphic and Interactive Design. The BA provides additional flexibility for study in other disciplines.
General Eligibility
- Moravian University accepts domestic and international applicants for eligible undergraduate programs. Applicants entering directly from secondary school generally apply as first-year students, while those who have undertaken college or university study after secondary school must apply through the transfer pathway.
- Prospective art majors are encouraged, but not required, to submit a portfolio with their undergraduate application. Portfolio submission is therefore optional for the general undergraduate art admission process.
- International applicants requiring an F-1 student visa must follow the university's international admissions requirements, including official academic records and proof of English proficiency unless an approved exemption applies.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants: Must have completed, or be completing, secondary school or an equivalent qualification. Transfer applicants must submit records from previously attended institutions.
- Studio Art, Photography/Media, and Graphic and Interactive Design: Applicants apply through undergraduate admissions; a portfolio is encouraged but not mandatory for general first-year art admission.
- Art Education BA: Students must meet the department's academic standards for entry into upper-level education coursework and formal admission to the teacher education program.
- Post-baccalaureate Art Education/MAT: Candidates' prior undergraduate art coursework is reviewed. Additional art courses may be required to meet Pennsylvania educator-certification competencies.
For the Art Education BA, students need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 to enter the Education Program and must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.00 GPA in education coursework to remain enrolled. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 applies to education courses numbered 200 and above.
Language Requirements
English proficiency requirements apply to international undergraduate applicants unless the university grants a waiver.
| Accepted test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 |
| Pearson Test of English | 54 |
| iTEP Academic Plus | 4.5 |
| Cambridge English | B2 First |
| SAT | 1100 |
| ACT | 21 |
| AP English | 4 |
| IB Language and Literature | 5 |
Applicants may qualify for a waiver through specified prior education in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand. Some programs may impose higher language standards.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year applicants | $0 |
| Undergraduate transfer applicants | $0 |
The university confirms that undergraduate applications can be submitted without an application fee.
Tuition
| Fee | Per semester | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, full-time | $27,405 | $54,810 |
| Student activity fee | $130 | $260 |
| Technology fee | $1,090 | $2,180 |
| Full-time comprehensive fee | $28,625 | $57,250 |
| Part-time tuition, fewer than 12 credits | $6,090 per four-credit course | — |
Additional charges may apply according to enrollment and course selection.
| Additional charge | Official amount |
|---|---|
| Art kit/supplies fee | $75–$175 |
| Art lab fee | $75–$175 |
| International student orientation fee | $275 |
| Matriculation fee, new students | $500 |
| Matriculation fee, transfer students | $400 |
| Health insurance | $3,144 |
Housing, dining, and other charges are billed separately where applicable. The published tuition page does not establish that every listed miscellaneous fee applies to every art student.
Funding & Financial Support
- Moravian University reports providing more than $60 million annually in university-funded financial aid and maintains scholarship and fellowship resources. Eligibility and award amounts depend on the relevant aid program and applicant circumstances. The university also identifies graduate program discounts through participating local employers.
- International applicants should confirm their eligibility for individual scholarships and aid programs before relying on an award to finance their studies.
University Services & Academic Support
Art students can access discipline-related learning opportunities through the Art Department, subject to course and program requirements.
- Studio and creative practice: Studio-based coursework in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and digital media.
- Exhibitions: Student exhibitions on and off campus, including senior thesis exhibitions for relevant studio programs.
- Professional experience: Internship opportunities and professional practice coursework in applicable programs.
- Graphic design experience: Studio South, the university's in-house graphic design studio, provides a professional practice context.
- Art education experience: Field placements and supervised student teaching form part of the Art Education BA pathway.
- Academic development: Independent study and self-designed majors allow eligible students to pursue focused or interdisciplinary interests.
Application Requirements
For undergraduate first-year applicants, the university's published requirements include:
- Completed Moravian University Application or Common Application.
- Official high school transcript.
- Contact information for at least one recommender.
- Standardized test scores, which are optional under the university's test-optional policy.
- Personal essay, recommended but not required.
- Portfolio: Encouraged, but not required, for prospective art majors.
International applicants must also submit certified academic records and evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for a waiver. Records not issued in English must be accompanied by an official English translation under the university's rules.
Transfer applicants must submit official records from previously attended colleges or universities. For transcripts from institutions outside the United States, an approved credential evaluation may be required.
Applicants to the Art Education BA must meet the department's academic requirements for entry into teacher education. The post-baccalaureate/MAT pathway may require additional undergraduate art coursework and applicable content-area testing for Pennsylvania certification.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Alternative Application Portal
- International Undergraduate Admissions Portal
- Art Department Programs Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate first-year applicants
- Early Action Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: Before 15 March preferred
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
International undergraduate applicants
- Fall Semester Application Deadline: 1 June 2027
- Spring Semester Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
Transfer applicants
- Spring 2027 Priority Deadline: 1 December 2026
Art Education BA
- Field placements: During the degree, before the student-teaching semester.
- Student teaching: 14 weeks, as stated by the program.
The general first-year admissions page lists 1 May 2026 as the deposit deadline. Because that date has passed, applicants seeking entry in 2026–2027 should confirm the applicable enrollment deadline directly with admissions. The international deadlines are published as suggested application deadlines.
Location
Moravian University — Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States.
Additional Details
- The BA and BFA options differ in the amount of required art coursework. The Studio Art BFA requires 17 art course units, compared with 13 for the Studio Art BA.
- The Photography/Media concentration is available within both the BA and BFA pathways.
- Art Education degree and certification requirements are specific to Pennsylvania. Applicants intending to teach elsewhere should check the certification rules in their intended jurisdiction.
- International eligibility for graduate study is program-specific. The university's international graduate admissions page lists eligible graduate programs separately; applicants should confirm eligibility before applying to a particular graduate pathway.