Organizer Information
St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) is a public liberal arts college located in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, United States. The institution offers undergraduate programs across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, alongside selected graduate study. Its academic offerings include the Department of Art and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. The college welcomes international applicants to its degree programs.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Photography, Digital Media Art, Design-related studio practice, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences
- Relevant Programs: Art major and minor; Art History; Master of Arts in Teaching
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications for fall and spring; MAT applications for fall
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year deadlines include 1 November and 15 January, depending on application plan; MAT priority deadline is 29 November 2026
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring for undergraduate students; fall for MAT
- Application Fee: $50
- Tuition: 2026–2027 undergraduate tuition starts at $12,855 per year for Maryland residents
- Funding: Merit scholarships and selected institutional awards; eligibility varies by applicant and program.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- SMCM’s Department of Art offers an undergraduate Art major leading to a BA and an Art minor. Students can explore drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, animation, and digital media art. Art History is also available as a separate academic field. The curriculum combines studio practice with critical inquiry and interdisciplinary study.
- The college also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching for applicants pursuing teacher preparation. The program is relevant to prospective educators, including those interested in teaching art, subject to the program’s admissions and academic requirements.
General Eligibility
- SMCM accepts first-year, transfer, and international applicants. First-year applicants generally include students who have not completed high school or who have not attempted college credits after graduating from high school. Applicants with previous college study should review the transfer admission requirements.
- The college does not require an art portfolio for admission to the Art major or minor. However, first-year applicants may submit a portfolio for feedback and to demonstrate artistic achievement. Interviews are recommended for undergraduate applicants, but they are not a universal admission requirement.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must submit official secondary-school transcripts. Applicants with previous college or university study must also submit the applicable college transcripts. Transfer applicants must provide a College Registrar Report from their most recent institution.
- For the Master of Arts in Teaching, applicants must follow the graduate program’s specific academic and application requirements. Applicants whose graduating GPA is below 3.0 must arrange a discussion with the chair of Educational Studies about their options; those with a GPA above 3.0 do not need basic-skills test scores under the stated program policy.
Language Requirements
- English is the language of instruction. International applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency if English is not their native language or the primary language of instruction at their secondary school, or if they have received English-language support or completed English-language learner coursework.
- SMCM requires standardized English-proficiency testing for applicants who meet these conditions. Applicants should consult the official international admissions guidance for accepted tests, minimum scores, and any applicable exemptions.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Waivers |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $50 | Available to eligible first-generation applicants and applicants with approved fee waivers |
| Transfer undergraduate | $50 | Available to eligible first-generation applicants, Phi Theta Kappa members, and applicants with approved fee waivers |
Tuition
The official 2026–2027 schedule lists the following estimated annual expenses for full-time undergraduate students taking at least 12 semester-hours. Tuition depends on residency classification.
| Cost category | Maryland resident | Washington, D.C. resident | Non-Maryland resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | $12,855 | $22,856 | $29,909 |
| Annual mandatory fees | $3,495 | $3,495 | $3,495 |
| Housing, on-campus | $9,185 | $9,185 | $9,185 |
| Meals | $6,990 | $6,990 | $6,990 |
| Total billable costs, on-campus | $32,525 | $42,526 | $49,579 |
- Maryland residents commuting to campus have estimated billable costs of $16,350, including tuition and fees. Housing and meals are additional costs for commuters who arrange them independently. Students taking more than 19 undergraduate credits may incur a tuition overload fee of $361 for Maryland and D.C. residents or $489 for out-of-state students.
- The Master of Arts in Teaching has a separate tuition structure. Graduate applicants should consult the official MAT program and tuition pages for the applicable rate. The figures above are undergraduate rates and should not be applied to graduate study.
Funding & Financial Support
SMCM offers merit-based scholarships and institutional awards. International applicants may be eligible for merit scholarships, with decisions made by the Office of Admission. International students should not assume eligibility for all state, federal, or institutional financial aid programs; the college states that institutional financial assistance resources for international applicants are extremely limited.
Art students may also apply for selected departmental awards, including:
- Frank McCutcheon Family Art Award: $400 annually for an eligible junior or senior Art major demonstrating artistic promise.
- William Thomas Rowe Endowed Art Scholarship: An annual award for an eligible junior or senior Art student.
- Capstone Studio Art Travel/Study Award: Awards of up to $1,000 for eligible Art and Art History students undertaking capstone projects.
These awards have specific eligibility and application conditions; they are not guaranteed to all students.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Department of Art provides studio facilities, digital resources, exhibition opportunities, faculty advising, and access to the Boyden Gallery and the college’s fine art collection. Students can also explore internships, faculty-mentored research, visiting-artist events, and study-abroad opportunities. Access and participation depend on the relevant course, project, or program.
- The Office of International Education supports international students with immigration-related paperwork, visa documentation, and preparation for studying in the United States.
Application Requirements
- Completed application, including the required essay and institutional supplement.
- Official secondary-school transcript.
- Secondary School Report and school counselor recommendation.
- Any applicable college transcripts.
- Standardized test scores where required. SMCM has a test-optional policy for many applicants, but exceptions apply.
- English-proficiency test results where required.
An additional recommendation may be submitted according to the admission instructions. An interview is recommended but is not generally mandatory.
Art portfolio: A portfolio is optional for undergraduate admission. Applicants wishing to demonstrate artistic achievement may submit 10–15 images covering areas such as drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, digital media, animation, ceramics, or sculpture. An image list should include each work’s title, year, medium, and brief description. Digital submissions must follow the college’s file-format and size specifications.
Transfer applicants: Required materials include the application, personal statement, official transcripts, College Registrar Report, and a recommendation from a college professor.
Master of Arts in Teaching applicants: Applicants must follow the MAT-specific application requirements and submit the program’s required materials. The official program page provides additional instructions regarding academic preparation and testing.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate first-year admission
- Early Decision I application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision I decision Notification: 1 December 2026
- Early Action decision Notification: 1 January 2027
- Early Decision II decision Notification: 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: 1 April 2027
- Early Decision I enrollment deposit Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II enrollment deposit Deadline: 1 April 2027
- Early Action and Regular Decision enrollment deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
Master of Arts in Teaching — 2026–2027 admission cycle
- Priority application Deadline: 29 November 2026
- First-round acceptance letters: 19 February 2027
- Rolling admissions Deadline: 21 June 2027, or earlier if all places are filled
- MAT scholarship awards: Rolling until awards are distributed or 21 June 2027, whichever comes first
Location
St. Mary’s College of Maryland — St. Mary’s City, Maryland, United States
Additional Details
SMCM’s undergraduate Art program does not require applicants to submit a portfolio for admission. Portfolio submission is an optional opportunity to demonstrate artistic work, not a universal admissions condition.
International applicants should verify English-language testing requirements and financial documentation requirements before applying. The college’s international student guidance and the relevant program page should be treated as the final authority for applicant-specific conditions.