Organizer Information
The University of Denver (DU) is a private research university located in Denver, Colorado, United States. Its College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences includes the School of Art & Art History and the Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies. These academic units offer undergraduate and graduate education in visual arts, art history, museum studies, film production, media and interdisciplinary creative practices. The university offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral education across its academic divisions.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Denver
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MS, MFA, PhD and other professional degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Museum Studies, Film, Media, Journalism, Music, Theatre, Design, Technology and Humanities
- Relevant Programs: Art; Art History; Art, Culture & Technology; Studio Art; Pre-Art Conservation; Film Studies and Production; Art History MA; Art History MA with Museum Studies concentration
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by study level and program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 1 November and 15 January; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Start of Studies: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, depending on the program
- Application Fee: From $65
- Tuition: Undergraduate: $1,770 per credit; graduate tuition varies by program
- Funding: Merit scholarships, departmental scholarships, grants and graduate assistantships.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offers programs in visual arts, art history, film, media and interdisciplinary creative studies.
Relevant academic disciplines and programs include:
- Art: BA in Art, covering visual art practices, techniques, theory and criticism.
- Art History: BA in Art History, with opportunities for museum-related academic and professional experience.
- Studio Art: BFA in Studio Art, with concentrations or study areas including ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
- Pre-Art Conservation: BFA combining studio art, art history, languages, chemistry and conservation techniques.
- Art, Culture & Technology: BA exploring the relationship between artistic practices, technology, media and culture.
- Film: BA in Film Studies and Production, covering film history, theory, criticism and practical production.
- Museum Studies: MA in Art History with a Museum Studies concentration.
General Eligibility
- The University of Denver accepts applications from domestic and international students.
- Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the university's academic admission standards and submit the required application materials. Admission decisions consider academic performance, coursework, essays, recommendations and extracurricular involvement.
- Graduate applicants must satisfy the academic and program-specific admission requirements established by their intended department.
- International applicants must meet the applicable English-language proficiency and immigration documentation requirements.
Educational Background
Undergraduate applicants
Applicants must hold a high school diploma or an accepted equivalent. Transfer applicants must provide college or university transcripts from previously attended institutions.
Graduate applicants
Applicants to the MA in Art History must hold an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or an internationally recognized equivalent.
The university's general graduate admission standards require applicants to meet at least one of the following GPA conditions:
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- A GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits.
- An earned master's degree or higher from a recognized institution.
- A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for applicants with graduate coursework who have not earned a master's degree or higher.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an official exemption.
| English Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 January 2026) | 80 |
| TOEFL (new scoring system, from 21 January 2026) | 4.0 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
The MA in Art History specifies a minimum Cambridge C1 Advanced score of 176.
Applicants may qualify for exemptions through qualifying English-medium secondary or university education. Some programs may impose higher language requirements.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | First-year applicants | $65 |
| MA in Art History | Graduate applicants | $65 |
| MA in Art History | International applicants | Additional $50 credential evaluation fee |
The undergraduate application fee is non-refundable. Graduate applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must also pay the applicable $50 international credential evaluation fee.
Tuition
| Study Level | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional undergraduate programs | Domestic and international | $1,770 | Per credit |
| Traditional undergraduate programs | Full-time enrollment of 12–18 credits | $21,240 | Per quarter |
| Bachelor's Completion program | Eligible students | $603 | Per credit |
| Graduate programs | Domestic and international | Program-specific | Per credit or applicable program structure |
The standard undergraduate full-time tuition for three quarters is $63,720 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Additional mandatory fees
For 2026–2027, common graduate charges include:
- Technology fee: $8 per credit per quarter or semester.
- Health and Counseling Fee: $258 per quarter for graduate students.
- Graduate Activity Fee: $14 per quarter.
- Graduate RTD College Pass: $43 per quarter.
- Health insurance: $2,200 for fall and spring terms, subject to applicable waiver conditions.
Funding & Financial Support
The University of Denver provides financial support through institutional scholarships, departmental awards, grants and graduate assistantships.
Graduate students may be considered for:
- Departmental scholarships and grants.
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships.
- Graduate Research Assistantships.
- Graduate Service Assistantships.
- Doctoral fellowships.
Graduate assistantships may include tuition waivers and monthly stipends. Award availability and eligibility depend on the academic department and individual program.
International students may apply for eligible departmental scholarships and graduate assistantships. However, international students are generally ineligible for US federal financial aid and Federal Work-Study. Funding is competitive and is not guaranteed.
University Services & Academic Support
The university provides academic and professional development opportunities through its academic departments and institutional facilities.
Relevant resources include:
- Vicki Myhren Gallery: Exhibition opportunities for students, including Studio Art BFA graduates.
- Madden Museum of Fine Art: Opportunities for academic engagement and practical museum experience.
- Denver Art Museum partnerships: Hands-on learning and professional exposure for art students.
- Internships: Local and national internship opportunities through the School of Art & Art History.
- International Student & Scholar Services: Immigration guidance, transportation, housing information and academic resources for international students.
- Research and Academic Support: Access to university libraries, faculty guidance and research opportunities.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants
- Completed Common Application or Pioneer Application.
- Official high school transcripts or GED documentation.
- Application essay.
- School counselor recommendation.
Additional teacher or mentor recommendations are optional. SAT and ACT scores are optional under the university's test-optional policy.
Applicants to BFA programs in the School of Art & Art History must submit a portfolio as part of their supplemental application materials.
Graduate applicants — MA in Art History
- Completed graduate application.
- Academic transcripts from every previously attended college or university.
- Degree certificate where the transcript does not indicate the awarded degree.
- Required letters of recommendation.
- Required essays and statements.
- Art History research writing sample.
- Official English-language test scores, where applicable.
Applicants with international academic credentials must provide the original documents and certified English translations when their transcripts are not in English.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate — First-Year Applicants
- Early Decision I / Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision II / Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline for Early Action and Regular Decision: 1 May 2027
Undergraduate — International Transfer Applicants
- Fall Quarter Priority Deadline: 1 April 2027
- Fall Quarter Final Deadline: 1 June 2027
- Winter Quarter Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Spring Quarter Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Summer Quarter Deadline: 1 May 2027
Graduate — MA in Art History
- Priority Deadline: 1 February 2027
- International Submission Deadline: 5 May 2027
- Final Submission Deadline: 15 July 2027
- Start of Studies: September 2027 (Fall Quarter)
Location
University of Denver — Denver, Colorado, United States
Additional Details
- The School of Art & Art History offers undergraduate BA and BFA programs and graduate MA-level study.
- Students interested in the Studio Art BFA enter the relevant BA program initially and pursue the BFA under faculty guidance after enrollment.
- The MA in Art History offers a Museum Studies concentration.
- The university's undergraduate and graduate admissions processes use different application systems and have separate fee structures.
- Graduate admission deadlines, tuition rates and additional requirements vary by academic program.
- International graduate applicants must provide financial verification documentation, including a bank statement or certificate of deposit, to demonstrate sufficient funds for their studies.
- International applicants should begin the graduate application process early because external credential evaluation can take up to three weeks. Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences+3