Organizer Information
The University of Louisville is a public research university located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Its College of Arts and Sciences houses the Hite Institute of Art + Design, which offers undergraduate and graduate study in studio art, art history, graphic design, interior design, and related disciplines. Graduate options include studio-based artistic practice and art history and curatorial studies.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Louisville
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Interaction Design, Product Design, Critical and Curatorial Studies, Photography
- Relevant Programs: BA in Art; BFA in Art and Design; MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies; MFA in Studio Art + Design
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by program and entry term.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate departmental deadlines and graduate deadlines vary by program.
- Start of Studies: Fall; some undergraduate programs also admit students for spring.
- Application Fee: $30 undergraduate; $65 graduate.
- Tuition: International undergraduate tuition and fees are estimated at $29,960 for two semesters, before separately listed international fees and health insurance.
- Funding: Graduate assistantships, fellowships, and program-specific funding opportunities.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
The Hite Institute of Art + Design offers programs for students interested in studio practice, visual culture, design, art history, and curatorial studies.
- Studio Art: Ceramics, drawing, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video, sound, and mixed media.
- Art History: Historical and critical study of visual art, architecture, and visual culture.
- Graphic Design: Visual communication, editorial design, identity systems, and related design practices.
- Interior Design: Design of interior environments.
- Interaction Design and Product Design: Available as BFA tracks.
- Art History and Curatorial Studies: Graduate-level historical research, critical theory, and curatorial practice.
- Studio Art + Design: Graduate-level creative practice across multiple media.
Applicants should consult the individual program requirements to determine accepted academic backgrounds and any discipline-specific admission conditions.
General Eligibility
- The university accepts international applicants at undergraduate and graduate levels. Admission depends on the intended program, academic qualifications, English proficiency, and completion of the applicable application requirements.
- Graduate applicants to the Hite Institute must apply for degree-seeking admission; the department does not offer non-degree graduate status. Applicants seeking graduate study in art and design must also satisfy the relevant program-specific requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants: Must satisfy the university's first-year or transfer admission requirements and submit official academic records.
- Graduate applicants: Must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an appropriately accredited institution. International credentials are subject to the university's credential-review requirements.
- MFA in Studio Art + Design: Applicants must provide the program-specific portfolio and written materials.
- MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies: Applicants must provide the required statement of purpose and writing sample.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless an applicable exemption is granted.
For international undergraduate applicants, accepted evidence includes:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall.
- TOEFL iBT: 79 for tests taken before January 2026; for tests taken from January 2026, the university lists a minimum overall score of 4.0 on the revised scale, with at least 4.0 in each skill.
- Duolingo English Test: 105.
- Pearson Test of English: 55, with no subscore below 53.
- Other accepted qualifications include TOEFL Essentials, SAT, ACT, AP, and IB English results.
The university also lists transcript-based exemptions for applicants who have completed two consecutive years of qualifying full-time study in English.
Graduate applicants must check the Graduate School's current requirements and any program-specific conditions. The university's graduate admissions information lists IELTS 6.5, with no subscore below 5, and Duolingo 105 among accepted qualifications.
Application Fee
| Application category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate international application | $30 |
| Graduate application | $65 |
| MFA portfolio submission via SlideRoom | $10 |
The MFA portfolio fee is separate from the Graduate School application fee.
Tuition
| Study level / applicant type | Tuition and billing structure | Additional mandatory costs |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Kentucky and eligible Southern Indiana residents | $13,614 annually for tuition and fees | Housing and meal plans, if applicable |
| Undergraduate, non-resident and international students | $29,960 for two semesters | International student fees and health insurance |
| Graduate, resident | $7,767 per semester for full-time study (9+ credits) | Applicable university and course fees |
| Graduate, non-resident | $15,787 per semester for full-time study (9+ credits) | Applicable university and course fees |
- Undergraduate international students are additionally listed as paying $150 in international student fees and $3,290 for mandatory health insurance for the two-semester period. The university lists an estimated nine-month living expense of $13,250 and average books and supplies of $980 separately. These are cost estimates, not tuition charges.
- Tuition rates and charges may change. Graduate tuition for the MFA and MA should be confirmed against the current bursar schedule and any program-specific funding arrangements.
Funding & Financial Support
- The university offers graduate funding opportunities, including assistantships and competitive fellowships. International graduate students may be eligible for assistantship positions that typically include full tuition and a stipend. Some applicants may also be nominated by their departments for Graduate School fellowships. Funding is competitive and is not guaranteed.
- The MFA in Studio Art + Design is advertised by the Hite Institute as a three-year, 60-credit program with guaranteed funding. Applicants should confirm the current funding terms, conditions, and coverage directly with the department.
University Services & Academic Support
The Hite Institute provides academic and creative support relevant to art and design students, including:
- Faculty mentorship: Graduate students work with faculty artists, curators, and scholars.
- Studio and facilities access: The institute provides dedicated studio space and specialized facilities for relevant programs.
- Exhibition opportunities: Graduate students can develop their work through exhibition opportunities, including the MFA thesis exhibition.
- Academic advising: Undergraduate students can access academic advising and career-planning resources.
- Graduate admissions guidance: Prospective students can contact the relevant graduate director to discuss program fit, portfolios, and studio visits.
Access to specific facilities and opportunities depends on program enrollment and institutional policies.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the materials required for their intended study level and program.
Undergraduate applicants
- Completed undergraduate application through the university's Take Flight Application or Common App.
- Non-refundable $30 application fee.
- Official academic records from secondary and postsecondary institutions attended.
- Proof of English proficiency, unless exempt.
- Additional documents required for first-year or transfer admission, as applicable.
Graduate applicants — general requirements
- Completed Graduate School application.
- Non-refundable $65 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Two letters of recommendation addressing academic and/or artistic achievements.
MFA in Studio Art + Design
Applicants must submit the following through SlideRoom:
- Portfolio containing 20 images demonstrating conceptual and technical skills.
- Artist's statement, maximum 500 words.
- Statement of intent outlining educational and professional goals, maximum 500 words.
- Résumé, maximum two pages.
- Separate $10 SlideRoom submission fee.
MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies
Applicants must submit through the Graduate School application portal:
- Statement of purpose, 500 words, explaining their goals in art history or curatorial studies.
- Writing sample, typically an advanced art history paper.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
The following are published departmental deadlines. The official pages list month and day but do not establish a specific year for each recurring deadline.
Undergraduate Art and Design
- Studio Art — Fall admission: 15 April.
- Studio Art — Spring admission: 15 November.
- Graphic Design — Departmental admission deadline: 15 April.
- Interior Design — Spring-only departmental admission route: 15 November.
Graduate Programs
- MFA in Studio Art + Design — Fall admission: 15 January.
- MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies — Fall admission: 15 January.
- MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies — Extended deadline, subject to available space: 1 May. Applicants must contact the department before applying under the extended deadline.
Location
University of Louisville — Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Additional Details
- Undergraduate departmental admission requirements may apply in addition to university admission. For example, students entering Graphic Design after their first year must complete Design Foundations courses and submit a departmental application.
- International applicants must follow the university's immigration documentation requirements after admission, including providing evidence of financial support and a passport biographical page for the applicable visa-document process.
- The published tuition and fee schedules are subject to change. Applicants should confirm the final cost for their intended program, particularly at graduate level.
- The May 1 extended deadline for the MA is conditional on space availability and should not be treated as a guaranteed additional application period.