Organizer Information
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) is a public university in Fredericksburg, Virginia, offering undergraduate and graduate education. Its College of Arts and Sciences includes academic programs in studio art, art history, communication and digital studies, music, and theatre. The Department of Art provides studio-based study across digital media, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The university also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performing Arts, with concentrations including acting, musical theatre, design and technology, and stage management.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Mary Washington
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BFA, MBA, MS, MEd, MSN
- Academic Fields: Studio Art, Art History, Digital Media, Photography, Theatre, Music, Communication and Digital Studies, Business, Education, Nursing
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art; Art History; Communication and Digital Studies; Theatre; BFA in Performing Arts; MBA; MS in AI in Business; MEd with Initial Teacher Licensure; MS in Nursing
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by applicant category, degree program, and entry term
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year priority and regular filing dates; transfer and graduate deadlines vary
- Start of Studies: Fall, spring, and summer entry options, depending on program
- Application Fee: $0 through the UMW Application; $50 listed as the general application fee
- Tuition: Undergraduate, from $4,794.50 per semester for in-state students; graduate, from $548 per credit hour for in-state students
- Funding: Merit scholarships and other financial aid opportunities, subject to eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Relevant arts and creative disciplines include:
- Studio Art: Digital media, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
- Art History: Historical and critical study of visual art.
- Theatre and Performing Arts: Acting, musical theatre, stage management, design and technology, theatre history, directing, and arts management.
- Communication and Digital Studies: Communication and digital media-related academic study.
The university also offers programs in business, education, nursing, and other liberal arts and sciences fields. Eligibility for each major depends on the applicable admissions and degree requirements.
General Eligibility
- UMW accepts domestic and international applicants for undergraduate study. First-year applicants generally apply following secondary education, while transfer applicants must provide records from previously attended colleges or universities.
- Graduate applicants must meet the admission requirements of their chosen program. International applicants must satisfy applicable academic documentation and English-language requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate: Applicants must submit secondary-school academic records or equivalent examination credentials.
- Transfer: Applicants must submit records from previously attended postsecondary institutions.
- Graduate: The MEd with Initial Teacher Licensure requires a bachelor's degree. Other graduate programs have program-specific requirements.
- BFA in Performing Arts: Applicants undergo additional assessment according to their intended concentration. Acting and musical theatre applicants must audition and interview; design and technology and stage management applicants must submit a portfolio and participate in an interview.
Language Requirements
International undergraduate applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency unless eligible for a waiver. UMW lists the following accepted options:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- Pearson Test of English: 58
- International Language Academy Intensive English Program: completion of Level 12
- SAT and ACT scores may also qualify applicants under the university's published criteria.
Waivers may be requested in specified circumstances, including certain English-language educational backgrounds. Applicants should confirm the requirements applicable to their entry term and program.
Application Fee
| Application route | Fee |
|---|---|
| UMW Application | $0 |
| Common Application | $50 general fee listed by UMW |
Tuition
| Study level/enrollment | Applicant category | Tuition | Mandatory comprehensive fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, full-time, per semester (12–18 credits) | Virginia resident | $4,794.50 | $3,098.50 | $7,893 |
| Undergraduate, full-time, per semester (12–18 credits) | Out-of-state | $11,723.50 | $3,098.50 | $14,822 |
| Undergraduate, part-time, per credit | Virginia resident | $370 | $182 | $552 |
| Undergraduate, part-time, per credit | Out-of-state | $949 | $182 | $1,131 |
| Graduate, per credit | Virginia resident | $548 | $182 | $730 |
| Graduate, per credit | Out-of-state | $1,165 | $182 | $1,347 |
- A mandatory processing fee of $30 per semester also applies. First-time undergraduate students entering in spring are charged a $225 New Student Programs and Arrival Fee. Additional charges may apply to particular courses, services, or activities.
- These published figures distinguish Virginia residents from out-of-state students; international applicants should confirm their applicable classification and full cost of attendance with Student Accounts.
Funding & Financial Support
- UMW offers merit scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. First-year applicants are automatically considered for applicable university scholarships, including merit awards for students submitting test scores and curriculum awards for test-optional applicants. Awards are subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
- International applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover at least one year of academic and living expenses and meet the university's financial documentation requirements for immigration processing. Admission and scholarship consideration should not be interpreted as a guarantee of funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Department of Art provides studio facilities for practical work across several visual-art disciplines. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, visiting artist lectures, demonstrations, critiques, workshops, and opportunities to exhibit their work.
- UMW Galleries offers exhibitions and activities connected to curatorial projects, exhibition design, gallery internships, and artist talks. Studio Art students also complete a senior exhibition showcasing their development. Access to particular facilities and opportunities depends on the relevant program and activity.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants
- Completed UMW Application or Common Application.
- Application essay.
- Official high-school transcript and Secondary School Report.
- At least one letter of recommendation.
- Applicable application fee or approved waiver.
- English-language proficiency evidence for international applicants, unless an approved waiver applies.
- Required examination records where applicable.
International transfer applicants
- Academic records from secondary school and every previously attended college or university.
- Certified English translations of records not issued in English.
- English-language proficiency documentation or an approved waiver.
BFA in Performing Arts
- Acting and musical theatre: audition and interview.
- Design and technology: current résumé, personal statement, portfolio, and interview.
- Stage management: portfolio and interview.
Applicants to the BFA may submit additional materials through the university's official BFA Materials Submission Form or through the other submission options described by the department. Requirements for other programs must be checked individually.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate first-year applicants
- Early Decision: 1 November
- Early Action: 15 November
- Regular Decision: 1 February
- Early Decision notification: Mid-December
- Early Action notification: By 31 January
- Regular Decision notification: By 1 April
Undergraduate transfer applicants
- Spring admission: 15 October
- Summer admission: 1 March
- Fall admission: 1 April
Graduate applicants
- MBA — Fall: 1 August
- MBA — Spring: 15 November
- MBA — Summer: 1 April
- MEd — Fall: 15 April
- MEd — Spring: 15 September
- MEd — Summer: 15 February
Location
University of Mary Washington — Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States
Additional Details
- The university's arts offering is primarily undergraduate-focused; applicants seeking a graduate degree specifically in fine art should confirm program availability before applying.
- International applicants must account for visa-processing time and provide financial documentation that meets UMW's requirements.
- The published 2026–2027 tuition schedule may be revised by the university.
- Requirements for auditions, interviews, portfolios, and other creative materials are program-specific and should not be generalized across all majors.