Organizer Information
The University of Puget Sound is a private university in Tacoma, Washington, United States. It offers undergraduate programs across the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, alongside graduate programs in education, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health. Its Department of Art and Art History offers study in studio art, art history, and digital media, including creative practices connecting art and technology.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Puget Sound
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; graduate; doctoral-level professional study
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BM, MAT, MEd, MPH, MSOT, OTD, DPT, and other program-specific degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Digital Media, Theatre Arts, Music, Education, Public Health, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Counseling
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art; Art History; Digital Media; Theatre Arts; Music; Master of Arts in Teaching; Master of Education; Master of Public Health; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August; graduate application periods vary by program
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 1 November (Early Decision/Early Action); 15 January (Regular Decision), subject to the applicable admission cycle
- Start of Studies: Fall or spring, depending on the program
- Application Fee: $60 listed on the 2026–27 tuition and fees page
- Tuition: Undergraduate full-time tuition: $67,550 per academic year for 2026–27
- Funding: Merit scholarships, international student scholarships, need-based aid, and program-specific awards
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Relevant options for artists, designers, and creative practitioners include:
- Studio Art: Undergraduate studio practice and visual art development.
- Art History: Historical, theoretical, and critical study of visual art.
- Digital Media: Digital image processing, graphic design, typography, animation, interaction design, creative coding, and related interdisciplinary practices.
- Theatre Arts: Theatre-making and related performance practices.
- Music: Undergraduate music study, including performance and music education.
The university encourages interdisciplinary study, and its digital media curriculum connects creative practice with technology. Applicants should consult individual program requirements to determine whether previous study in a particular discipline is necessary.
General Eligibility
- The university accepts applications from domestic and international students. Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year or transfer students, subject to the relevant admission requirements. International applicants must provide the required academic records and financial documentation.
- Graduate eligibility depends on the program. Applicants should check the relevant graduate admissions page for degree prerequisites, prerequisite coursework, and any professional or clinical requirements.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit official secondary-school records. Transfer applicants must provide academic records from previously attended institutions.
- Graduate applicants must meet the educational prerequisites of their chosen program. The university's graduate programs have different admission requirements, so a single minimum degree requirement cannot be applied across all programs.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English must provide English-proficiency evidence unless an exemption applies.
- The university recommends the following minimum scores for first-year international applicants:
| Test | Recommended score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 |
Applicants whose previous college or university used English as the language of instruction are exempt from providing English-proficiency proof under the stated undergraduate policy.
Graduate requirements vary. For international graduate applicants, the university lists the following requirements:
| Program | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Health | 92 | 7.0 | 115 |
| Physical Therapy | 100 | 9.0 | Not accepted |
| Occupational Therapy | 80 | 6.5 | 105 |
| Master of Education | 80 | 6.5 | 105 |
| Master of Arts in Teaching | 80 | 6.5 | 105 |
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate admission | $60 | The 2026–27 official fee schedule lists this amount; waivers are available to eligible applicants. |
| School of Education | $60 | Listed on the official fee schedule. |
Tuition
| Study level/category | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, full-time | $67,550 | Per academic year |
| Undergraduate, part-time | $8,535 per unit | For students enrolled in fewer than 3 units |
| Graduate programs | Program-specific | Consult the relevant graduate tuition schedule |
- For full-time undergraduate students in 2026–27, the comprehensive student fee is $638 per year. The standard on-campus housing charge is $4,480 per semester, and the standard meal plan is $4,090 per semester. Housing and dining charges depend on the student's living and meal-plan arrangements.
- Other costs may include books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and additional course-specific fees. These are not all billed directly by the university. Students taking applied music lessons may incur an additional fee of $250 per quarter unit, capped at $500 for lessons on the same instrument.
Funding & Financial Support
The university offers several forms of financial assistance:
- Merit-based scholarships: International first-year applicants receive automatic consideration for merit scholarships, with awards listed up to $45,000 per year.
- International Student Scholarship: Listed at $2,000 per year.
- Lillis & Matelich Scholarship: Full-ride scholarships covering tuition, housing, and the meal plan for four years, with additional application steps.
- Talent-based scholarships: Available in Music, Theatre, Art & Art History, and Forensics; award amounts and deadlines vary.
- Graduate funding: Program-specific scholarships include Master of Public Health awards of up to $20,000 for fall 2026 and Occupational Therapy scholarships covering 25–50% of tuition.
Awards are subject to eligibility conditions, deadlines, and program-specific rules. These figures should not be interpreted as guaranteed awards.
University Services & Academic Support
The university provides academic and student support relevant to creative and international students:
- Digital Media Studio: Flexible production and exhibition space, a computer lab with 15 dedicated workstations, high-performance computing equipment, cameras, lighting, projectors, motion-capture systems, and industry-standard software.
- International student support: The Office of International Programs assists admitted international students with visa and I-20 processes and provides on-campus support.
- Language and writing support: The Language Partner Program connects multilingual students with writing advisers.
- Academic mentorship: Faculty mentorships provide individualized support for students.
Access to particular facilities and resources may depend on course enrollment, program participation, and university policies.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants must submit:
- Common Application, including the required personal essay.
- School Report.
- Official high school transcript.
- Recommendation from a school counselor.
- Teacher evaluation.
- Application fee or approved fee waiver.
- International Verification of Finances form, for international applicants.
- English-proficiency evidence, where required.
SAT and ACT scores are optional under the university's test-optional policy. Interviews are also optional; international applicants are encouraged to interview through InitialView or Vericant.
Transfer applicants must provide the Common Application, personal essay, official academic records, and the applicable institutional recommendations and reports. International transfer applicants must meet the relevant international documentation requirements.
Graduate applicants must follow the requirements for their specific program. Physical Therapy applications use PTCAS, and Occupational Therapy applications use OTCAS. Additional materials and deadlines vary by program.
A portfolio is not listed as a universal undergraduate admission requirement on the general first-year checklist. Applicants seeking talent-based awards in Art & Art History or other creative fields should check the relevant program or scholarship instructions for any portfolio, audition, or additional submission requirements.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate admission
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
Graduate admission
- Physical Therapy Priority Admission Deadline: 15 September 2026
- Physical Therapy Regular Admission Deadline: 2 November 2026
- Occupational Therapy Priority Admission and Fellowship Deadline: 20 September 2026
- Occupational Therapy Regular Admission and Fellowship Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Master of Public Health Priority Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education Regular Decision Deadline: 15 February 2027
Location
University of Puget Sound — Tacoma, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- Admission-cycle verification: The undergraduate admissions page retrieved for this review lists deadlines for fall 2026, which are not necessarily the deadlines for fall 2027 entry. Applicants should confirm the next applicable cycle before submitting an application.
- Application-fee discrepancy: The official 2026–27 fee schedule lists $60, while other official admissions pages list $65. Confirm the amount displayed in the active application system.
- Program-specific requirements: Portfolio, audition, interview, prerequisite, and additional-document requirements should be verified with the relevant academic department or scholarship office.
- Graduate admissions: Application systems, academic prerequisites, language scores, tuition, and deadlines differ by program. The general undergraduate requirements should not be applied to graduate applicants.