MFA Design for Social Innovation Application Requirements


General Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
The Fall 2025 graduate application deadline is January 15, 2025. Applications or materials received after this deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Please refer to the Graduate Admissions FAQ and Graduate Admissions Timeline for complete information on the process.
Note: All submissions become the property of the School of Visual Arts and will not be returned.
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Application & Fee
All graduate applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the nonrefundable $80 application fee.
You must enter valid credit card information in order to submit the online application.
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Statement of Purpose
Your Statement of Purpose articulates your aspirations, vision and interests, and why you feel MFA DSI can support your goals. It should also clearly state the social issue on which you will collaborate and explore during your time at MFA DSI. We aim for the Statement of Purpose to be open-ended. You can start with one of these prompts or take a different route: Tell us about a time when you faced a challenge. Tell us about a time you have been critical and responsive. Tell us what activates/animates you. Share a story that reflects your lived experience or an experience that shifted your mindset. Connect the dots and reflect upon what you hope to carry out at MFA DSI.
Format: No more than 500 words. Submit as a PDF via the SVA online application portal.
Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the Statement of Purpose.
If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.
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Résumé / CV
Submit a résumé, which should include professional experience as well as related activities such as volunteering, research, awards and exhibitions. Please include whether you have core design skills and mastery of design-related applications, including all programs in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, social media, video-editing software, HTML/programming, and collaborative tools such as Miro, Mural, etc
Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the résumé.
If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.
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Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from instructors or practicing professionals.
Online submission is available through the online application. Applicants will be required to provide the email address and contact information for their references. A “Send Email” button for each recommendation is provided to send the online form to the email address you provided for your recommender.
If your recommender is experiencing difficulty (uploading the letter via the recommendation portal, receiving emails, etc.), please instruct them to email the letter to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and graduate program in the email.
Note: The School of Visual Arts does not provide letter of recommendation forms.
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Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit official transcripts from each college or university they’ve attended. In order to be considered official, transcripts must come directly from the institution(s).
Please Note: Unofficial transcripts, screenshots, or PDFs emailed by applicants do not fulfill this requirement. There are no exceptions to this policy. Please follow the guidelines below.
Electronic Transcripts
- SVA accepts secure electronic transcripts from Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, and Credentials Solutions.
- Applicants from institutions in India should request and submit official transcripts directly through TrueCopy Credentials. Requests are processed by TrueCopy Credentials and will be sent electronically to SVA Graduate Admissions.
- Check with the registrar’s office at your institution to see if your school issues its own digital transcripts or if it’s a member of any of the organizations mentioned above. (Important Note: Please be sure that all electronic transcript submissions are directed to “Graduate Admissions” at gradadmissions@sva.edu.)
Mailing Transcripts
- Transcripts may also be submitted in an unopened envelope that is stamped and sealed by the college registrar of the issuing institution.
Please address to:
School of Visual Arts
Graduate Admissions
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Special Notes
- Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their bachelor’s degrees for the Spring or Summer 2025 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.
- All transcripts from foreign institutions must be officially translated into English and U.S. grading equivalencies. For more information, see the below accordion.
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Transcripts or Academic Records from Foreign Institutions
Applicants who have academic documents from institutions outside of the U.S. are required to provide original, attested, or certified true copies of academic records for all institutions attended. These records should be in the original language issued.
Please Note: SVA does not review PDFs or screenshots sent directly via email from applicants.
Records Not in English
For records not in English, applicants must also submit an official translation of all academic documents. Translations must be a complete, literal, word-for-word translation in the same format of the original academic document.
All foreign post-secondary (university level) transcripts should be converted into U.S. educational equivalencies. Those records that are not converted into U.S. equivalencies must be evaluated by an external evaluation agency. The evaluation should be course-by-course and include:
- Name of educational institution
- Country where institution is located
- Length of study
- U.S. educational equivalent (two-year or four-year college)
- Courses studied per academic year
- Conversion of grades/marks/final examination results into equivalent U.S. grades of A, B, C, D or F for each course evaluated
- Total credits earned
- Conversion of course hours into U.S. semester hours of credit
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4-point scale
- U.S. degree equivalent
The School of Visual Arts should be listed as the recipient of the evaluation. Transcripts may take up to six weeks to be evaluated. The original academic records must be submitted in addition to the evaluation.
The School of Visual Arts strongly recommends that international academic records be evaluated by one of the following approved external evaluation agencies:
SpanTran: Course-by-course evaluations for college transcripts.
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451
Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713.266.8805
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): Course-by-course evaluations for college transcripts.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414.289.3400
World Education Services (WES): Course-by-course evaluations for college transcripts.
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274
Phone: 212.966.6311
Please note: Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their bachelor’s degrees for the Spring or Summer 2025 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.
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English Proficiency
In addition to the general application requirements, if you are an international applicant whose preferred/native language is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following options:
A minimum score* of 79 (internet-based or paper-delivered) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- The CEEB code for the School of Visual Arts is 2835. This is the code that must be supplied to ETS in order to have TOEFL scores mailed to SVA.
- Please note this means a composite score for a single test date. SVA does not accept MyBEST TOEFL scores.
A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.
A minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test.
- Scores can be sent to SVA directly via the student portal.
A minimum score of 6 in all categories of the English proficiency examination administered by the New York University American Language Institute in New York.
- For information on taking the NYU test, call 212.998.7040.
A minimum score of 53 on the Pearson PTE Academic.
Requirement Waivers
- This requirement may be waived for native English speakers who are citizens of any of the following countries and attend schools where English is the primary language of instruction: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, India, South Africa and Common Wealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago).
- SVA will consider waiving the English proficiency exam requirement for students who have earned a degree at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Students seeking this waiver must submit a written request with their application materials.
Departmental Requirements
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Portfolio (Work Samples)
There are three options for your portfolio/work sample submissions. We would particularly like to see examples that relate to themes of social design, social impact, the environment, and/or social justice. Must include proper citations where appropriate. When submitting your portfolio/work sample:
- Submit one URL for your portfolio/work sample submission. The link can be to a personal website, Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Please make sure that all PDFs and files uploaded can be accessed and downloaded.
- We do not accept files via email.
Please choose submit one of the following options:
1. Case Study: Describe, analyze, and reflect on initiatives that you have led, collaborated, and/or that reflect your lived experience. Provide an analysis of complete case studies with an explanation of the issue, response, and outcomes, if available, including thumbnail photos of any visual elements.
Format: 1- 3 Case Studies, Max 5 pages total (including images if necessary)
2. Portfolio/Visual Work: Share examples of your visual work with a description of your role in the design approach including processes, learnings, and outcomes (communication/graphic design, design research, 2-D, 3-D, interactive design, data visualization, service design, and/or system design).
Format: 10-15 examples as a PDF or provide a URL.
3. Project Proposal: Write a proposal for a future project (this can be real or imagined) that you would like to do. Your proposal should include the following elements: Description/Summary, Background/Context, Motivation, Objectives, Research Methods, Inspiration, and Evaluation.
Format: No more than 3 pages, submitted as a PDF or provide a URL.
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Additional Capabilities
- It is recommended, though not required, that you are familiar with design applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, film/video editing software, online collaboration and facilitation tools, and mapping software.
- Course audits are available if you are not familiar with design applications. Not a designer by background? It’s ok, diverse experiences and backgrounds are welcome. A lack of design experience should not discourage you from applying.
- We find candidates are best prepared for the program if you have at least 2 years of work experience, internship experience, volunteer and/or advocacy experience.
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Supplemental Materials
Submission of a Writing Sample and/or Video Essay are helpful, but will be considered supplemental. Please email these materials directly to dsiinfo@sva.edu.
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Interviews
Applicants under consideration will be contacted to schedule an interview and will be conducted via Zoom. We welcome you to email any specific access needs related to interviews to dsiinfo@sva.edu.
Additional Information
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Who Should Apply To MFA DSI?
We’re looking for passionate, committed people from all cultural and educational backgrounds who are curious about the world’s diverse systems and environments. We welcome generalists with a breadth and depth of experience, who might find other disciplines too confining, people who like to act as much as they like to think, and who want to engage with the world creatively.
The Statement of Purpose is important; we want to understand your perspective, your thought process, and the questions you ask yourself as you approach an issue. We’ll be spending a lot of time together, and want to know as much about your hopes and ambitions as we can. Write from your heart as well as your head. Tell us why you want to study at MFA DSI, about the life you want to begin here on the day you arrive. And yes, we’re seeking those who are collaborative workers, independent learners, curious innovators, good communicators, and visual thinkers.
Including quotes and references to work or people who inspire you in your Statement of Purpose and Work Samples is encouraged.
Learn more about the types of individuals who come to DSI and the work that we do at https://dsi.sva.edu/.
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MFA DSI Application Review
All applications submitted by the priority deadline of January 15 are reviewed by our review committee with a guaranteed admission decision by March 15 or sooner.
The department continues to accept applications after the deadline as long as space in the program remains available.
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MFA DSI Departmental Awards
- MFA DSI offers financial awards and two annual scholarships awards based on merit and/or need.
- Financial awards aim to cover 5-10% of tuition costs.
- If you apply by SVA’s priority deadline (January 15), you are automatically considered for departmental awards and you will receive notice about financial awards shortly following notice of admission. More information at: https://dsi.sva.edu/apply/financial-aid-support/
- Please note MFA DSI awards are applied directly to tuition costs and cannot be used for any related fees and expenses. You must maintain good academic standing during the program to remain eligible for financial award renewal.
Apply Online
New York, NY 10010