English and the Visual Arts

Applicants who meet the academic and creative requirements for admission to School of Visual Arts (SVA) and have a good grasp of English, but do not yet meet the English proficiency requirements for undergraduate study, may qualify for the English and Visual Arts Program (EVA). 

The score requirements for the English and Visual Arts Program are a score of 65–79 on the internet version of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 46–52 on the Pearson PTE Academic or a 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The English and the Visual Arts Program is a three-semester program that begins in summer. The program offers intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) study during the summer and combines ESL and BFA studio coursework for the fall and spring semesters. The program allows artistic development through required BFA studio courses while improving English skills through ESL courses.

Transfer students with college-level coursework may be eligible to receive credit for liberal arts or studio coursework at another educational institution. The highest level placement is sophomore (2nd year) due to English language skills. The program is also open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents whose primary language is not English or whose English proficiency does not meet the requirements for undergraduate study at SVA.

Students who begin the program may also test out of the English and Visual Arts Program in between the summer/fall or fall/spring semesters by submitting a new TOEFL or IELTS test with the requisite score for BFA consideration. 

Students that are not able to test out of the English and the Visual Arts Program are required to successfully complete the three-semester program before advancing to the BFA Program.

In order to maintain status in the EVA Program from semester to semester, students must individually pass each class and earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in studio courses and a 2.5 in other coursework. Students who do not pass each course and meet the minimum GPA requirements will not be able to advance to the next semester and may be dismissed from the program.