Admissions: Graduate Art Education

Learn more about the Online M.A. in Art Education.

Step 1: Apply to the University of Florida

STEP 1 DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

All applicants must complete the University of Florida’s online graduate application.

The application includes the following five components:

1. Statement of Purpose
   Share your objectives for pursuing a graduate degree in art education, your area of specialization, interest in studying with UF faculty and your long-term professional goals.
2. Letters of Recommendation
   Three (3) letters are required from faculty or professionals who can speak to your potential for graduate-level success. These are submitted electronically through the application system.
   • Be prepared with your recommenders’ email addresses.
   • Allow sufficient time for your recommenders to receive and respond to UF’s request.
   • Detailed instructions are provided during the application process.
3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   Florida Statute requires that all graduate applicants include information about:
   • All post-high school education and employment
   • Ongoing international affiliations and research funding
     Be sure this information is included in your résumé or CV.
4. GPA Calculation
   You’ll be prompted to enter your upper-division GPA using UF’s GPA calculator.
   • Enter grades exactly as they appear on your transcript.
   • Follow the instructions carefully.
5. Unofficial Transcripts
   Upload unofficial, scanned copies of your transcripts (no screenshots of grades).
   • Official transcripts are required only if you are admitted.

You can return to your graduate application portal to check the status of your recommendation letters, transcripts, and test scores (if applicable).

Application Fee: $30 (non-refundable)
The Office of Admissions does not offer application fee waivers.

Step 2: Submit a Digital Portfolio

STEP 2 DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

Art Education applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio via UF’s SlideRoom portal. Your portfolio must include:

• 10 professional-quality images of your most recent work (.jpg format)
• Resume or CV highlighting academic and professional experience, awards, and achievements
  This is used to determine eligibility for assistantship assignments.
• One sample of academic writing (e.g., research paper, article, curriculum plan)

If you do not have a traditional academic writing sample:

You may submit two shorter writing samples—one from Category A and one from Category B:

Category A (choose one):

• A one-page artist statement, or
• A one-page teaching philosophy statement

Category B (choose one):

• A persuasive response to the following prompt:
  Given current fiscal constraints facing public schools, art education programs often face cutbacks or elimination. Provide a convincing argument for including art education in the general school curriculum—even in times of tight budgets, or
• A reflective essay:
  Describe your personal history with art education and how past art experiences and teachers have shaped your beliefs and goals as an art educator.

Portfolio Submission Details

• Submission fee: $10 (paid online through SlideRoom after you finalize your portfolio)
• Media labeling: Images and videos can be labeled and ordered after upload
  Include: title, medium, size, and date. You may also provide a URL to your website.

Maximum file sizes:

• Images (.jpg, .png, .gif): 2 MB each
  Recommended size: no larger than 1280 x 1280 px @ 72 dpi
• Video (.mov, .wmv, .flv): 20 MB max
• PDF documents: 10 MB max

For technical assistance, contact: support@slideroom.com

Refer to SlideRoom for detailed instructions on uploading and organizing your materials.

STEP 3: Request Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are not required for the initial application review, but are required for applicants who receive an offer of admission.

• If you attended the University of Florida as your postsecondary institution, you do not need to order a transcript from the UF Office of the University Registrar.
• Transcripts must be sent from each postsecondary institution you attended.

Mailing Address for Paper Transcripts

University of Florida Office of Admissions
S201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 11400
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

Electronic Transcripts

UF accepts official electronic transcripts through the following services:

• FASTER
• Parchment
• National Student Clearinghouse
• ScribbleSoft
• e-Scrip Safe
• Credential Solutions
• SCOIR
• Transcripts Plus

Use the following email address for these services: te@admissions.ufl.edu

Note: All documents submitted become the property of the University of Florida and will not be returned

Transcripts & Degree Documents

A credential evaluation is optional for college coursework outside of the U.S.

Upload unofficial transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas from every institution listed in your application’s educational history.

Documents may be uploaded directly to the application or via your Check Status page.

Submit scanned copies of the official paper versions issued by your previous or current institutions.

Screenshots of grades will not be accepted.

If your transcripts or degree documents are not issued in English, include a certified, literal, line-for-line English translation. Acceptable translations must be issued by your institution or a professional translation service.

English Proficiency

The University of Florida requires proficiency in spoken and written English to ensure international students can participate fully in academic and campus life. Students from non-English-speaking countries who have not completed at least one year of study at a U.S. college or university must submit scores from one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: minimum score of 6.0
• TOEFL Paper-Based: minimum score of 550
• TOEFL Internet-Based: minimum score of 80

For students seeking teaching assistantships:

• A Speaking score of 28 or higher demonstrates readiness.
• Applicants with Speaking scores between 23–27 may need to complete an additional course before receiving a teaching assignment.
• A minimum Writing score of 24 is recommended for graduate-level coursework.

UF’s TOEFL school code is 5812.

English Proficiency Exemptions

You may be exempt from submitting English proficiency scores if:

• You have completed one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or in a country where English is the official language.
• You hold an earned associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in the U.S. or a country where English is the official language.

See the list of countries exempt from English proficiency requirements.

English Language Support

UF’s English Language Institute (ELI) offers academic and language support to graduate students, including:

• SPEAK & EAP 5836 courses for Academic Writing and International Teaching Assistant Support (as required by the Graduate School or your department).
• Intensive non-degree programs to improve speaking, reading, and writing in English, while also building familiarity with American academic and professional culture.

The ELI also provides housing support, academic advising, and additional resources.

Additional Resources

• Overview of the I-20 Process
• UF Admissions Information for International Students
• UF International Student Services

Graduate assistantships are salaried positions requiring 10–20 hours per week and include responsibilities such as:

• Teaching support
• Technical/studio/lab assistance
• Gallery or office administration
• Research assistance

Assistantships make up the majority of the School’s financial aid and are awarded during the admissions review—no separate application is required.

Fellowships are available for top MFA and Ph.D. applicants and include an additional ~$2,000 award for a limited number of years.

Stipends (2025–2026)

• Art Education / Museum Studies
  10 hrs/week (.25 FTE)
  → $10,300 total (~$528.21 bi-weekly, mid-Aug to mid-May)
• Master’s: Art History
  16 hrs/week (.40 FTE)
  → $16,480 total (~$845.13 bi-weekly, mid-Aug to mid-May)
• All MFA / Ph.D. Programs
  20 hrs/week (.50 FTE)
  → $20,600 total (~$1,056.41 bi-weekly, mid-Aug to mid-May)
• Graduate School Opportunity Award
  20 hrs/week (.50 FTE) for top MFA/Ph.D. candidates
  → $30,000 total (~$1,149.43 bi-weekly, 12-month appointment)

Assistantships are typically renewed annually based on faculty evaluations and satisfactory academic progress.

Additional Benefits

Tuition Waiver

Covers required full-time enrollment:

• 9 credits (Fall/Spring)
• 3 credits (Summer A/B) or 6 credits (Summer C)

Estimated Value per Semester:

• ~$10,250 for non-Florida residents and international students
• ~$4,000 for Florida residents

Health Insurance

GatorGradCare health insurance is available with subsidized premiums:

• Employee only: $17.65/month
• Employee + spouse: $162.85/month
• Employee + children: $146.25/month
• Employee + full family: $224.53/month

Leave Benefits

Graduate assistants receive paid personal and family leave, and retain health insurance coverage during approved research leave. More information is available via UF HR Benefits.

University and Course Fees

• Not covered by tuition waiver:
  • Registration fees (~$850–$950/semester)
  • Course fees ($45–$75 per graduate course)
• Fee payment:
  Fees are deferred until mid-semester to allow time for budgeting. All fees must be paid by the deferment deadline to avoid:
  • A $100 late payment fee
  • Possible cancellation of registration