Adverse Weather Update: Admissions Review on Saturday, January 26, 2013 will begin at 12 p.m. (noon). Applicants (except Architecture) should report to Kamphoefner Hall – Burns Auditorium upon arrival.
*Architecture applicants ONLY should report directly to SAS Hall, Room 2203 at noon. Students invited to the afternoon special event should now report at 3 p.m. to the College of Design in the *new location* in Brooks Hall (Room 320). This is not to be confused with the Admissions Review Day mentioned above.
The College of Design at NC State University has developed special admissions procedures to identify students best poised to earn a degree in any of the several design disciplines.
Quantitative measures such as high school grades, test scores, and class rank are important considerations. To complete the picture of a student's abilities, the College of Design relies heavily on examples of the student's creative work. Through the portfolio review, the Admissions Committees of Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Landscape Architecture get a sense of the student's creative talent and individual approach to problem-solving, allowing a more complete assessment of his/her potential as a design student. The review emphasizes the ideas presented, rather than the finished product.
There is no typical student applicant, but we have observed that some students moreso than others are able to show their independent thinking and initiative through drawing, painting, writing, or some other creative means. Portfolio pieces should represent the applicant's activities, interests, capabilities and creativity both inside and outside the classroom.
The College of Design provides tours for prospective students interested in our undergraduate programs on Mondays and Fridays during the fall and spring semester (except during student holidays and visitation days). Tours are an hour long beginning at 11:30 a.m. from the lobby of Brooks Hall.
If you'd like to visit the College during Open House, visit the Open House information page to find out more information and to register.
If you need to cancel your tour, please reply to your original registration confirmation email (design_undergrad@ncsu.edu) or call us at 919.515.8306.
View College of Design in a larger map
University visitors may park in any hourly Pay Lot (Coliseum Deck pay lot is recommended) OR obtain a visitor parking permit ($5/day).
Hourly Pay option: If you wish to use the Coliseum Parking Deck ($2/hour), a permit is not required, nor is a visit to the visitor booth. Enter Coliseum Deck pay lot from Cates Avenue just south of the deck on ground level.
Daily Permit option: Visitors may purchase a permit from the information booth on Stinson Drive. From the information booth, visitors will be directed to return to the traffic circle, take a right on Pullen Road, a right on Dunn Avenue, and a quick left on Jensen Drive to get to the visitor permit entrance of the Coliseum Parking deck (in yellow below). Visitor permits are not valid in pay lots (see below for more information).
Once departing the Coliseum Deck, pedestrians may then go through the Dunn Ave. tunnel (towards the "Field House") in order to get to the College of Design.*
*Due to current construction, please do not go through the tunnel. Instead, proceed east on Dunn Ave. towards Pullen Rd.; take a left onto Pullen Rd. and continue until you reach Brooks Hall on your left.
Parking permits are enforced from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday except on Official University Holidays. Please pay close attention to signs as some lots have extended enforcement hours.
Visiting the campus is one of the best ways for prospective students to get a complete picture of our college and the programs we offer. We invite potential graduate students to visit NC State University College of Design for the Graduate Student Open House on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in G20 Kamphoefner Hall.
During this afternoon event guest can expect to:
If you are interested in attending, please register here.
We hope you will join us on October 13th for an informative afternoon. This event is for graduate students only. Undergraduate students click here.
There will be an Open House for prospective undergraduates on October 13, 2012. This event will include tours of studios and the opportunity to speak with faculty and current students. This Open House is held in conjunction with the university's Open House. For more information, visit the NC State Open House website.
Please complete the form below. When done, click the "Submit" button at the bottom.
*Note: Master of Graphic Design, Master of Industrial Design and Master of Landscape Architecture degree programs only accept applications for Fall admission. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Adverse Weather Update: Admissions Review on Saturday, January 26, 2013 will begin at 12 p.m. (noon). Applicants (except Architecture) should report to Kamphoefner Hall – Burns Auditorium upon arrival.
*Architecture applicants ONLY should report directly to SAS Hall, Room 2203 at noon.
Students invited to the afternoon special event should now report at 3 p.m. to the College of Design in the *new location* in Brooks Hall (Room 320). This is not to be confused with the Admissions Review Day mentioned above.
Admissions Review Day is an opportunity for the most qualified candidates who have applied to studio-based majors for Fall Admission to be invited to the College of Design for either a mandatory interview with faculty members or an information session given by the department heads (varies by major). Presentations are given by representatives of the college and a student panel speaks about life as a student at the College of Design.
This part of the admission process is typically held on a Saturday in late January. Applicants will be notified in December if they have been selected and will receive detailed information at that time.
If you have any questions regarding Admissions Review Day, please contact Assistant Dean for Student Services and Academic Affairs Tameka Whitaker at tameka_whitaker@ncsu.edu.
Those interested in studying at the College of Design as undergraduates must apply to NC State University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications for undergraduate studio based majors must be received by Nov. 1. Studio-based majors include: Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, and Industrial Design. Applicants interested in studio-based major must indicate one of the above majors as their first choice on the application. The second choice major on the application CANNOT be another studio-based major in the College of Design.
Qualified students will be contacted for a departmental review on one of the College's Admissions Review Days.
The College of Design offers Design Studies, a non-studio based major that follows the rolling deadline of the university. Students who are admitted to this program do not participate in an Admissions Review Day or submit supplemental information such as the portfolio and College of Design Essay.
In addition to your application for admission to the University, the College of Design requires the online submission of an Essay Question Response plus 10 Preview Portfolio Images of your creative work. All materials are due November 1 and must be submitted on-line through your WolfPAW account.
Please note that your Essay Question Response plus 10 Preview Portfolio Images submission will determine admission decisions made by the College of Design. It is the applicant's obligation to include all requested materials in this online submission. Absence of any requested items in this portion of your application will automatically result in a decision to reject your application to the College of Design. The College of Design also reserves the right to deny applicants who submit fraudulent or plagiarized materials. All information submitted for review should be the product of the applicant only.
The faculty and administration at the College of Design would like to gain insight into what you currently know and think about design and its impact on the world around you. Please be mindful that you should answer the Essay Question below from the viewpoint of your chosen prospective major: Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design or Industrial Design (please title your submission accordingly).Your response should not exceed 4,000 characters (approximately 750 words). The Required Design Essay Question will be posted within the supplemental information section of the Undergraduate Admission Application.
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The College of Design requires a representative sampling of your creative work. Applicants must submit 10 portfolio images of current work with labels and descriptions following the guidelines below. Descriptions are additional commentary that gives reviewers further insight into your motivation, ideas, thought process and/or the issues addressed by your work. Individual labels and descriptions must not exceed the space provided.
Your portfolio images must be submitted through your WolfPAW account.
10 preview portfolio images of your creative work: digital photos, scans and/or computer-native files.
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Anni Albers Scholars must pass three separate sets of admission criteria. Students must be admitted to the College of Design, the College of Textiles, and the Anni Albers Scholars Program. Admissions procedures vary depending on whether a student is an incoming freshman, adding a major, or transferring.
Visit http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design-projects/anni-albers/ for guidelines, qualifying requirements and application form for applying to the Anni Albers Scholars Program
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Indicators that the candidate promotes diversity, evidence of design-related work, leadership potential, ability to work independently, involvement in community activities, and exceptional experiences.
Art + Design applicants should demonstrate the following qualities: high motivation in artifact-making, discipline and patience, ability to manage time, genuine and longstanding interest in some aspect of art and design, flexible thinking, ability to explain and critically evaluate work, broad view of the world through life experiences, ability to work within conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty, willingness to share ideas, ability to collaborate and craftsmanship.
The Graphic Design curriculum seeks applicants who are curious about the world and socially-aware; who are interested in the relationship between words and pictures and demonstrate the potential and desire to manipulate them; who are energized by technology and a variety of media; who are verbally articulate; and who think they would enjoy applying their creative and academic skills to communicating through visual form to the culture at large.
The curriculum seeks students who enjoy and are curious about: cultural artifacts; objects and products; mechanisms; materials and processes; inventions and innovations; technology; and marketing. These potential designers should be interested in changing their world. They should see technology as a way of improving life on many levels. They should be motivated to create objects that solve human needs and address human wants. The Industrial Design curriculum attracts and retains excellent students who become leading industrial designers.
Applicants currently attending NC State University in a degree program are considered On-Campus Transfers.
Students interested in applying to a studio-based major (Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design) must submit an electronic application and portfolio by November 1 for admission consideration. Supporting transcripts will be retrieved electronically in early January to verify academic requirements from fall semester coursework. No changes will be accepted once grades are verified.
To be considered for review, applicants must meet the following requirements:
For confirmed acceptance to the College of Design, transfer students must have completed a minimum of 30 hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. Final transcripts will be reviewed in early June.
Students interested in transferring into Design Studies (non-studio based), must meet the following requirements for admission consideration:
For questions regarding the On-Campus Transfer Application process, contact the Student and Academic Services Office at 919-515-8306 or stop by our office in Brooks Hall, 225.
Students currently enrolled in the Design Studies program who are interested in applying to a studio-based major (Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design). Applicants must submit an electronic application and portfolio by January 15 for admission consideration. Applicants must also meet the above mentioned requirements (listed under On-Campus Transfers: Studio-Based Degrees).
Applicants who have attended NC State previously and are not currently enrolled, but wish to transfer into the College of Design should consult the Registration and Records Office website (http.www. ncsu.edu/registrar) to obtain information on the Readmission Process.
Applicants who have completed one degree at NC State and wish to return to pursue a second degree in the College of Design should contact the Registration and Records Office to obtain information on the Readmission Process. Approved readmitted students should then complete the On-Campus Transfer Application (see above).
Applicants attending colleges or universities other than NC State must apply to NC State University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by November 1. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended reflecting grades earned through fall semester are required and must be received by January 6 to be considered for review. Applicants must have completed at least 15 semester hours by the end of fall semester and attained a minimum cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.7. Fifteen (15) additional hours must be completed by the end spring semester, making a total of 30 hours with a minimum overall average of 2.7 for acceptance to be confirmed.
A lateral transfer is a student who has completed at least 12 design credits in a comparable program at another four-year accredited institution. Lateral transfers are generally admitted at the sophomore level and are evaluated on a case by case basis. The applicant must apply to NC State Undergraduate Admissions Office by January 15 for fall entry, must identify themselves as such on the application, and must meet all qualifying requirements for transfer students.
Lateral transfers are admitted to the fall semester only on a "space-available" basis. An applicant is designated as a lateral transfer only at the request of the applicant and cannot be simultaneously be an applicant in the freshman admissions pool.
Students interested in determining course equivalencies of general education courses from previous study should consult the General Education Requirements of NC State University. Preliminary advising and portfolio evaluations are not offered to prospective lateral applicants.
This is a one-year professional degree program and not available for recent high school graduates nor for college transfers (please see the BEDA program requirements if you are applying from high school or transferring into architecture). Applications to this program from graduates of other comparable four-year pre-professional programs in architecture are welcome. Admission requirements include prerequisite courses which must be included in the applicant's undergraduate program. A transcript review will identify any prerequisite deficiencies. If accepted to the program, the applicant will be advised regarding how to comply with the prerequisite requirements. Applicants must submit the following:
Download the application form and send it to the School of Architecture with a non-refundable application fee of $55 made payable to NC State University.
Provide an official (sealed) transcript from each college and university previously attended. This requirement is waived for students currently enrolled in NC State's BEDA Program.
Provide references from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Download the recommendation form and send it to the School of Architecture.
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A portfolio — literally “carry the leaves or sheets” — is defined in the dictionary as a flat, portable case, usually of leather, for carrying loose sheets of paper, manuscripts, drawings, etc. In architecture, as in all the design professions, portfolios are regarded as the most effective way to communicate work to others. They typically are brochures containing a selection of architectural projects and other pertinent 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional work of artistic or technical interest, presented as reproductions in one of the standard paper formats. Students with an undergraduate degree in architecture applying to a graduate program and graduates looking for a first job or moving from one employer to another are expected to present portfolios to illustrate their abilities, their experiences, and their accomplishments.
A few specific suggestions for you to keep in mind as you assemble your portfolio:
Portfolios for applicants with previous architectural degrees are considered as demonstrations in ability to design architectural projects. Other pertinent 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional work of artistic, design, or technical interest may be included as supplementary to this desired purpose.
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Mail all items to:
Bachelor of Architecture Program
Department of Architecture
NC State University
College of Design
Box 7701, Brooks Hall
Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
The College of Design has approximately 250 graduate and post-graduate students, accounting for about 25 percent of the total student population. Graduate students pursue professional master’s degrees in five discipline areas: Architecture, Art + Design, Landscape Architecture, Graphic Design and Industrial Design. Most entering graduate students hold design-related undergraduate degrees, but many do not. These exceptions to the rule may be scientists, communication specialists, educators, engineers and others who are pursuing a new career.
The Ph.D. in Design program, which is among the very few of its kind in the United States, offers concentrations in Information Design, as well as Community and Environmental Design. The scholarly oriented program explores such topics as human-environment interfacing, behavioral studies, and urban issues. Graduates holding this degree will be valuable to college and university programs and to government, business and industrial organizations that require the intellectual rigor, knowledge, and investigative skills developed by doctoral study. Graduates conduct research aimed at improving the quality of design in urban and rural communities, improving people’s understanding and interpretation of their social and ecological environment, and improving visual communication and product development technology aimed at meeting human needs.
A unique relationship exists at the College of Design between designers and state extension agents. The Research, Extension and Sponsored Programs unit offers a vibrant training ground for scholarly and professional work. Here, faculty researchers assist communities across North Carolina and beyond. They are called upon for expertise in land use planning, watershed planning, environmental design, design of public spaces, universal design, computer modeling technology, and more. All projects utilize the energetic network of design faculty and students, an important resource to the state’s Cooperative Extension program.
Applicants submit the following:
Items 1-7 should be submitted online. The portfolio (item 8) should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit recommendations forms offline (paper), please mail to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, Campus Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
Graduate Record Examination/GRE scores are required for Track 3 applicants. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
International students must provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score in order to be accepted into the Graduate School. A minimum score of 213 is required for the computer based test and a minimum of 72 (with at least an 18 in each section) is required for the internet based test. International students should also review other information and requirements. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a permanent home of indefinite duration as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you wish to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must complete residentiary acts before you can begin the one-year (12-month) waiting period prior to applying for North Carolina residency. For full details, go to http://go.ncsu.edu/NCRes
Fill out the online personal data form and submit a resume or curriculum vita (two pages maximum).
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Portfolios should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
A portfolio – literally “carry the leaves or sheets” – is defined in the dictionary as a flat, portable case, usually of leather, for carrying loose sheets of paper, manuscripts, drawings, etc. In architecture, as in all the design professions, portfolios are regarded as the most effective way to communicate their work to others. They typically are brochures containing a selection of architectural projects and other pertinent 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional work of artistic or technical interest, presented as reproductions in one of the standard paper formats. Students with an undergraduate degree in architecture applying to a graduate program and graduates looking for a first job or moving from one employer to another are expected to present portfolios to illustrate their abilities, their experiences, and their accomplishments. Specific suggestions: A few specific suggestions for you to keep in mind as you assemble your portfolio.
Portfolios for applicants with previous architectural degrees are considered as demonstrations in ability to design architectural projects. Other pertinent 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional work of artistic, design, or technical interest may be included as supplementary to this desired purpose.
Portfolios for applicants to Track 3 have a somewhat different purpose. Because applicants come from a great variety of backgrounds, some have experience in architecture or a related field, while others have none. Our Admissions Committee will look upon your portfolio not so much as a track record, but primarily as an indicator of your promise in the field of architecture. Your portfolio should present some proof to us that your professed interest in architecture, and in becoming an architect, is based on more than the tentative contemplation of a vague possibility. It should show that you have tested the strength of your interests by acting upon them and that these actions have left some traces in the form of products you can present. We are therefore interested in seeing evidence of your curiosities and interests, your perceptual sensibilities and your skills, your initiative, your creativity, and your judgment as you experience, record, represent, analyze, criticize, and -- most important of all -- transform the environment around you, architecturally or otherwise. Design is making, and it is important for you to demonstrate that you can actively make things, not just passively observe them.
The Graduate Admissions Committee feels it is important to allow a fair degree of latitude regarding the format and content of your portfolio. The included items, as well as the manner in which they are presented, are the first important clues to your sensibilities and overall promise in the field. In other words, the committee tends to look at your portfolio as a first "design assignment."
Track 3 applicants should keep in mind that architecture deals with three-dimensional entities. Whereas two-dimensional work (such as drawing, painting, 2-dimensional design and photography) is useful to illustrate compositional and graphic abilities, the Admissions Committee will look for some evidence to assess your promise in the conception and manipulation of 3-dimensional form, volume and space. Samples of elementary mechanical drawing or architectural drafting are not considered pertinent to show potential for architecture. Nor is it essential to include "architectural work" per-se. Examples of successful portfolios of past applicants to the Track 3 program are kept on file at the desk of the M.Arch. Admissions Secretary. Please feel free to stop by and take a look at them. You may also arrange an appointment through the secretary with a member of the Graduate Admissions Committee to discuss any questions you may have regarding admissions procedures or portfolios.
The department accepts students who have an undergraduate degree in either fibers or animation, comparable professional experience, as well as those with degrees in other disciplines who make a connection between their previous study and art and design. The portfolio and essay should reflect experience with the medium of the desired concentration.
Applicants to the Master of Art & Design program must specify concentration to be considered. Admission is based on review of the applicant’s portfolio, statement of intent, and academic record. A plan of study will be developed to account for previous academic and professional experiences. Applicants submit the following:
Items 1-7 should be submitted online. Items 8-9 should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit recommendations forms offline (paper), please mail to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, Campus Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
*The GRE is not required but is strongly recommended for applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0. THe institution code for NC State University is 5496.
In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School, all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways; however, some programs may require additional evidence of English proficiency:
Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a permanent home of indefinite duration as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you wish to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must complete residentiary acts before you can begin the one-year (12-month) waiting period prior to applying for North Carolina residency. For full details, go to http://go.ncsu.edu/NCRes
Please fill out the online personal data form.
The essay of intent should be a short narrative--no more than two typed pages--that outlines career goals and reasons for undertaking graduate education in Art and Design. It should address the specific reasons for applying to one of the concentrations offered: Fibers/Surface Design and Animation/Digital Imaging. The narrative should address past experience, accomplishments, future goals. The narrative should be supported by evidence in the portfolio.
The faculty recognize that each person applies to graduate school for very unique reasons, so we expect to see a sincere and individual account of the applicant's thinking.
Graduate education in the visual arts is highly competitive and rigorous. What is expected of graduate students is highly demanding, so we examine our applicants to insure that they are ready for the challenges and expectations they will face in study with us. We need a clear understanding of the applicant's expectations from the program to make sure there is a good fit.
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Portfolios should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
The portfolio submitted to the Department along with the application package is the most critical element in the review for admission. Its purpose is to reveal the creative potential, breadth of experience, and discipline sophistication of the applicant.Review of your past work in conjunction with information gleaned from your essay of intent, allows the Faculty admissions committee to discern your aptitude for art and design work and readiness for graduate level.The portfolio should be planned carefully to show your talents, interests, skills, and experience. It should specifically show preparedness or predisposition for success in your desired medium (fibers or animation). Include only your strongest work. Attend carefully to the portfolio format and quality of reproductions. Do not send out of focus, unclear images with confusing contexts. Do not include original artwork. Every effort will be made to handle the portfolios with care, but the department cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged work. Portfolios will be returned only if a self-addressed envelope or package with sufficient postage is included
20 slides or CD (MAC readable) of past work. Emphasize past fiber work, or other work that makes the link to your fibers sensibility or interests. Include any relevant work, but do not exceed the 20-image limit. Please include some detail shots of textile surfaces.Include a slide inventory with information about materials, dates of execution, and ideas explored.
Electronic portfolio of past work (CD should be MAC readable).
Concentrate your selection on past animation work, digital images, drawing, and painting in a proportion that fits your experience.A short write-up about each piece submitted should be included to identify dates of execution, your concepts, and materials (when appropriate). Time-based work should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to review.
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Admission to the Master of Graphic Design program is competitive and based on the applicant's portfolio of work, statement of intent and academic record. Applicants submit the following:
Items 1-7 should be submitted online. The portfolio (item 8) should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
For additional information on the Master of Graphic Design program, please visit the Master of Graphic Design website
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit offline recommendations (paper), please send to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, College of Design, Campus Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required only if the student has no previous degree in graphic design. The institution code for NC State University is 5496
International students must provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score in order to be accepted into the Graduate School. A minimum score of 213 is required for the computer based test and a minimum of 72 (with at least an 18 in each section) is required for the internet based test. International students should also review other information and requirements. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
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Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a permanent home of indefinite duration as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you wish to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must complete residentiary acts before you can begin the one-year (12-month) waiting period prior to applying for North Carolina residency. For full details, go to http://go.ncsu.edu/NCRes
Submit a completed online Personal Data Form.
Portfolios should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
The purpose of the portfolio is to show creative potential and breadth of experience. As such, it is one of the most important parts of the admissions review process. It should be carefully planned and assembled to reveal the applicant's talents, interests, skills and experience. Careful attention should be given to the portfolio format and quality of reproductions. It is recommended not to include original art work. Every effort will be taken to handle the portfolios with care, but the department cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged work. Portfolios will be returned only if a self-addressed envelope or package with sufficient postage is included.Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Applicants to the Master of Industrial Design program will be considered for admission on an individual basis. Plans of study will be developed to take into account previous academic and professional experiences. Applicants must submit the following:
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit offline recommendations (paper), please send to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, College of Design, Campus Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
Graduate Record Examination/GRE scores are required if NO previous design degree. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
International students must provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score in order to be accepted into the Graduate School. A minimum score of 213 is required for the computer based test and a minimum of 72 (with at least an 18 in each section) is required for the internet based test. International students should also review other information and requirements. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
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Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a permanent home of indefinite duration as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you wish to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must complete residentiary acts before you can begin the one-year (12-month) waiting period prior to applying for North Carolina residency. For full details, go to http://go.ncsu.edu/NCRes
Submit a completed online Personal Data Form.
Portfolios should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
The criteria considered in the portfolio review are as followsThe portfolio may include:
Portfolios for graduate applications cannot be larger than 8.5 by 11 and will not be accepted if these requirements are not followed.
First professional candidates should apply for summer entry which begins in May. Advanced studies candidates will begin in the fall.
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. The Department accepts students for summer and fall admissions only.
Applicants to the Master of Landscape Architecture program will be considered for admission on an individual basis. Plans of study will be developed to take into account previous academic and professional experiences. Applicants must submit the following:Items 1-7 should be submitted online. The portfolio (item 8) should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit offline recommendations (paper), please send to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, College of Design, Campus Box 7701, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701.
Graduate Record Examination/GRE scores are not required but are strongly recommended for applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
International students must provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score in order to be accepted into the Graduate School. A minimum score of 213 is required for the computer based test and a minimum of 72 (with at least an 18 in each section) is required for the internet based test. International students should also review other information and requirements. The institution code for NC State University is 5496.
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Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a permanent home of indefinite duration as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you wish to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must complete residentiary acts before you can begin the one-year (12-month) waiting period prior to applying for North Carolina residency. For full details, go to http://go.ncsu.edu/NCRes
Provide a completed online Personal Data Form for the Department of Landscape Architecture.
Portfolios should be mailed to Graduate Admissions, College of Design, NC State University, Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701
The portfolio should show the applicant's creative potential and breadth of experience through a collection of graphic, photographic, and written material. The preferred format for all photos is 8-1/2" by 11". Portfolios will be returned if an envelope with sufficient postage is included. The best qualified applicants will be accepted up to the number of spaces that are available for new students. Exceptions to the minimum 3.0 grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities and interests.
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. International applicants have earlier deadlines, contact the Graduate School for dates.
Mail Items 1, 2 and 4-6 to
Mail items 3 and 7-8 to
While interviews are not required, they are useful to many applicants. Candidates interested in visiting the College of Design should telephone or e-mail the PhD in Design Program: 919.515.8308 or phd_design@ncsu.edu
The decision to recommend admission of an applicant to the PhD in Design program is based on his/her exemplary academic performance, high GRE and TOEFL (international applicants only) scores, strong letters of reference and an impressive portfolio of previous research and practice efforts. Furthermore, the applicant’s scholarly goals must correspond to the mission of the program and the academic resources available, including a faculty member who is willing to act as the academic advisor and mentor of the student in his/her doctoral studies and research efforts.The NC State University Graduate School and the College’s Graduate Studies Office process the submitted application materials (see left and below) which are then evaluated by College of Design faculty with affinity appointments in the PhD in Design program. Taking into account faculty evaluations, the director of the PhD in Design program makes admissions recommendations to the NC State University Graduate School. The final decision to admit an applicant resides with the Graduate School, which sends formal letters of admission.
To apply online for admission and see contact information, deadlines, etc., about the PhD in Design program, visit the NC State University Graduate School web site. Note that paper applications are no longer accepted. Applicants submit the following:
For additional information on the Ph.D. in Design Program, please visit: Ph.D. in Design website
Apply online. The fee is $65 for U.S. applicants and $75 for international applicants. Checks for application must be made out to "North Carolina State University" in U.S. dollars for the amount specified.
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Applicants should upload an unofficial transcript for each institution attended into their online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted.
Provide recommendations from at least three people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study. Online recommendation forms are contained in the online application. If, however, you elect to submit recommendations offline (paper), please send to Graduate Admissions, NC State University, Campus Box 7701, Brooks Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7701. GRE Scores
Graduate Record Examination/GRE scores are required if NO previous design degree.
Foreign language students only must provide Test of English as a Foreign Language/TOEFL score of at least 550/213 in order to be accepted into the Graduate School. International students should review other information and requirements.
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Provide a residency statement if claiming North Carolina for tuition purposes.
Applicants must pay particular attention to the Statement of Interest section of the Personal Data Form. Here, applicants are asked to describe their research aspirations in general as well as the specific topics and areas of research that interest them. Applicants should recount past academic and professional experiences that have shaped their interest in pursuing doctoral studies in design, and what they expect to make of their education after attaining the PhD in Design degree. Applicants' essays written in response to this question help faculty determine the compatibility of applicants' academic preparation and objectives with program resources.
Applicants may access an online Personal Data Form.
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A portfolio – literally “carry the leaves or sheets” – is defined in the dictionary as a flat, portable case, usually of leather, for carrying loose sheets of paper, manuscripts, drawings, etc. In all the design professions, portfolios are regarded as the most effective way to communicate their work to others. They typically are brochures containing a selection of writings, projects and other pertinent 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional work of artistic or technical interest, presented as reproductions in one of the standard paper formats. Since capacity to conduct independent research is an important criterion used in reviewing applications to the PhD in Design program, sample papers, reports and articles which demonstrate this capacity should be central to the submitted portfolio.
Specific suggestions: A few specific suggestions for you to keep in mind as you assemble your portfolio.
NC State University offers general information for international students applying for admission to colleges at the university:
In addition, international students should examine this website for the standard departmental admissions requirements of the College of Design.
The College of Design offers a limited number of scholarships to incoming first year students based on merit and/or need as determined by the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. Additional requirements may apply and will be announced after acceptance to the college.
For more information about scholarship opportunities, please contact:
Tameka Whitaker, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, tameka_whitaker@ncsu.edu
New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming NC State students. Students arriving in the Fall semester typically go through New Student Orientation during the month of July. Accepted students that plan to attend NC State will be asked to visit the college to participate in various activities that will acclimate the incoming student to NC State and the College of Design.
During New Student Orientation, students will learn about NC State University, register for classes, stay overnight in a residence hall, meet with their college representatives, receive information about campus resources, and meet other students.
For learn more about New Student Orientations please visit the University's New Student Orientation website. There you will find out orientation dates and how to register.
Parents and family members also have an opportunity to enroll in Parent Orientation by visiting the Parents and Families Services website.
Applicants must first apply to NC State and, based on certain admissions criteria, may be referred to Design for admissions consideration. The College of Design will review the student's application and either deny admittance or recommend acceptance to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Official acceptance letters for rising first-year fall students will be sent in March from the Undergraduate Admissions Office and the College of Design simultaneously.
Design applicants have the option of applying to one of the following College of Design studio-based majors as a first-choice major: Environmental Design in Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, or Industrial Design. All of these studio-based majors require an electronic portfolio and essay. Or, applicants may choose to apply to the Design Studies curriculum, which is a new, non-studio-based major in the College of Design.
Applicants may choose a studio-based major as their first choice and Design Studies as a second choice. However, admission to Design Studies does not offer transfer advantages to students and will not be used as a back-door entry into studio-based majors. Design Studies students wishing to change majors compete with all other transfer applicants for spot.
To determine a second major, choose something you are passionate about studying in the event you are not admitted to Design. While a few denied applicants reapply and are admitted to Design after their freshman year, many others are not. Denied applicants may reapply multiple times, however we do not recommend considering transferring after the sophomore year due to the number of hours required for Design programs.
As admission to the college is very competitive, we recommend strongly that applicants research and investigate all of our programs thoroughly before applying. Apply to the program in which you are most interested and one in which you can be satisfied. Only a limited number of internal transfers are admitted annually to other Design majors at the end of the freshman year. Internal transfers are possible only if there are vacant seats, but internal and lateral transfers compete in the same applicant pool.
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The College of Design provides advisers only to enrolled Design students. If you are a freshman or off-campus transfer applicant, we suggest contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to speak to an admissions counselor. If you are an on-campus transfer applicant, please contact your current adviser for advice.
http://www.ncsu.edu/registrar/curricula/design
Applicants are notified by email beginning about a week before Christmas as to whether they will be invited to an Admissions Review, which are held the last Saturday in January for freshmen and the first Saturday in February for transfer applicants. Therefore, email addresses listed in the on-line application should be kept current at all times.
There is no limit to how many times you can apply for the College of Design. However, due to our highly competitive admissions process, we encourage applicants to apply to similar programs nationwide.
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November 1st
Although a portfolio is required for our five studio-based programs, a professional portfolio is not required. Many of our applicants have had art classes or participated in some type of art-for-fun experiences such as community art programs or Design Camp. The Admissions Committee is seeking creativity and problem-solving skills and will assess the applicant’s potential for study in design based on the work presented. The emphasis in the review is on the ideas presented, rather than on the finished product.
There is not a typical student applicant, but we have observed patterns of demonstrated ability which indicate design potential, i.e., a student who observes the world and describes it through drawing, painting or design, writes poetry or essays, or in some other way shows independent thinking and initiative. Work submitted for review should represent the applicant’s activities, interests, capabilities and creativity inside and outside the classroom. A word of caution: Work submitted should be that of the student and not professionally coached. It is not uncommon for a student to be asked in the interview to demonstrate skills if a portfolio is in doubt.
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To eliminate the perception of bias, faculty cannot review portfolios prior to Admission Reviews or interviews.
To learn more about computer requirements for Design students, please go to: College of Design Computer Requirements
There are numerous opportunities available for students to visit the College of Design, including our annual Open House during the Fall semester. For more information about the tours and the college's Open House, please visit the following website. Visiting the College
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For further questions regarding Undergraduate Admissions to the College of Design, please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services at 919-515-8306.
To apply for admission to the College of Design, please visit the NC State University Admissions website at http://admissions.ncsu.edu. You may also call 919-515-2434 or email undergrad_admissions@ncsu.edu for more information.