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Massachusetts College of Art and Design

621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Website: Massachusetts College of Art and Design

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Massachusetts College of Art and Design School Description

Born of a pioneering spirit, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the nation’s first independent public college of art and design—and the first art school to grant a degree. True to its history, MassArt continues to envision all that is possible and strives to reach it. Our history sets the direction for our future.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, independent college of art and design. The college's professional baccalaureate and graduate programs prepare students to participate in the creative economy as fine artists, designers, and art educators, and to engage in the well being of their society. As a national leader in visual art and design education, the college influences contemporary culture through the accomplishments of its alumni and the creative activities of its faculty and staff.

Dedicated to its public mission and located at the heart of a district rich in cultural and educational resources, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a force for change in its community.

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Massachusetts College of Art and Design

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (also known as MassArt) is a publicly-funded college of visual and applied art, founded in 1873. It is one of the oldest art schools, the only publicly-funded free-standing art school in the United States, and was the first art college in the United States to grant a degree. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. MassArt is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), a consortium of 36 leading art schools in the United States.

Among the nation’s independent schools of art and design, MassArt is the third most selective in undergraduate admissions and second most selective in graduate admissions, ranking among the ten most competitive colleges in Massachusetts, both public and private. In 2006 was named one of the Top Global Design Schools by BusinessWeek magazine.

MassArt offers a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, a Master of Science in Art Education, a Master of Fine Arts, and in 2007 received Candidacy Status for a Master of Architecture. It also offers a number of pre-college (both credit and non-credit) programs for high school students. Students at MassArt have the option of majoring in Fine Arts, 2D, Fine Arts, 3D, Communication Design, Environmental Design, Media and Performing Arts, and Art Education. Within those majors they can choose to focus on disciplines such as Industrial Design, Art History, Fashion Design, Architectural Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics, Glass, Sculpture, Fibers, Metals, Photography, Film/Video, and in the Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM). MassArt's curriculum includes a foundation year, which provides compulsory exposure to the basics of 2D and 3D art and design, and requires an elective studio and multiple Critical Studies courses.

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Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Northeast
Setting:
Large City Setting
Type:
Public
Size:
Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
1,998
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
99%
Athletic Programs:
Unavailable
More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 21,900
Students Receiving Aid:
75%
More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 65
Selectivity:
Highly Selective
More Admissions

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Bachelor’s Degree Programs

  • Arts & Humanities

    See more Arts & Humanities Schools or Online Arts & Humanities School Degree Programs
    • Architecture See more Architecture Schools or Online Architecture School Degree Programs
      • Environmental Design/Architecture

        A program that prepares individuals to design public and private spaces, indoor and outdoor, for leisure, recreational, commercial, and living purposes, and for professional practice as environmental designers and architects. Includes instruction in the design and planning of public and private open spaces and their relationship to buildings and other aspects of the built environment; facilities management; related aspects of interior design and architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning; and professional responsibilities and standards. See more Environmental Design/Architecture Schools or Online Environmental Design/Architecture School Degree Programs

    • Visual Arts See more Visual Arts Schools or Online Visual Arts School Degree Programs
      • Art History, Criticism and Conservation

        Students of Art History study of the historical development of art as a social and intellectual phenomenon. Art History programs include the analysis of works of art, and art conservation, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes. See more Art History, Criticism and Conservation Schools or Online Art History, Criticism and Conservation School Degree Programs

      • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics

        Students of Ceramics learn to creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions through ceramic artwork. Students learn handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development. See more Ceramic Arts and Ceramics Schools

      • Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry

        A program that focuses on the aesthetics, techniques, and creative processes for designing and fashioning objects in one or more of the handcraft or folk art traditions, and that prepares individuals to create in any of these media. See more Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry Schools

      • Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts

        A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development. See more Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts Schools

      • Film/Video and Photographic Arts

        See more Film/Video and Photographic Arts Schools

      • Industrial Design

        A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters. See more Industrial Design Schools or Online Industrial Design School Degree Programs

      • Metal and Jewelry Arts

        A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning art works from gems, other stones, and precious metals. Includes instruction in gemology; metalsmithing and finishing; stone cutting and polishing; metal and non-metal casting and molding; electroforming; metal coloring; enameling; photo etching; lapidary technique and art; design concepts; and personal style development. See more Metal and Jewelry Arts Schools or Online Metal and Jewelry Arts School Degree Programs

      • Painting

        A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing; surface preparation; composition; oil and acrylic media; watercolor media; painting techniques; and personal style development. See more Painting Schools or Online Painting School Degree Programs

      • Printmaking

        A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by rendering art concepts onto surfaces and transferring images, via ink or dyes, onto paper or fabric. Includes instruction in monochrome and color printing; tonality; chemistry; equipment set-up and maintenance; techniques such as serigraphy, lithography, intaglio, woodcut, block, stencil, relief, etching, and composite; and personal style development. See more Printmaking Schools

      • Sculpture

        A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development. See more Sculpture Schools

  • Business

    See more Business Schools or Online Business School Degree Programs
    • Fashion and Apparel See more Fashion and Apparel Schools or Online Fashion and Apparel School Degree Programs
      • Fashion/Apparel Design

        A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. Includes instruction in apparel design; accessory design; the design of men's', women's', and children's' wear; flat pattern design; computer-assisted design and manufacturing; concept planning; designing in specific materials; labor and cost analysis; history of fashion; fabric art and printing; and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry. See more Fashion/Apparel Design Schools or Online Fashion/Apparel Design School Degree Programs

  • Communication & Media

    See more Communication & Media Schools or Online Communication & Media School Degree Programs
    • Design & Visual Communications

      A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media. See more Design & Visual Communications Schools or Online Design & Visual Communications School Degree Programs

    • Film/Video & Cinematography

      Learn to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. This major includes instruction in the theory of film; film technology and equipment operation; film production; film directing; film editing; cinematographic art; film audio; techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos; the , use of computer applications to record or enhance images, audio or effect and the planning and management of film/video operations. See more Film/Video & Cinematography Schools or Online Film/Video & Cinematography School Degree Programs

    • Graphic Design

      A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. Includes instruction in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, communication skills and commercial art business operations. See more Graphic Design Schools or Online Graphic Design School Degree Programs

    • Illustration

      A program that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to develop and execute interpretations of the concepts of authors and designers to specifications. Includes instruction in book illustration, fashion illustration, map illustration, rendering, exhibit preparation, textual layout, cartooning, and the use of various artistic techniques as requested by clients. See more Illustration Schools or Online Illustration School Degree Programs

    • Photography

      A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects. See more Photography Schools or Online Photography School Degree Programs

    • Graphics & Multimedia See more Graphics & Multimedia Schools or Online Graphics & Multimedia School Degree Programs

  • Education

    See more Education Schools or Online Education School Degree Programs

Master’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Master’s Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Learn more about Certificate Programs

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Students & Campus Life

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 99%
Part-Time 1%
Men vs. Women
Women 71%
Men 29%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 68%
Other 20%
Asian 5%
Hispanic 4%
African-American 3%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
In-State 64%
Out-of-State 36%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Massachusetts 64%
Connecticut 6%
New York 4%
New Hampshire 4%
Maine 4%
Percent of Students International: 2%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 22%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: No

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Expenses (Tuition & Fees)

Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) In-State Out-of-State  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 7,450 $ 21,900  
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
 $ 2,578 24%  
State and Local Grants:
 $ 2,476 22%  
Institutional Grants:
 $ 3,099 22%  
Student Loans:
 $ 2,814 61%  
Any Aid:
   75%  

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 56% (Highly Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 95%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 510, Math: 480
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 600, Math: 580

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 65.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Required
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Recommended
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Required
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Required

College Advice on Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Yahoo
Melanie
Melanie

Question: Is Massachusetts College of Art and Design a good school for Animation?

14 months ago
roseyroses14
rosey...

Best Answer

Check their website and look over their course offerings in Digital Art, but I would think a school dedicated to Art would have a great program in Animation.
James W
James W

Question: which is the best/worst Massachusetts state college?

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg Framingham State College, Framingham Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay Salem State College, Salem Westfield State College, Westfield Worcester State College, Worcester when i said " state college" i actually meant state COLLEGE not university...so sorry for the confusion
15 months ago
l18dreamon
l18dr...

Best Answer

Bridgewater, Westfield and Fitchburg State College are academically poor. Framingham and Salem have a lot of part time faculty from BU, Harvard and BC which gives them an 'ok'. Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston: Excellent by any measure. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams: don't know anyone who has gone or taught there. Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay: most underrated on your list. Small but worthy. Worcester State College: busy and growing. Mostly commuters. "OK".
Dani
Dani

Question: What are some good colleges/universities for a graphic design major?

I live in Boston, Masachusetts and I'm looking into studying Graphic Design and maybe even minoring in either Studio Art or Photography (Photo being my first choice for a minor). I have been an artist my entire life and have a pretty good portfolio going. I'm going to be a Senior and I have to start looking but I'm not sure. I'm nervous that I won't be able to find a good school for me. I want to stay relatively close, preferabley in the New England area. I'm not crazy about going hours away from my home. I was told to look at Salve Regina University, Roger Williams University, Lasell College, University of Massachusetts Darmouth, Suffolk University, RISD (which won't happen for me), Massachusetts College of Art, Lesley University, and new England Institute of Art. Are there any others? Advice? I do want to get the college experience so taking online courses isn't something I'm interested in. I just need some help and advice. I said RISD wouldn't work for me because I most likely wouldn't get in. My work isn't as outstanding as the stuff I've seen from there...my GPA is a 3.5 at the moment but my SAT scores aren't great. About a 1640 out of 2400. Yeah, not great. Plus, it's WAY too much money and I'm definitley not able to afford it.
20 months ago
RoaringMice
Roari...

Best Answer

There are some *fabulous* art programs up in your area. Some of the schools in your list would be on mine as well, and I'll suggest a few more that might work for you. Some of these, you mentioned, but I list them again to emphasize them to you: - Mass Art, naturally, must be on your list. Not only is it a very good art school, it's also public. So you'd be getting a very nice deal re: tuition rates, because you're in-state Mass. - RISD, because it's RISD and bears repeating. - School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - which is actually one of my favorite art schools. It feels very personal, and the set up re: majors is kind of unique. - Montserrat College of Art, although I don't remember if they offer your particular majors. - Chester College (NH) - UMass Amherst, if you have the academics - Boston University, if you have the academics - Lesley U, specifically the Art Institute of Boston (which is not part of the AI chain of schools, which I dislike - and of which the New England Institute of Art is a member.) - Maine College of Art, which is in Portland, ME, and that's a small, but very funky city Why do you think RISD won't work for you? If your grades are shaky, know that having a strong portfolio can balance that out when it comes to art programs. So if you like RISD, don't necessarily rule it out just yet. In fact, if your grades are at the okay but not amazing level, but your portfolio is strong, it's really worth it to apply to great art schools like Mass Art, where your portfolio will be a significant factor in your admissions. Have you been to a portfolio day yet? These are college fairs, for art schools. The one in Boston is in November, at the Art Institute of Boston: http://www.portfolioday.net/component/option,com_eventlist/Itemid,47/ It's a fair where reps of art schools go, and you can pick up info on their programs, as them questions, as well as show them your portfolio. It's cool, because it's not intimidating - they're simply looking at your portfolio in order to give you suggestions on things you can do to improve it re: admissions, not making any judgements. Well worth going to.

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Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston, MA 02115
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