Admissions Requirements
Gain Admission to Your Ideal Program
Students wishing to pursue study through the School of Media and Design must first gain admission to the University of the Incarnate Word. While most degree programs in SMD do not require additional conditions of admission, two programs have specific requirements that prospective students must fulfill.
Find more information for admission to the specific programs listed below.
Undergraduate
The Graphic Design (GDSN) program prepares students for a demanding and competitive profession. Because the program requires a specific set of skills, all students planning on entering must undergo and pass a portfolio review in order to be admitted to the Graphic Design major.
- Traditional undergraduate students’ portfolios will be reviewed at the end of the academic year (spring semester) of a student’s first year.
- Transfer students who wish to start in the major classes must submit a portfolio at the scheduled portfolio review time in the spring semester before they plan to attend.
A limited number of students are admitted to the program annually, and only those passing the portfolio review will be allowed to register for GDSN courses.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's
Students wishing to enter the Communication Arts accelerated bachelor's to master's (ABM) program must meet all university graduate admissions requirements, which can be found on UIW Admissions’ website. Qualifying undergraduate students who have met the necessary prerequisites as students in the Communication Arts undergraduate program may participate in an ABM program.
In addition to meeting the above criteria, graduate admissions conditions, applicants:
- May apply to the ABM program after completing 62 undergraduate credit hours.
- Submit a completed Graduate application, which can be obtained from the Admissions Office website.
- Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will automatically be considered eligible for admission to graduate school.
Graduate
Communication Arts graduate program applicants must meet all University graduate admissions requirements. This is accomplished when the applicant has:
- Received a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts or a related field with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Attained GRE minimum scores of 150 on Verbal and 150 on Quantitative.
- GRE requirement may be waived for stronger applicants that have baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Completed the GRE before nine semester hours are complete.
- Students interview with the Director of Graduate Studies in Communication Arts and may be asked to submit a personal statement and a writing sample.
Students who lack the appropriate undergraduate degree may be required to take undergraduate leveling classes at the recommendation of the graduate faculty. At the discretion of the graduate faculty, experience in the field may be substituted for undergraduate prerequisites. Under rare circumstances, students who do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for admission to the program.