Admission deadlines: Fall – April 1 (February 1 for fellowship consideration)
Standardized test scores: The GRE general exam is not required.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
Minimum scores for the program are:
- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0; or
- TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based; or
- PTE Academic: 53
Please note that applicants admitted to the program who are required to take an English for Academic Purposes course (EAP) must be available to complete the EAP course in the summer preceding start of the MA program.
Recommendations required: Two (2) recommendations
Prior academic records: Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose: In an essay of no more than 750 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field at GW in particular, including your academic objectives and career plans.
Additional Requirements: An interview with the MA-EX Director of Graduate Studies is recommended.
A design portfolio is required. For applicants without backgrounds in art or design, portfolios may include photography, inspirational images, sketches, or any other media that visually represent the applicant.
1) Include images and brief descriptions of 2D and 3D work.
2) Provide a visual narrative that illustrates and describes an experience, a perspective, or a project relevant to the field of exhibition design.
International applicants only: Please follow this link - https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants - to review the International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College  of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

48 credits, including 33 credits in required courses and 15 credits in elective courses.

Required
CAH 6400History of Exhibitions
CEX 6010Exhibition Design Studio 1
CEX 6011Spatial Representation and Making I
CEX 6012Spatial Representation and Making II
CEX 6014Materials, Detailing, and Fabrication/Installation
CEX 6020Exhibition Design Studio 2
CEX 6030Exhibition Design Studio 3
CEX 6040Exhibition Design Studio 4
CEX 6100Lighting, Acoustics, and Design for the Senses
CEX 6220Exhibition Design Research
CEX 6230Art and Design Writing
Electives
15 credits (5 courses) taken as follows: *
One 3-credit open elective.
One 3-credit curatorial course including but not limited to the following:
CIXD 6011Narrative Media Design for Interaction
CMST 6301Museum Exhibition Curatorial Research and Planning
CMST 6304Exhibition Development and Scriptwriting
CMST 6703Museums and Community Engagement
CSA 6016Field and Research Methodologies for Artists
CSA 6097Topics in Public Strategies
One 3-credit tools/techniques course, which may be, but is not limited to, one of the following:
CIXD 6012Prototyping Interaction
CIXD 6111Creative Code
CIXD 6112Data Visualization and Sonification
CPJ 6050Advanced Multimedia Lab I
CPJ 6300Speed of Sound
CMST 6203Preventive Conservation Concepts
CMST 6204Preventive Conservation Techniques
CMST 6206Digitization and Digital Asset Management
CSA 6202Sculpture Digital Forms
CSA 6214Metals and Metalworking
CSA 6240Wear, Strut, Occupy
CSA 6241Installation Art
CSA 6601Special Topics: Time-Based and Electronic Media
CSA 6606Performative Media
CSA 6702Screenprinting
CSA 6901Special Topics in Cross-Disciplinary Studio Arts
CIAR 6150Sketching Architecture and Design
CIAR 6225Interior Materials and Color Theory
CIAR 6350Sustainability and the Built Environment
CIAR 6425Lighting and Acoustics
CIAR 6550Structures and Building Systems
One 3-credit arts/design business/management course, which may be, but is not limited to, one of the following:
CIXD 6021Design Leadership and Professional Practices
CMST 6101Museum Management
CMST 6102Museum Financial Management
CMST 6104Managing People and Projects
CMST 6105Museum Fundraising
CMST 6106Museum Marketing
One 3-credit history, theory, or criticism course, which may be, but is not limited to, one of the following:
CIXD 6020Topics in Human Centered Design
CMST 6107Museum Ethics and Values
CMST 6306Race, Gender, Sexuality, and the Museum
CMST 6403Museums and Technology
CMST 6404Museums and Social Media
CMST 6601Special Topics in Museum Studies
CSA 6015History and Theory of Art in the Public Realm
CSA 6091Contemporary Art and Theory for Artists I
Or any CAH course numbered 6000 or above.

*Students must meet with the advisor prior to elective selection.