How to Apply - Graduate

The Master of Architecture program accepts students each year for the fall semester only. For admissions consideration to the program, you should complete the steps below:

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD*

*If your undergraduate degree is from Ferris State University, a transcript is not required to submit your application. If you are unable to request your official transcripts in a timely manner, we encourage you to self-submit your unofficial transcripts.

For all institutions of higher education you've previously attended, have the institution send your official transcripts directly to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002

3. Submit your supplemental materials:

Submit the supplemental materials detailed below via our SlideRoom submission portal. Please note that a $6.00 submission fee will be charged. 

• Résumé
• Statement of Purpose - 500-700 word statement that answers these three (3) questions: 
  • What is your interest in architecture?
  • Why are you applying to this program?
  • What unique qualities or perspective do you bring?
• Three (3) letters of recommendation - letters must be sent directly from the reference to KCAD through Slideroom
• Portfolio
  • Portfolio must be a single PDF document, not to exceed 30 pages and 20MB 
  • PDF document must be titled in the following manner: last name, first name, portfolio, _2yr OR _3yr, depending on your desired placement in the program (for an applicant to the 2-year track, the portfolio document would be titled smith_carolyn_portfolio_2yr.pdf). 
  • Your portfolio will not be reviewed if you upload individual images.
  • Links to online portfolios and/or hard copy materials will not be accepted
  • All portfolios must have a cover page as the first page with the following information: 
    • first and last name
    • street address
    • city, state, postal code, country,
    • email address
    • telephone number
      
      

4. Complete your Admissions interview

An interview with KCAD is required as part of the admission decision process. Upon receipt of your completed application, we will contact you to schedule. 

Questions? Email [email protected].

Students on the articulated degree pathway from the B.S.E. in Interdisciplinary Engineering program at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) should apply for provisional admission to the KCAD Master of Architecture program during their 4th semester of study at GVSU. 

For provisional admissions consideration to the Master of Architecture program, you should complete the steps below: 

1. Ensure that the following criteria is met: 

• Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher
• Completion of all GVSU course requirements stated in the first two years of the articulated degree pathway
  
  

2. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

3. Submit your supplemental materials

Submit the supplemental materials detailed below via our SlideRoom submission portal. Please note that a $5.00 submission fee will be charged. 

• GVSU/KCAD articulation agreement application
• Unofficial GVSU transcripts
  
  

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NOTE: Once provisional admission into the KCAD Master of Architecture program has been granted, students will then need to apply for full admission to the program during the 7th semester of the articulated degree pathway. Eligible students will receive regular communications from KCAD Admissions regarding how and when to apply for full admission.

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Questions? Email [email protected].

The successful candidate to the Master of Arts in Design program will have established themselves professionally prior to entering the program. Professional experience may include professional internships; work, military or non-profit experience; community service; or other career-related activities.

For admissions consideration to program, you should complete the following steps:

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD*

*If you are unable to request your official transcripts in a timely manner, we encourage you to self-submit your unofficial transcripts.

For all institutions of higher education you've previously attended, have the institution send your official transcripts directly to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002

NOTE: Transcript must show the completion of an undergraduate degree in design from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education, with a minimum GPA of 3.00. 

3. Submit your supplemental materials

Submit the supplemental materials detailed below via our SlideRoom submission portal. Please note that a $5.00 submission fee will be charged. 

• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae showing successful professional experience.
• Writing Sample - a 1,000 – 1,200 word sample that demonstrates effective idea development and written communication.
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
  
  

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY? A faculty committee convened from the faculty teaching graduate courses acts upon applications for admission.

Questions? Email [email protected].

For admissions consideration to the Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate program, applicants should complete the following:

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD*

*If you are unable to request your official transcripts in a timely manner, we encourage you to self-submit your unofficial transcripts.

For all institutions of higher education you've previously attended, have the institution send your official transcripts directly to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002

Questions? Email [email protected].

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD*

*If you are unable to request your official transcripts in a timely manner, we encourage you to self-submit your unofficial transcripts.

For all institutions of higher education you've previously attended, have the institution send your official transcripts directly to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002

Questions? Email [email protected].

The Master of Architecture program accepts students each year for the fall semester only. For admissions consideration to the program, you should complete the steps below:

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Pay the application fee

A non-refundable application processing fee of $30 USD (non-refundable) is required for KCAD to review your application and issue form I-20 if your application is accepted. The fee can be paid in one of the following ways: 

1. Using our online International Applicant Processing Fee payment portal
2. By check made payable to Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. (Checks drawn on foreign banks must carry the notation: “Payable in United States funds plus service charges.”)
   
   

3. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD

• Ask your college or university to send your OFFICIAL transcripts (a list of the courses you have taken and the grades you received) to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002
United States

• Transcripts must be both in the original language and in English
• Translation of transcripts should be conducted by a certified translation service
  
  

4. Submit your supplemental materials:

Submit the supplemental materials detailed below via our SlideRoom submission portal. Please note that a $6.00 submission fee will be charged. 

• Résumé
• Statement of Purpose - 500-700 word statement that answers these three (3) questions: 
  • What is your interest in architecture?
  • Why are you applying to this program?
  • What unique qualities or perspective do you bring?
• Three (3) letters of recommendation - letters must be sent directly from the reference to KCAD through Slideroom
• Portfolio
  • Portfolio must be a single PDF document, not to exceed 30 pages and 20MB 
  • PDF document must be titled in the following manner: last name, first name, portfolio, _2yr OR _3yr, depending on your desired placement in the program (for an applicant to the 2-year track, the portfolio document would be titled smith_carolyn_portfolio_2yr.pdf). 
  • Your portfolio will not be reviewed if you upload individual images.
  • Links to online portfolios and/or hard copy materials will not be accepted
  • All portfolios must have a cover page as the first page with the following information: 
    • first and last name
    • street address
    • city, state, postal code, country,
    • email address
    • telephone number
      
      

5. Submit proof of adequate financial resources

The three choices for demonstrating proof of financial ability to study in the United States are detailed below.

• All documents must be clear and in typed or printed format (not handwritten).
• Bank stationery must be identifiable and include the bank's address, phone number, and fax number.
  
  

8. Complete your Admissions interview

An interview with KCAD is required as part of the admission decision process. Upon receipt of your completed application, we will contact you to schedule. 

9. Steps After Acceptance

After your application has been accepted, you will need to address the following: 

A. Apply for and obtain a visa*

Once you've been accepted to KCAD, the Ferris State University Office of International Education will contact you to clarify the steps you need to take to apply for and obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa. 

*Citizens of Canada and Canadian nationals are exempt from the usual requirement to have a visa to enter the United States. These applicants are only required to provide a valid passport and a Certificate of Eligibility (either form I-20 or form DS-2019—provided by Ferris State University upon acceptance to KCAD). 

LEARN MORE ABOUT VISA REQUIREMENTS

CONTACT THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

B. Obtain health insurance coverage

All KCAD international students who are in the US are required to carry health insurance during terms they are enrolled and present in the US. 

Learn more about obtaining coverage

Questions? Email [email protected].

NOTICE TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

The Master of Arts in Design program at KCAD is fully online, which means that international students will NOT receive an I-20 student visa as a condition of their enrollment in the program. International students must complete the online program in their country of citizenship.

The successful candidate to the Master of Arts in Design program will have established themselves professionally prior to entering the program. Professional experience may include professional internships; work, military or non-profit experience; community service; or other career-related activities.

For admissions consideration to program, you should complete the following steps:

1. Complete the online application*

Apply online through our application portal. You'll need to create a login and password.

*NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser to complete your application. You may experience technical difficulties when using Safari.

2. Pay the application fee

A non-refundable application processing fee of $30 USD (non-refundable) is required for KCAD to review your application and issue form I-20 if your application is accepted. The fee can be paid in one of the following ways: 

1. Using our online International Applicant Processing Fee payment portal
2. By check made payable to Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. (Checks drawn on foreign banks must carry the notation: “Payable in United States funds plus service charges.”)
   
   

3. Have your official transcripts sent to KCAD

• Ask your college or university to send your OFFICIAL transcripts (a list of the courses you have taken and the grades you received) to KCAD at the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Kendall College of Art and Design
17 Fountain Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002
United States

• Transcripts must be both in the original language and in English
• Translation of transcripts should be conducted by a certified translation service
  
  

4. Submit your supplemental materials:

Submit the supplemental materials detailed below via our SlideRoom submission portal. Please note that a $5.00 submission fee will be charged. 

• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae showing successful professional experience.
• Writing Sample - a 1,000 – 1,200 word sample that demonstrates effective idea development and written communication.
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
  
  

5. Submit proof of adequate financial resources

The three choices for demonstrating proof of financial ability to study in the United States are detailed below.

• All documents must be clear and in typed or printed format (not handwritten).
• Bank stationery must be identifiable and include the bank's address, phone number, and fax number.