Graduate Admissions

If you are getting ready to apply for admission to a graduate program at Harrington, the information on this page can help you figure out where to start depending on your background.

Application Process

The following items must be completed at the time of application:

  • Application for Admission
  • Signed Enrollment Agreement
  • Signed Student Disclosure
  • Payment of non-refundable application fee

Entrance Requirements for Master of Arts in Interior Design (MAID)

Graduate students who successfully meet and submit the following requirements may be admitted to the Master of Arts in Interior Design Program:

  • Graduates of a nationally or regionally accredited college or university are required to have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with less than a 3.0 CGPA may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores to improve their application. In addition, any other information that may support the applicants’ chances for acceptance should also be included. Please do not include original materials, such as original art or photography, as they will not be returned.
  • Current copy of applicant’s professional resume, including extra-curricular activities.
  • Letter of Intent stating the candidate’s academic intentions (300 – 500 words in length and typed), and explanations of past academic performance and/or extra-curricular activities may also be included.
  • Three letters of reference from professionals (practitioners or educators) with first-hand knowledge of candidate’s past performance and potential for future academic endeavors and professional practice. Letters must be on a letterhead, signed and sealed with the writer's signature over the envelope. Letter must refer to the prospect student by name and include contact information such as name and phone number or e-mail address of person referring the applicant.
  • Completion of a personal interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee. All required Admissions documentations must be on file prior to the interview being scheduled.
  • Graduate students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the minimum scores are: 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the iBT. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Students may also demonstrate proficiency by presenting an official transcript of satisfactory English work taken at an accredited U.S. institution, or a college in another country where English is the medium of instruction. The Graduate Interview and Graduate Thesis Committee reserve the right to require further ESL coursework for any student whose essay or interview reveals English language deficiencies.
  • Current Harrington Interior Design students with a previous bachelor’s degree in another field may substitute some of their completed undergraduate course requirements from Harrington into the Master of Arts in Interior Design program provided they have not completed their degree in Interior Design and have maintained a 3.0 CGPA.

Entrance Requirements for Master of Interior Design (MID)

Graduate students who successfully meet and submit the following requirements may be admitted to the Master of Interior Design Program:

  • Graduates of a nationally or regionally accredited college or university are required to have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with less than a 3.0 CGPA may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores to improve their application. In addition, any other information that may support the applicants’ chances for acceptance should also be included. Please do not include original materials, such as original art or photography, as they will not be returned.
  • Current copy of applicant’s professional resume, including extra-curricular activities.
  • Successful portfolio submission and review demonstrating the applicant’s preparation for graduate studio work. Additional qualifying undergraduate or graduate courses may be required in the case of deficiencies in the portfolio, or the student may be directed to complete the entire MAID first two semester sequence before beginning the MID.
  • Letter of Design Philosophy outlining the candidate’s design philosophy and describing the role and responsibilities of the designer in the global community (300–500 words in length). Explanations of past academic performance and/or extra-curricular activities may also be included.
  • Format for portfolio submission: Portfolio materials should be bound or collected in a booklet or holder. Materials should not exceed 11” x 17” in size. Quality reproductions are acceptable. Slide transparencies, web sites, CDs or portable drives are not acceptable for the interview. Please do not include original materials, such as original art or photography, as they will not be returned.
  • Three letters of reference from professionals (practitioners or educators) with first-hand knowledge of candidate’s past performance and potential for future academic endeavors and professional practice. Letters must be on a letterhead, signed and sealed with the writer's signature over envelope flap. Letter must refer to the prospect student by name and include contact information such as name and phone number or e-mail address of person referring the applicant.
  • Successful completion of a personal interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee. All required Admissions documentations must be on file prior to the interview being scheduled.
  • Graduate students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the minimum scores are: 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the iBT. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Students may also demonstrate proficiency by presenting an official transcript of satisfactory English work taken at an accredited U.S. institution, or a college in another country where English is the medium of instruction. The Graduate Interview and Graduate Thesis Committee reserve the right to require further ESL coursework for any student whose essay or interview reveals English language deficiencies.

Entrance Requirements for Master of Arts in Communication Design (MA)

Graduate students who successfully meet the following requirements may be admitted to the Master of Arts in Communication Design Program:

  • Graduates of a nationally or regionally accredited college or university are required to have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with less than a 3.0 CGPA may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores to improve their application. In addition, any other information that may support the applicants’ chances for acceptance should also be included. Please do not include original materials, such as original art or photography, as they will not be returned.
  • Letter of Intent stating the candidate’s academic intentions (300 – 500 words in length). Explanations of past academic performance and/or extra-curricular activities may also be included.
  • Current resume including professional experience, educational history and extra-curricular activities.
  • Three letters of reference from professionals (practitioners or educators) with first-hand knowledge of candidate’s past performance and potential for future academic endeavors and professional practice. Must be on letterhead, signed and sealed with the writer's signature over envelope flap. Letter must refer to the prospective student by name and include the name and phone number or e-mail address of reference.
  • Successful completion of a personal interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee.All required Admissions documentations must be on file prior to the interview being scheduled.
  • Graduate students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the minimum scores are: 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the iBT. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Students may also demonstrate proficiency by presenting an official transcript of satisfactory English work taken at an accredited U.S. institution, or a college in another country where English is the medium of instruction. The Graduate Interview and Graduate Thesis Committee reserve the right to require further ESL coursework for any student whose essay or interview reveals English language deficiencies.
  • Current Harrington BFA students with a previous bachelor’s degree in another field may substitute some of their completed undergraduate course requirements from Harrington into the Master of Arts in Communication Design program, provided they have not completed the BFA in Graphic Design and have maintained a 3.0 CGPA. Students will be required to take MCD501 and MCD502.
  • A successful portfolio review and a CGPA of 3.0 after the Foundation Sequence (24 credits) is necessary to move forward into the shared masters coursework.

Entrance Requirements for Master of Fine Arts in Communication Design (MFA)

Graduate Students who successfully meet the following requirements may be admitted to the Master of Fine Arts in Communication Design Program:

  • Graduates of a nationally or regionally accredited college or university are required to have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with less than a 3.0 CGPA may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores to improve their application. In addition, any other information that may support the applicants’ chances for acceptance should also be included. Please do not include original materials, such as original art or photography, as they will not be returned.
  • Successful portfolio submission and review demonstrating the applicant’s preparation for graduate studio work. Additional qualifying undergraduate or graduate courses may be required in the case of deficiencies in the portfolio, or the student may be directed to complete the entire MACD first two semester sequence before beginning the MFA. (See Portfolio Requirements).
  • Current resume including professional experience, educational history and extra-curricular activities.
  • Letter of Design Philosophy outlining the candidate’s design philosophy and describing the role and responsibilities of the designer in the global community (300–500 words in length). Explanations of past academic performance and/or extra-curricular activities may also be included.
  • Three letters of reference from professionals (practitioners or educators) with first-hand knowledge of candidate’s past performance and potential for future academic endeavors and professional practice. Must be on letterhead, signed and sealed with signature over envelope flap. Letter must refer to the prospective student by name and include the name and phone number or e-mail address of reference.
  • Successful completion of a personal interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee. All required Admissions documentations must be on file prior to the interview being scheduled.
  • Graduate students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Proficiency may be demonstrated by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the minimum scores are: 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the iBT. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Students may also demonstrate proficiency by presenting an official transcript of satisfactory English work taken at an accredited U.S. institution, or a college in another country where English is the medium of instruction. The Graduate Interview and Graduate Thesis Committee reserve the right to require further ESL coursework for any student whose essay or interview reveals English language deficiencies.

Applicant Appeal Process – MAID and MID

If a MAID/MID applicant is denied acceptance and wishes to appeal, the applicant must submit a written request asking for an appeal of their denial into either of the programs. If the written appeal is accepted, a second interview will be scheduled. The interviewers will include at least one of the original interviewers, the Vice President of Academics or designee and the Department Chair. The applicant will receive a written response from the committee with their final decision.

If you have questions at any time, a Harrington Admissions Representative can provide assistance and help the process go smoothly, quickly and efficiently.