The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

 

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a world-renowned design school that integrates art and design disciplines. Established in 1877, it is located in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, USA, at the foot of College Hill, adjacent to the Ivy League Brown University campus.​

​

Related Program List​

​Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) offers programs in architectural design, interior design, and landscape architecture. These programs are housed within the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture departments.​

Commonly applied programs for students in the architecture-related fields include:​

  1. ​Master of Architecture (MArch) - Duration: 3 years
  2. Master of Architecture (MArch)​ - Duration: 2 years
  3. Master of Arts in Adaptive Reuse (MA)​ - Duration: 1 year
  4. Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies - Duration: 2 years
  5. ​Master of Design (MDes) for Exhibition and Narrative Environments - Duration: 2 years
  6. Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA I) - Duration: 3 years
  7. Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA II) - Duration: 2 years​

​

Admission Requirements​

​1. Admission Requirements for Each Program​

​Students who will have completed an undergraduate bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university by June 2018 are eligible to apply to the graduate program for admission beginning in the 2018–19 academic year.​

International students completing requirements for a diploma rather than a degree must submit a written statement prepared by an appropriate school official verifying that the status of the diploma is equivalent to a US baccalaureate degree.​

The following programs have additional eligibility requirements:​

 

M.ARCH 2Y​

At the discretion of the admission committee, applicants with a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture may be admitted to the Masters of Architecture advanced standing track. Successful advanced standing students typically complete degree requirements in two years.​

Requirements for advanced standing consideration:​

  • A four-year undergraduate degree in architecture at an accredited college or university​
  • At least two semesters of six-credit studios in architecture​
  • Demonstrated design proficiency (in the view of the admissions committee)​
  • Equivalent of two semesters of graduate level studio work
  • 24 credits (or equivalent) of architecture courses, including 18 credits of architectural technology (including structures and environmental control systems), architectural history and construction of architectural drawing
  • Six credits of undergraduate coursework for a total of 42 required credits​
  • A minimum grade of C for any course counted towards advanced standing​

MLA 2Y​

The Master's of Landscape Architecture II is a two-year program for students entering with accredited pre-professional degrees in Landscape Architecture (BLA).​

​

2. Language Requirements​

​GRE​

Results from the Graduate Record Examination are not required as part of the application process.​

TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo​

All applicants who speak English as a second language, including US citizens, must submit results from any one of these three options: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Duolingo (an online English test). Since proficiency in English is a prerequisite for acceptance, applicants must attain an acceptable score on their chosen test; RISD requires a minimum result of 93 on the TOEFL or a 6.5 on the IELTS.​

Duolingo is changing its scoring system beginning with tests completed on July 15, 2019 and beyond. If you took this test prior to the change, we require a minimum result of 63. Applicants who completed the Duolingo test on or after July 15, 2019 must achieve a minimum score of 115, which is the equivalent of 63 in their prior scoring system.​

Plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS well in advance of the application deadline since it may take three weeks for your scores to be sent to RISD by the test agency. Duolingo test results may take up to four days to be received by RISD.​

​​

Application Materials​

  1. ​Online Application Form
  2. Transcripts
  3. Portfolio
  4. Statement of Purpose
  5. Writing Sample
  6. Three Letters of Recommendation
  7. TOEFL/IELTS
  8. Resume (optional)
  9. Degree Certificate
  10. Graduation Certificate/Enrollment Proof ​

​

Common Questions About Application Materials:​

​1. Transcripts​

Initially, you must provide unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate study indicating satisfactory completion, or evidence of anticipated completion, of an undergraduate degree program from an accredited college or university. You can upload your unofficial transcripts within the RISD Applicant Portal. If your academic credentials are prepared in a language other than English, they must be translated into English by an approved translator before submitting. Enrolling students will later be required to submit official transcripts.​

2. Portfolio​

Graduate applicants to studio programs are required to submit 10–20 examples of visual work, with certain programs suggesting more specific ideas or portfolio requirements.​

3. Statement of Purpose​

Graduate applicants must submit a written statement (500–750 words) outlining their interest and goals in pursuing graduate study. Several programs suggest more specific ideas or written requirements as outlined below.​

4. Writing Sample​

Applicants to the MA programs in Global Arts and Cultures and Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies are required to submit an example of critical and/or analytical writing. See below for all program-specific instructions.​

​5. Detailed Application Requirements​

For more information, refer to the official RISD graduate admissions page:​
https://www.risd.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/

More Universities