The Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Visual Arts at Iowa State University is a distinctive and unique interdisciplinary program offering integrative study among a combination of the following areas: ceramics, computer applications, drawing, textiles, illustration, jewelry/metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, photography, furniture design and areas outside of Art & Design. The Integrated Visual Arts program offers an innovative curriculum aligned with emerging art and design markets.
The IVA program offers unique opportunities for collaboration with diverse students and faculty from around the world in art and design programs that represent a wide spectrum of professional activities. This dynamic interdisciplinary environment within the College of Design allows IVA graduate students to develop a personal visual language, refine media skills and work on projects addressing social and environmental concerns within a global context.
The Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Visual Arts at Iowa State University is a distinctive and unique interdisciplinary program offering integrative study among a combination of the following areas: ceramics, computer applications, drawing, textiles, illustration, jewelry/metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, photography, furniture design and areas outside of Art & Design. The IVA program offers an innovative curriculum aligned with emerging art and design markets.
Upon completion of the graduate program IVA graduates are expected to:
Have developed a fully realized creative direction which provides a platform for continued professional research and visual expression
Have produced a body of work which demonstrates a high level of creative investigation and accomplishment
Have acquired a professional level of technical proficiency in one or more media areas
Effectively communicate their ideas verbally and in writing.
Know the context, historical and current within which their creative pursuits exist.
Have developed a well-formed and informed personal creative philosophy and a studio skill set, which provides a foundation to teach studio courses at the university level.
Understand current ethical and social issues relevant to the visual arts.
Use relevant theory in pursuing creative university level scholarship.
An understanding of the structure and organization required for university level art instruction.
August 2025
College of Design
297 College of Design,
715 Bissell Road,
AMES,
Iowa,
50011, United States
Iowa State requires a bachelor鈥檚 or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university prior to beginning graduate studies.
International degrees must be comparable to a US bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher from a college or university regionally accredited/recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country.
A minimum cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B grade) is required for admission.
The minimum scores accepted by the Graduate College are:
Internet Based TOEFL (iBT): 79
TOEFL Paper (PBT): 550
IELTS: 6.5
Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53
Duo Lingo English Test: 105
Application Deadlines: Please submit your application and supporting materials by January 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
