How to Apply to Art and Design at Kean University: Graphic Design, Advertising, Industrial Design and Interior Design at the Michael Graves College Require Creative Work or Video, and the Studio Art BFA Asks for 10–15 Works with a Second Review After 30 Credits, with Portfolio Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Kean University is in Union, New Jersey. Undergraduate design is taught by the Robert Busch School of Design in the Michael Graves College, and fine art by the Department of Fine Arts in the College of Liberal Arts. Here is what you need to know, based on the university’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and majors

• Robert Busch School of Design:
  • Graphic Design BFA: concept to production for print and digital, including web, UX, mobile, social, motion graphics, VR, AR and immersive experiences, with internships and projects with public and nonprofit partners.
  • Advertising BFA: ad campaigns and brand storytelling, with courses in advertising design, branding, interactive design, mobile media, animation for storytelling, AR and 360 video; Kean calls it the first advertising BFA in New Jersey.
  • Industrial Design BID (Bachelor of Industrial Design): NASAD accredited and built to IDSA educational standards, from 2D/3D design, drawing and art and design history to CAD, 3D modelling and production methods; an internship or practicum is required.
  • Interior Design BFA: foundation (visual thinking, drawing, colour, space), design and application (human-centred design, building systems, materials, professional practice) and communication (technical drawing, digital tools, rendering, presentation), ending with a professional portfolio.
• School of Public Architecture: the same college offers a BA in Architectural Studies and an M.Arch, not covered here.
• Department of Fine Arts: a BA in Fine Arts (a liberal arts degree centred on studio courses), a BFA in Studio Art (a professional degree with options in painting/drawing, illustration, photography, printmaking, furniture/woodworking, ceramics and digital media), and a BA in Fine Arts Education leading to K-12 art teacher certification.
• Locations: the college page lists Union, N.J. and Wenzhou, China; the Advertising page mentions study at Kean’s campus in China or a junior spring semester in Rome.

2. Creative work for design programs

• Required for everyone: whether you apply through the Common App, the Kean application or as a current student changing major, the Michael Graves College requires original creative work; enrolment is limited and competitive. Both freshmen and transfers must meet this requirement.
• How to submit: after you apply, Kean emails instructions for uploading through the Kean application portal (Cougar App portal); Common App applicants receive an email to create an account. An essay or Q&A is also required, with prompts in the portal.
• Evaluation criteria: visual form, visualization (sketching, drawing or illustration), technical skill with traditional or digital media, conceptual and creative thinking, presentation (variety and organisation), and professionalism in written answers.
• Graphic Design (choose one): (1) a 60–120 second video explaining why you want to study graphic design at Kean, plus at least ten labelled works showing a range of media and design programs; or (2) a public portfolio website or Behance link. A social media link is optional.
• Advertising (choose one): (1) a 60–120 second video on why you want to study advertising at Kean, plus at least three of four prompts: a print ad for your favourite brand; a poster raising awareness of a social issue; a story told with technology in two minutes or less; one subject illustrated three ways. Or (2) a portfolio website or Behance link.
• Industrial Design: 10–12 original works, each uploaded separately (except details of one work or a sketchbook), showing creative thinking and basic design and drawing skill across media and subjects, each labelled.
• Interior Design:
  • A 60–120 second video on why you want to study interior design at Kean is mandatory; submissions without a video are not accepted, even if your website has one.
  • 10–12 works uploaded individually; a website link may be added but does not replace the uploads. All work must be your own and made no earlier than high school.
  • Describe each piece in the notes: materials, surface, date, why you made it (class and assignment if it was schoolwork) and whether you think it succeeded.
  • Acceptable: drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, fashion (sketches or garments), before-and-after photos of home projects, graphic design, product design, architectural and interior drawings, and work in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp or Rhino.
  • Not acceptable: digital photography, re-creations of existing characters (such as Disney, manga or anime), interior or architectural drawings made with apps not listed, and anything from a video game.
• Deadlines: the college admissions page lists dates only for the BA in Architectural Studies (15 January priority for freshmen, 1 May for transfers). Portfolio deadlines for the design programs are not published; ask the Robert Busch School of Design office (908-737-4740).

3. Portfolios for fine arts

• Studio Art BFA: freshmen and transfers submit 10–15 works including sketches, observational drawing and work in colour; 3D work, photographs, prints, digital work or mixed media may also be included. Upload through the Kean application portal; admission is competitive.
• Two reviews: students accepted at the portfolio review receive provisional BFA status and must keep a 3.0 GPA in Fine Arts and Art History courses; after at least 30 credits in those courses they must pass a second portfolio review to be fully admitted.
• Fine Arts Education BA: an academic writing sample (a formal paper for a course) and an art portfolio of 12–15 images, at least eight showing freehand drawing and painting; faculty may invite you to an interview.
• Fine Arts BA: the requirements page lists portfolio rules only for the Studio Art BFA and Art Education; it does not say whether the BA needs one. Ask the department.
• Deadlines: fine arts portfolio deadlines are not published.

4. University application (international freshmen)

• Deadline (no year stated): 30 April priority, then rolling; 1 May priority deposit date.
• How to apply: Kean’s application or the Common App; USD 75 non-refundable fee.
• Transcripts: a course-by-course evaluation with GPA from a NACES member.
• Testing: SAT/ACT optional. Two English recommendation letters and a one- to two-page personal statement are recommended.
• Decisions: usually two to four weeks after the file is complete; Kean issues the I-20 after your deposit. Kean has no English-language preparatory programme.
• English: TOEFL iBT 79, or a total of 4 for tests after 21 January 2026; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 105; scores valid for two years. Students who completed secondary school in English can request a waiver with a school letter.

5. Students from China

• Transcripts: high school transcripts need a NACES course-by-course evaluation.
• Gaokao and art exams: not published; ask International Admissions.
• Creative work: prepare the work and video for your program from sections 2 and 3.

6. Students in Canada (including BC)

• English: the rule depends on whether secondary school was completed in a country where English is the main language, with no list; graduates of English-medium schools can request a waiver. Confirm with International Admissions.
• BC grades: not published; transcripts also need a NACES evaluation.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer deadlines (no year stated): 1 June for fall and 1 November for spring (priority), then rolling; transcripts from abroad need a NACES evaluation, and those with fewer than 30 credits also submit proof of high school graduation.
• Creative work: both the Michael Graves College and the Studio Art BFA require transfers to submit work; Studio Art BFA transfers also start with provisional status.
• Transfer scholarship: a one-time USD 1,000 for a college GPA of 3.0 with an associate degree or 60 credits.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 undergraduate tuition: full time, USD 6,788.50 tuition plus USD 1,396.84 mandatory fees, USD 8,185.34 a semester; the special program rates on the tuition page list no extra fee for design or fine arts.
• 2026-27 on-campus cost of attendance: USD 41,422 in total (tuition and fees, housing and food, books, transportation and personal expenses).
• Which rate international students pay: the international FAQ says non-immigrant visa holders (F, J, H) are charged out-of-state tuition and fees, but the 2026-27 tuition page lists a single undergraduate rate. Confirm with Student Accounting.
• Laptop: the Michael Graves College has a laptop requirement page; check it for specifications.
• Merit scholarships: freshman and transfer applicants are considered automatically; complete by 1 February for priority Livingston consideration, others by 30 May. International eligibility is not stated; ask the Office of Scholarship Services.

Checklist

Students from China:

• Apply by the 30 April priority deadline with the USD 75 fee; get a NACES evaluation
• Prepare work for your program: Graphic Design and Advertising accept a 60–120 second video plus work, or a portfolio website; Industrial and Interior Design 10–12 works; Studio Art BFA 10–15 works
• TOEFL 79 (or 4), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105
• Ask the college for portfolio deadlines, and International Admissions about the Gaokao and the international tuition rate

Students in Canada (including BC):

• Get a NACES evaluation; graduates of English-medium schools can request an English waiver

Transfer students:

• 1 June priority deadline for fall; the same creative work rules apply

Sources: Kean University, Michael Graves College; MGC admissions; Special program admissions requirements; Graphic Design; Advertising; Industrial Design; Interior Design; Fine Arts; International freshman applicants; International transfer applicants; International admissions FAQ; Freshman application instructions; Tuition and fees 2026-27; Cost of attendance; Merit scholarships. Most dates do not state a year. Check Kean University’s website for the latest.