How to apply to art and design at Rowan University: the BA in Art and the BFA in Studio Art (animation, graphic design, illustration, ceramics, painting, photography and more) both need an essay of 300–500 words and a SlideRoom portfolio, plus portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

Rowan University is in Glassboro, New Jersey. Its art degrees are offered by the Department of Art in the College of the Arts. This guide summarizes what the university’s website says for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Degrees

• BA in Art: 30 studio credits, with optional primary areas and a senior group exhibition. There is also an Art and Education dual major (BA in Art and BA in Education, K-12).
• BFA in Studio Art: 66 studio credits and a solo or duo senior exhibition (graphic design has a senior group exhibition). Concentrations: animation, ceramics, graphic design, illustration, jewelry and metals, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture, plus an Atelier concentration with Studio Incamminati. The department says the BFA can list a concentration in graphic design, animation and/or illustration.
• Related program: the Biomedical Visualization BFA (BMAV) recruits together with Art but sits in the Radio, Television & Film department.
• Minors: Art and Art History, open to any Rowan student.

2. How to apply and what the portfolio needs

• Two steps: submit the Rowan application first (first-year students can use the Common App or the Rowan Application; transfer and international students use the Rowan Application), then submit the art application on SlideRoom (account required).
• Essay: 300–500 words on why you create, your process and influences, your career and degree goals, and your artistic direction.
• Works: 12–25 pieces, including at least 6 works from direct observation (not from photographs or imagination alone; still life, figure, landscape or interiors) and at least 6 original works (from class, community projects or your own). Several views or details of one 2D or 3D work count as one piece.
• Two wordings on the count: the same page says 12–25 pieces and also recommends sketchbook pages “in addition to 12 required pieces”. Both are recorded here; follow what SlideRoom shows.
• Other notes: drawing is required whatever area you plan to study; studies and process work are fine and need not be mounted; do not include copies of photos, ads, comics or other artists’ work.
• Originality: all work must be your own original work and may not replicate other artists’ work; see the portfolio page for the exact policy.
• In-person review: email artinfo@rowan.edu to schedule a one-on-one portfolio review.
• Deadline: the portfolio page points to the admissions calendar; no separate portfolio deadline is published.

3. Dates and fees

• Domestic first-year: the calendar lists March 1 for fall entry, with a January 31 priority date for merit scholarships, and January 7 for spring; fee USD 65 (the page does not show a year). Testing is optional.
• International first-year: application, high school transcript and English test, plus a portfolio review for art majors. Fall 2027: without a US visa, apply by June 1, complete materials by June 8 and confirm by July 1; with an eligible visa, July 1 / July 8 / August 1. Spring 2027: November 2. Application fee USD 45; enrollment deposit USD 100. International students start only in fall or spring.

4. English

• Minimums: Duolingo 110; TOEFL 70 (4 on the new test from January 21, 2026); IELTS 6.0; PTE 50.
• Exemptions: the list of countries where English is the official language and language of instruction includes Canada (except Quebec); the IB Diploma and SAT 900 / ACT 16 also qualify, among others.
• Below the minimum: conditional admission with English study is possible.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: high school transcript with certified English translation; credential evaluation is optional.
• Gaokao and art exams: Rowan does not say how these are used; ask international admissions.
• English: China is not on the exemption list, so a test score is needed.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canada (except Quebec) is on the exemption list; confirm how eligibility is determined with international admissions.
• BC grade requirements: not published.

7. Transfer students

• Portfolio: transfer applicants also submit the art application on SlideRoom with the same requirements.
• Credit: up to 90 credits; most majors need a 2.0 GPA, which does not guarantee admission.
• New Jersey community colleges: an AA or AS brings at least 60 transferable credits; without the degree, up to 60–64 credits may transfer. The department refers to the catalog for program requirements.
• Dates: domestic transfer deadlines are December 1 for spring 2027 and March 1 for fall 2027, with no fee; international transfer fee is USD 45, with the international deadlines above.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 out-of-state full-time cost: tuition and fees USD 29,664; about USD 54,630 in total with housing, meals and other costs. International students are not listed separately, and art course fees are not published.
• College of the Arts scholarships: based on academic potential and artistic achievement at the portfolio review; renewable for four years with a 3.0 GPA for art and full-time study in the original program. Amounts and international eligibility are not published.
• International scholarships: admitted international first-year and transfer students with a valid non-immigrant visa are considered automatically for USD 1,000 to 19,000 a year, with a 2.5 GPA to keep it.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit the Rowan international application, then a 300–500-word essay and 12–25 works on SlideRoom (at least 6 observational and 6 original)
• Fall 2027: apply by June 1 and complete by June 8; TOEFL 70 (4 on the new test), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 110
• Ask international admissions how the Gaokao and art exams are used

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Confirm the English exemption and how BC grades are reviewed; same portfolio requirements

Transfer students:

• Submit the university application and the SlideRoom portfolio; ask how studio credits transfer

Sources: Rowan University, Art undergraduate programs; Art portfolio requirements; Art, music, theatre and dance requirements; New Jersey transfer; Application calendar and fees; Scholarships; International undergraduate requirements; International deadlines; Scholarships for international students; English Language Policy; Transfer eligibility and credit; Cost of attendance 2026-27. Deadlines are for 2027 entry and costs for 2026-27. Check Rowan’s website for the latest.