How to Apply to Art and Design at Towson University: Start in the Art + Design B.S./B.A. and Two Levels of Foundations, Then Enter Screened B.F.A. Concentrations Such as Graphic Design, Illustration and Digital Art + Design by GPA and Portfolio, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Towson University, art and design are taught in the Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Here is what you need to know, based on Towson’s official websites, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and concentrations

• Art + Design B.S./B.A.: the catalog lists ceramics, design studies, fine arts, interdisciplinary object design, metalsmithing and jewelry, painting/drawing/printmaking, photographic imaging and sculpture; the fine arts and design studies tracks are B.S./B.A. only.
• Art + Design B.F.A. (screened): ceramics, digital art and design, graphic design, illustration, interdisciplinary object design, metalsmithing and jewelry, painting/drawing/printmaking, photographic imaging and sculpture; digital art and design, graphic design and illustration are B.F.A. only.
• Other programs: Art Education (screened), Art History, and minors in art history and museum studies.
• Foundations: all majors take first-level foundations (design, drawing, art history); each concentration adds second-level foundations.
• Supplies: the department provides some bulk materials and tools; students buy art supplies and safety equipment for studio courses, and the catalog strongly recommends a laptop for first-year students.

2. Admission and B.F.A. screening

• Entry: neither the department nor admissions mentions an entrance portfolio for freshmen; students are admitted under university standards and declare Art + Design. Towson notes that admission and declaring a B.S./B.A. concentration do not guarantee entry to screened programs.
• B.F.A. general requirements (catalog): declare the Art + Design B.S., complete first- and second-level foundations or at least 39 units in the major, hold a 2.67 GPA in ART courses, and pass a portfolio review; some concentrations admit on a space-available basis; students not admitted may reapply once. Forms and deadlines come from the department office or adviser at the start of the eligible term.
• Graphic Design B.F.A.: declare Design Studies in the first semester and apply at the end of the term in which prerequisites are completed (usually the third). Requirements: overall GPA 2.67; first-level foundations plus ART 220 or 219, ART 234 or 235, ART 317 and ART 355. The portfolio has 15–18 projects (a series counts as one): two each from ART 103, ART 211 and ART 234/235, and three each from ART 220/219, 317 and 355; two of your own photos can replace ART 234/235 work. Selection is based on the average of the screening GPA and a blind portfolio score; you must pass before ART 417, and may reapply once.
• Illustration B.F.A.: a 2.67 GPA in ART and ARTH major courses and at least 27 major units (including ART 101, 103, 104, 211, 212, ARTH 221, 222, ART 217 and 229). The portfolio is 10–15 original pieces in JPG or PDF on a USB drive or CD, dropped off at the art office; personal work may be included. Screening runs during finals week each spring and fall; reapply once if needed.
• Digital Art + Design B.F.A.: overall GPA 2.67, ART 101, 103, 104, 211, 212, ARTH 221 and 222, and at least 21 major units, usually at the end of the second freshman semester. The application form is emailed each November and April and is due on the last day of finals. Students with an art GPA below 3.5 submit a portfolio (one PDF, up to 10 images; video as mp4/mov or links); those at 3.5 or above are accepted on GPA confirmation. Holders of a related associate degree may apply before enrolling or after their first semester.
• Other B.F.A. concentrations: portfolio requirements come from the department office or adviser and are not published.

3. Applying (international freshmen, fall 2027)

• Deadlines: the deadlines page lists 1 November for Early Action and the Honors College, 1 February for Regular Decision and 1 June for international freshmen; international students must apply by 1 February for merit scholarship consideration. Spring entry: 1 November. Admitted fall students pay a nonrefundable USD 200 deposit by 1 May.
• Application: the Common App, with a nonrefundable USD 50 fee.
• English: TOEFL iBT 70 (17 per section, tests before 21 January 2026) or 4 on the new scale (3.5 per section), IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per band), PTE 49 or Duolingo 105, among others; Towson offers an academic bridge program for students below the minimum.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: sent by the school or a credential evaluation service; non-English records must be translated by a school official or the evaluator. High school-only applicants do not need a credential evaluation.
• Gaokao and art exams: Towson does not say how they are used; ask international admissions.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• English: three years of education in Canada (except Quebec) qualifies for exemption.
• Grades: requirements for BC courses are not published; ask international admissions. Students on study permits apply as international freshmen.

6. Transfer students

• University requirements: a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0. Fall 2027: Early Action and Honors College 1 March 2027, Regular Decision 1 June 2027; spring 2027: 15 November 2026. Coursework outside the US needs a course-by-course evaluation.
• Art credit: the department accepts art credits from accredited institutions, using portfolio evaluation and transfer credits to decide course equivalents.
• B.F.A.: transfers apply to Graphic Design at the end of the Towson semester in which they qualify; Digital Art + Design screening is open to admitted and enrolled transfers, and transferred equivalents count as prerequisites.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international undergraduate estimate (9 months, 12–15 units): tuition and fees USD 33,198, housing and food 16,366, books 960, personal 970, transportation 2,534 and health insurance 2,997, total USD 57,025. Art supplies are extra; amounts are not published.
• International Student Scholarship: awarded automatically from a complete application, amounts vary; submit everything by 1 February for best consideration.
• #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: a few fall international freshmen receive about half of tuition; email a separate application by 1 February. Recipients cannot also receive the International Student Scholarship.
• Department awards: college scholarships chosen each October from applications with a work sample are for enrolled students; the department’s high school portfolio scholarship takes nominations from Maryland high schools only.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 February for scholarship consideration, and no later than 1 June
• TOEFL 70 (4 on the new scale) or IELTS 6.0
• For Graphic Design, Illustration or Digital Art + Design, complete foundations, keep an art GPA of 2.67 or more, and prepare the screening portfolio for your concentration

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

• Exempt from English tests after three years in Canada outside Quebec; ask admissions about BC grade expectations

Transfer students:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or more; keep earlier art coursework for the department’s credit review
• Regular Decision for fall 2027 closes on 1 June 2027

Sources: Towson University, Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education; Art + Design major; Graphic Design BFA screening; Illustration BFA screening; Digital Art + Design BFA screening; Undergraduate catalog: department; Undergraduate catalog: Art + Design BFA; Department scholarships; Freshman deadlines; International English proficiency; International cost and scholarships; 2026-2027 international expense estimates; Transfer admission. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are 2026-27 estimates. Check Towson University’s website for the latest.