Application Process

Requirements vary by program. Please review the program-specific application requirements below. 

Note: The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) programs are designed for professionals with at least three years of full-time, industry-related work experience. If you do not possess this experience, you will not be considered a competitive candidate. 

The School of Graduate Studies only accepts online applications. Applicants can submit and review their complete application, and access post-submission updates through the applicant portal. Applicants are only permitted to apply to one undergraduate or graduate program at FIT per year. 

Applicants from institutions based in the United States must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended, listing all courses taken, grades and degrees earned, and dates of graduation to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor's degree or equivalent, you will be required to submit your official, final transcripts prior to your arrival at FIT.

Transcripts must be sent directly from the college/university registrar OR sent electronically from services such as Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. (Current/Former FIT students need not request academic transcripts from FIT; these will be supplied by internal procedures.)

It is strongly recommended that official transcripts from US institutions only be sent electronically to [email protected]. If ordering transcripts from a predetermined list of schools, make sure to choose the option for the "FIT - School of Graduate Studies". Transcripts sent to "FIT" or "SUNY FIT" may not reach the Graduate Admissions Office. 

Candidates with degrees earned outside the United States are required to obtain a course-by-course international credential evaluation. Additional information about international credential evaluation services can be found on our Graduate International Applicants page.

Two or three references are required depending on which graduate program you are applying for. Reference the admission requirements for your specific program below to confirm the required number for your program.  Recommenders should be able to speak to your scholastic ability or professional performance.

Recommendations are submitted online through the application portal. Enter the following information for each of your recommenders in your online application: name, address, email address, phone number, institution or employer, title, field/discipline.

It is extremely important to enter your recommenders' email addresses correctly so that they each receive an automated email instructing them how to proceed with their recommendation through an online process. Recommenders will be required to complete and submit an online evaluation form through the online application system. There is no function to upload documents in the recommendation form. Mailed and emailed recommendation letters will not be accepted. After your recommender submits the online recommendation, it will become part of your application.

You must provide a resume or CV that includes your employment and professional history in reverse chronological order, with titles, dates, noting part-time or full-time experience. Applicants are encouraged to include information about relevant skills, experience, and achievements.

One to three short written responses are required depending on which graduate program you are applying for. Reference the admission requirements for your specific program below to confirm the required number for your program. Our short written response questions are designed for applicants to show their personality while communicating clearly about their educational pursuits. We encourage applicants to discuss future professional objectives, including pertinent work and travel experience. Written response topics are revealed as you complete your online application.

GRE scores are not required.

Applicants who speak English as a second language must submit evidence of English Language Proficiency to do graduate work, as measured by the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS academic (International English Language Testing Service), PTE (Pearson Test of English), or Duolingo exams. This includes individuals who did not graduate from an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English, or comes from a country where English is not the official language.

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo results are valid for two years prior to the semester of your application. The minimum scores for English language examinations are: 

• TOEFL iBT:
  • For exams taken before January 21, 2026, a minimum score of 80 must be met
    
  • For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, a minimum score of 4 must be met for the total score and a minimum score of 4 in each of the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.
    
  • Please note, FIT only accepts TOEFL iBT® scores from a single test date, not MyBest™ scores.
    
  • FIT does not accept the TOEFL Essentials test.
• IELTS: A minimum band score of 6.5
• PTE: A minimum score of 53
• Duolingo: A minimum score of 110

There is an application fee of $100, payable by credit card. Application fees are non-refundable. Applicants are encouraged to select their program carefully as the college cannot transfer an incorrect application to a new program. 

A portfolio is a compilation of materials that demonstrate your skills, qualifications, education, training, and experiences. Submission of an online portfolio is required for all MFA programs. Requirements vary by department. Portfolios are submitted through SlideRoom after an applicant has submitted their application. Applicants will receive an email within five days of application submission with instructions on how to access SlideRoom.  

Upon initial review of your application, all candidates applying for the Visual Arts Management, Fashion Design, Exhibition and Experience Design, Fashion and Textile Studies, Global Fashion Management, and Illustration programs will submit a brief recorded interview through the application portal. Applicants will be given two minutes to respond to each of the four recorded questions. Applicants should be prepared to take part in a follow up live interview with their academic department upon request.