FAQs

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Interaction Design program at SVA.

APPLYING

What should be included in my portfolio? The clarity of your portfolio is a critical part of presenting the quality of your work. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio of approximately 20 pieces that shows a broad range of design work. Pieces should demonstrate a fluency in interface design, information architecture, typography, design research and strategy, and application or web design when possible, and proficiency across a variety of tools.
Do all items in my portfolio have to be unique? No. Multiple items in your portfolio can represent different aspects of the same project.
Who is the ideal candidate for the Interaction Design program? Do you prefer people with working experience or people directly out of undergraduate programs? The ideal candidate for MFA in Interaction Design has a cross-disciplinary set of interests, comes from a design or design-minded field, and is a systems thinker. Most candidates will have between two and five years of professional experience, although some students may come directly from an undergraduate degree. Prospective students need not be advanced web, mobile, or interactive designers already, but should be curious and imaginative, experimenting with interactions on their own—particularly if coming from a traditional design field. Prospective students from fields such as research, writing, and engineering with a fluency in design may provide an interesting complement to the program as well.
Do I need an undergraduate degree? It is a New York State requirement that all students pursuing graduate study submit a copy of their undergraduate transcript with proof of their undergraduate degree to the institution where they will begin their studies. This documentation is required prior to the start of the fall semester. SVA cannot permit a student to attend classes until this documentation is on file.
Can have my professors directly mail their letters of recommendation to the Admissions Office? Unfortunately, SVA’s policy is that it is in the applicant’s best interest to send one package with all application materials by a trackable means. Unless the student is physically placing the letter in the envelope, he/she never will know if it actually reaches SVA. Oftentimes people promise letters and never mail them or they get lost. The recommender might even neglect to put the applicant’s full name in the letter, so we always have a pile of pieces we are unable to place into any file.
Is there a specific direction you would like to see taken in our Statements of Purpose? We look for the purpose statement to complement and introduce the work in your portfolio and your CV, but more importantly, to introduce you. Consider we’ll have access to the pieces you include; this statement is an opportunity to demonstrate you, in your way. If that is by metaphor, by narrative, we want to hear it. This essay will distinguish you from others, introduce us to you, give us the first impression about why you’d like to be a part of the interaction design community, specifically at SVA.

CAMPUS LIFE

Does SVA provide Housing? The School of Visual Arts provides dorm house near the department (10-15 minute walk). Housing room rates will be based on room size and type. Please visiting the Residence Life for more information regarding pricing, tours, and more.
Does SVA provide meals on campus? SVA cafeterias are located in the 209 East 23rd Street and 141 West 21st Street buildings. The College offers a declining balance food service plan to its students through its affiliation with Moe’s Cafe and Hidden City Cafe. With a simple swipe of their student ID card, students can purchase meals without cash. The declining balance account can be set up at the Office of Student Accounts by filling out the declining balance food service enrollment form. Students who do not elect to take advantage of this service can pay cash for meals. For more information, please visiting the Student Affairs website. Of course, New York City offers many delis, restaurants, and fast food vendors in the area as well.
What’s it like to live in New York City? At SVA, New York City is our campus. This provides an ever-changing backdrop for a lot of fun and exciting events. Students are encouraged to participate in all the events, happening on and off campus. Student activities are an active part of SVA. Activities include the popular off-Broadway and Broadway theatre events, internationally acclaimed museum exhibits, sporting events, like the Knicks and Rangers, and an opportunity to go on various outdoor excursions such as skiing. For more information, please visit the Student Activities website.

FINANCES

What is the cost of tuition for the program? Tuition to the program is estimated at $17,670 per semester with a departmental fee of $400 per semester.
What are my options for financial aid? The SVA Office of Financial Aid coordinates the many sources of aid to meet as much of the students’ financial needs as funding permits. Contact the office for more information at 212.592.2030.
Does SVA offer scholarships? The department distributes partial merit-based scholarships to students entering the fall semester. The receivers of the scholarships are chosen based on the submitted MFA in Interaction Design applications, and no additional forms are necessary. The program also has assistantships available for tuition reimbursement, and internships outside the school available with various companies and design firms.

SVA will match 25% of any outside scholarship, up to $2,500, that a student obtains for enrollment at SVA. This award is available to full-time graduate students.

Does SVA offer internships or assistantships? SVA does offer teaching assistantships for students who want to teach at the undergraduate level. Students will receive compensation that will be handled through a tuition reimbursement. Internships are available throughout the year both within the department and outside the department at local firms and companies. Summer internships are also available through departmental relationships, locally and nationally, for credit toward the thesis project. Faculty will also be happy to make introductions and recommendations to potential internship possibilities whenever possible.
What work study positions are available? For those who qualify through financial aid, we offer a work-study program with on and off-campus employment opportunities, most of which are in the field of the student’s choice. Departments on campus include the Library, Film Library, or Financial Aid offices. For more information about applying for a work study position, contact the Financial Aid office at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Is there a TOEFL requirement? The TOEFL is required of all applicants whose primary language is not English. The TOEFL score is part of the application and should reach the office of graduate admissions as close to the deadline of January 15, 2012 as possible. A missing TOEFL score will keep a file incomplete and un-reviewable. For more detailed information, see requirements for international applicants on the Graduate Admissions page.
Do I have to take the TOEFL if I’ve completed a Bachelor’s Degree at a U.S. institution? Applicants whose primary language is not English, but who have completed a Bachelors Degree at a U.S. institution or a foreign institution whose instruction is in English are normally waived from the TOEFL requirement.
Is there anything that SVA requires of records from international institutions before they become part of an application? Possibly some sort of accreditation review? Applicants who have academic documents from institutions outside of the United States are required to provide original, attested, or certified true copies of academic records for each year of study. These records should be in the original language issued. If not in English, applicants must also submit an official translation of academic documents. Translations must be a complete, literal, word-for-word translation in the same format of the original academic document. Please note that all documents submitted become the property of School of Visual Arts and will not be returned. For additional information and requirements, please visits the Graduate Admissions page.
What are the options for International students and internships? Federal regulations are highly restrictive of international students’ employment. International students in F-1 student status are prohibited by law to work without permission either from SVA’s International Student Office or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Unauthorized employment is a violation of status, so this rule must be observed carefully. F-1 students may work on-campus at SVA for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters and full-time during vacation. It is important to remember that you are required to have obtained authorization for employment (a work permit) for any off-campus work. This includes paid and unpaid internships.


On-Campus Employment (Non-Work Study)
International students on a F-1 and J-1 visa are eligible to apply for on-campus employment. These positions are called ‘non-work study’ positions at SVA, and can be found through the Office of Career Development and other offices around campus. On-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours per week during the required semesters of fall and spring.  Students become eligible for this type of employment from their first semester at SVA.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization that allows students on a F-1 visa status to gain up to twelve months of professional work experience in their field of study. Students will be eligible to apply for this benefit to be used either before or after graduation.  Each semester, the International Student Office provides workshops on how to apply for OPT and other immigration benefit.

Employment eligibility and how to apply for the appropriate authorization will be explained in more detail during the International Student Orientation program, and throughout the school year during workshops. For further information regarding employment eligibility in the meantime, please feel free to contact the International Student Office at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at 212.592.2236.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

What is the size of the program? Approximately 18 students per year.
Is it a full-time program, or can I take courses part-time, remotely? The program right now is limited to full-time students for a two-year residency. Because of its intensive nature, there are no part-time or remote opportunities. We have weekend workshops and lectures that are open to the public, but these are not for credit and wouldn’t count toward a degree. At some point, we may offer a part-time degree, but at this point, it is strictly for full-time students.
Can I maintain a full-time or part-time job while pursuing the degree? To offer the most flexibility to working professionals, most courses take place in the evenings from 6PM-9PM. Some courses, including short-intensives and workshops that complement courses, will be taking place during the day. Therefore, the amount of work, particularly in the first semester, may be quite daunting for someone working full-time. While we understand that working full-time may be a requirement for some, we discourage full-time jobs whenever possible in the first year, and recommend opting for a more flexible working schedule if you can manage it.
How many hours will I spend in class per week? How many hours will I be expected to spend outside of class? 15 hours will be dedicated to class. 30-35 hours outside class.

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