Graduate Application Guide

Step 3: Upload your portfolio to Herron's SlideRoom

Below, review the portfolio requirements of the program for which you are applying. When you are ready to submit your portfolio, visit Herron's SlideRoom at herron.slideroom.com to upload your images.

There is a $10 submission fee with using Herron's SlideRoom.

Art Therapy applicants may submit 10-15 images via Herron's SlideRoom.

The pieces of artwork should demonstrate your experience with different media and an ability to understand the motivations of one's own personal art-making processes. If you are selected to participate in an in-person interview, your portfolio will be reviewed with you as a part of the interview process.

Communication Design applicants may submit up to 10 portfolio pieces online via Herron's SlideRoom, including time-based media.

The nature of your portfolio depends on the nature of your experiences. If you are a recent graduate from an undergraduate program in design, your portfolio will most likely represent the best of your undergraduate studio experiences. If you have worked professionally in a field of design, your portfolio will most likely represent client work. In either case, focus on as much communication as possible, showing your design processes.

Do not create a portfolio that contains only designed products. Your portfolio should demonstrate how you solve problems. Include "briefs" that define the problem or opportunity statements and communication objectives, as well as the audience and context for each project so that your work can be evaluated meaningfully.

Visual Art applicants may submit 18-25 images online via Herron's SlideRoom, including time-based media.

Additional instructions for international applicants

If you applying to Herron as an international student, follow the steps below to complete your application.

Proof of English proficiency is required for international students unless the applicant's undergraduate degree is from a university that is located in a country where English is the official language.

Most commonly, students submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. TOEFL scores must total 79 or higher on the internet-based test (550 or higher on the paper-based test). IELTS scores must total 6.5 or higher.

Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to IUPUI by the testing agency. The IUPUI reporting code for TOEFL is 1325. Other tests or ELS coursework may be accepted in order to verify English proficiency.

For a list of all options and minimum scores required, please see the IUPUI Office of International Affairs English Requirements.

For a full list of required documents, please visit the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs.

Application deadlines

February 1: Deadline to submit your completed online application

February 15: Deadline to submit all supplemental materials

Application fees

  • IU Indianapolis online graduate application fee: $70 for all applicants
  • Herron portfolio submission fee: $10 (non-refundable; cannot be waived)

Herron will waive the IU Indianapolis online application fee for U.S. citizens who talk with a Herron representative at the Graduate Portfolio Day event in Chicago. The online application fee cannot be waived for international students who participate in the Graduate Portfolio Day event.

Questions?

Ask an admissions advisor, or contact Herron's Office of Admissions and Student Services directly at 317-278-9400 or herrgrad@iupui.edu.