Admissions

Welcome to IAIA Office of Admissions—we are excited you are applying to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) for your educational journey. IAIA is the only four-year degree fine arts institution in the world devoted to contemporary Native American and Alaskan Native arts. As such, we dedicate ourselves, our curriculum, our facilities, and our energies to preparing our students for success and leadership, which reflects Native cultures and values. As one of 37 tribal colleges located in the United States, we are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and are a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

The mission of the Institute of American Indian Arts is “to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and community engagement.” This mission is more than a statement. It is the driving force behind all that we do and the guiding principle for our dedicated faculty and staff.

Many of the country’s most illustrious contemporary Native American artists, poets, writers, musicians, and cultural leaders are IAIA alums, while others are affiliated with IAIA as faculty, staff, visiting artists, and scholars. Among these are Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation) ’68, David Bradley (Chippewa) ’79, Dan Namingha (Hopi-Tewa) ’69, Allan Houser (Chiracahua Apache), T.C. Cannon (Kiowa, Caddo), Layli Longsoldier (Oglala Lakota) ’09, Linda Lomahaftewa (Hopi, Choctaw) ’65, Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) ’05, Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara) ’11, George Rivera (Pojoaque Pueblo) ’84, Dr. Jessie Ryker-Crawford (White Earth Anishinaabe) ’00, Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), Rose Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo) ’18, Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo) ’14, Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo) ’89, and many more.

Contact

admissions@iaia.edu

(505) 424-2325
(505) 424-4500 (fax)
Schedule Appointment

Institute of American Indian Arts
Office of Admissions and Recruitment
83 Avan Nu Po Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87508

Explore Degree Programs

We invite you to explore our degree programs and certificates to find out which program is right for you. Below are the programs we offer at IAIA.

Program	AA	AFA	BA	BFA	MFA	CT	ON
Broadcast Journalism
Business and Entrepreneurship
Cultural Administration
Cinematic Arts & Technology
Creative Writing
Indigenous Liberal Studies
Museum Studies
Native American Art History
Native American Studies
Performing Arts
Studio Arts

Key: Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Certificate (CT), and Online (ON)

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Brochure

Download the IAIA 2024 Admissions Brochure.

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Virtual Tours

View interactive virtual tours of the IAIA Campus.

Before you begin your application process please take time to check the application information below to ensure you are completing the correct application. For any questions regarding the application information, please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance and information.

Campus Safety and Fire Report

IAIA places a high priority on the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff, families, and visitors. Our campus community relies on a peaceful, safe, and secure environment. Preserving this environment is a responsibility everyone on campus must share. Download and view the IAIA Campus Safety and Fire Safety Report.

Freshman

Applicants who have never attended college; or are a graduating high school student with college credit earned through a dual enrollment program (regardless of the number of college credits earned); or have completed less than 24 college credit hours since graduating from high school or have earned a GED.

Freshman Admissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	Non-refundable $25 application fee
3	Official high school transcripts, GED, or HiSet
4	Official college transcripts (if applicable)
5	Tribal enrollment documentation (if applicable and optional)

Admissions Process

New Freshmen applications are reviewed and decisions returned as quickly as possible once your application is complete. To be reviewed for admissions, your file needs the have an application, an application fee (unless waived), and official high school transcripts.

Essays, portfolios or recommendations are not necessary.

Application Form

Please submit an online application by the priority consideration deadline for the term to which you want to attend.

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—July 27
Spring Term—January 4

Application Fee

$25 nonrefundable application fee.

Official Transcripts

Official high school transcripts, official GED test scores, or official HiSET scores can be sent to the Office of Admissions. If you have completed college courses (dual credit), official transcripts need to be sent directly from each college. IAIA Admission is provisional until the Admissions Office receives a complete, final and official transcript verifying graduation or completion.

College Placement Scores

IAIA is no longer using college placement scores for registration purposes. We will provide an IAIA assessment during orientation, which will be used for Math and English course placement.

Transfer Students

Applicants who have completed 24 or more transferable college credits at any accredited institution.

Admissions Process

Transfer applications are reviewed and decisions returned as quickly as possible once your application is complete and includes an application, an application fee (unless waived), and official transcripts for all colleges, two letter of recommendations, personal statement and a portfolio in the intended program of study.

A complete application will be sent to the Admission Review Committee to determine acceptance. The review process can take 1-2 weeks.

Application Form

Please submit an online application by the priority consideration deadline for the term to which you want to attend.

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—July 27
Spring Term—January 4

Transfer Admissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	Non-refundable $25 application fee
3	Official college transcripts from all institutions indicating a minimum of 24 transferable semester credits
4	Two letters of recommendation—at least one from a teacher, counselor, or community leader (non-family member)
5	Statement of interest (one page, typed)
6	A portfolio in the intended area of study (see Portfolio Requirements)
7	Tribal enrollment documentation (if applicable and optional)

IAIA has consortium partnerships with other colleges and admissions requirements may vary according to the partnership agreements. To view our partnerships, visit Articulations Agreements. Also make sure to contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Statement of Interest Requirements

A one-page typed statement in a 12-point font addressing the following:

Your educational and life goals and how the college can help you fulfill them.
An example of a leadership role you held in your community.
A situation in which you had to overcome adversity.

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio requirements vary among the majors and have specific requirements. Please submit a portfolio in the intended area of study. IAIA is not responsible for lost or misdirected items. Portfolios will not be returned.

The portfolio requirements vary among the majors and have specific requirements. Please submit a portfolio in the intended area of study.

Major Program: Creative Writing Portfolio Requirement

15 to 20 pages of original work (poetry, fiction, playwriting, or nonfiction)

Major Program: Indigenous Liberal Studies Portfolio Requirements

1,000 word essay including:

What you expect to gain through participation in the Indigenous Liberal Studies Program/Native American Studies program.
What experience you have had as a member of or working for an Indigenous or local community.
What issues facing Indigenous or local communities seem most important to you.

Major Program: Museum Studies Portfolio Requirements

700-word statement of interest in the Museum Studies program. The statement should include:

Goals and any special training or previous relevant employment or other experience.
Current knowledge of the museum/cultural center field.
The kinds of experiences he/she hopes will be a part of his/her college education.
Reasons for choosing the Museum Studies degree program.

Major Program: Cinematic Arts & Technology Portfolio Requirements

Up to five individual films (narrative, documentary, animation or experimental in nature), with a total running time of no more than 20 minutes. Applicants are encouraged to submit work on DVD media when possible, which should be able to be played on a standard DVD player. Applicants must check their work to meet this requirement. Do not send .flv, .swf or Windows Media files. If an applicant’s work is posted on the web, he/she should send the URL(s)as part of the portfolio as well.
A short film demonstrating foundational skills and promise toward the program.

Major: Performing Arts Portfolio Requirements

500 word essay, MLA format, that describes:

Your experience in theater or performing arts
Why you want to continue your experience in the Performing Arts program at IAIA

Or, the following:

A 4–7 minute video compilation of your previous work in a designated area of theater and/or dance, music, and
250–300 word essay, MLA format, that explains why you want to pursue a performing arts degree at IAIA (theater only)

Major Program: Studio Arts Portfolio Requirements

A minimum of 10 art pieces (photographs only) related to the applicant’s intended major and created within the past two years.

Applicants may email their files as a Power Point or Word document to the Office of Admissions at admissions@iaia.edu.

Please do not submit:

Original paintings or artwork.
Original three-dimensional pieces, such as jewelry, pottery, or sculpture.

Certificate and Online

Applicants who would like to earn a certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship, Museum Studies, or Native American Art History either in-person or online. For students with no college credit or less than 24 transferable college credits must apply as a Freshman. Visit the Online Certificate Programs page for more information.

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—July 27
Spring Term—January 4

Certificate Admissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	Non-refundable $25 application fee
3	Official high school transcript or GED (Freshman only applicants, see Freshman Requirements)
4	College placement score (Freshman only applicants, see Freshman Requirements)
5	Official college transcripts from all institutions indicating a minimum of 24 transferable semester credits
6	Tribal enrollment documentation (if applicable and optional)

Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program with two intensive residency periods per year (summer and winter), is designed as a two-year program and requires the completion of 48 credit hours. Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing with the following areas of emphasis—Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Screenwriting.

Low Residency MFA in Studio Arts

The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts (MFASA) is the second of IAIA’s low residency graduate degree programs, following the MFA in Creative Writing (MFACW), which was launched in 2013. The low residency model provides a professional degree in Studio Arts while allowing students to live at home and continue participating in work, family, and community. Students can graduate with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Arts with the following areas of emphasis: Integrated Practice, Studio Arts 2D Practice, and Studio Arts 3D Practice.

Low Residency MFA in Cultural Administration

MFA in Cultural Administration (MFACA) is IAIA’s third Master of Fine Arts program which dovetails, with the other two, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFACW), and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts (MFASA). Focused upon social equity and the support of cultural community growth, MFACA integrates administrative tools and techniques with socially engaged leadership through the blending of organization skills and community outreach programming.

International

Applicants who are or will be in the US with a valid visa status i.e., F1, J1. Applicants that are Canadian First Nations, must FIRST complete an International application until the Jay Treaty verification is provided, where they will then be changed to domestic applicant.

International students must apply for admission at least six months prior to the date of expected enrollment.
International applicants must have graduated from a school equivalent to the twelfth grade in the United States.
International students are not eligible for federal financial assistance.
All international students in F-1 status must take at least 12 semester hours in their degree plan each semester while attending IAIA.
An I-20 A-B will not be issued from the Institute until the applicant has completed the admissions file and has been accepted.
All documents submitted with the application must be official or original.

Admissions Process

International students must apply for admission at least six months prior to the date of expected enrollment. Complete applications will be sent to the review committee for admissions and can take 1–2 weeks. After your application is reviewed, the process will begin to establish I-20 paperwork to get your F-1 Visa and can take 1–2 weeks. Student transferring from another US institution, must also adhere to the transfer application requirements.

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—February 4
Spring Term—July 4

International Admissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	Non-refundable $25 application fee
3	Official transcripts in English of all previous academic work
4	An official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with a minimum score of 500 (paper test), 173 (computerized), 61 (iBT), or an English as Second Language (ESL) score of 109
5	Medical and physical document with proper immunization records
6	Two letters of recommendation—at least one from a teacher, counselor, or community leader (non-family member)
7	Statement of interest (one page, typed)
8	Statement from a recognized financial institution or responsible sponsor indicating sufficient funds in US dollars to cover academic and living expenses for the duration of the anticipated academic program
9	All International students are required to provide proof of medical and travel insurance
10	IAIA International Transfer Form (transfer applicants only)
11	A portfolio in the intended area of study (transfer applicants only, see Transfer Portfolio Requirements)
12	Download and view International F-1 Students Application Requirements and Information

Non-Degree

Non-degree and audit students are full-time or part-time students who wish to take a course or courses during the semester without earning credit toward a degree. If non-degree and audit students later wish to apply to a degree program, students must submit all of the required items for admission to that degree program before the respected application deadline.

Pay regular tuition and fees and are subject to IAIA’s rules and regulations
Must live off-campus
Register for classes after degree-seeking students have registered–this registration is through the admissions office on a space available basis and with the permissions of the Instructor and the Academic Dean
May not request credit status for a class after the last day to add a course according to the Academic Calendar
Are not eligible for Financial Aid from IAIA

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—August 4
Spring Term—January 4

Non-Degree Admissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	Non-refundable $25 application fee
3	Official college transcripts (optional to demonstrate fulfillment of a prerequisite course)

Readmission

Students who wish to return to IAIA who have previously attended IAIA and have been away for more than two consecutive semesters must complete the Readmissions Application. Students need to have left in good academic standing and not have a financial hold on their student account.

Priority Deadlines

Fall Term—August 4
Spring Term—January 4

Readmissions Requirements

No.	Item
1	Admissions application
2	$25 non-refundable application fee
3	Official college transcripts (if applicant attended another college or university during their time away from IAIA)