Lesley University College of Art and Design

Professional Art & Design School in a Leading University

We're a premier art and design school of about 700 students, but we're also part of a dynamic university with a liberal arts college. This means you'll have the small studio, hands-on experience of a professional art school where you'll gain industry-specific knowledge. And, you'll benefit from a broader perspective of a liberal arts educational experience—something most art schools can't provide.

Apply without the SAT—we get that great art doesn't come from a standardized test.

Get your BFA in any of these undergraduate majors with Lesley's College of Art & Design.

Animation & Motion Media	Digital Filmmaking
Fine Arts	Game Design & Immersive Technologies
Graphic Design	Illustration
Interactive Design	Photography
Visual Effects (VFX)	Visual Narrative

Learn more about Lesley's Art+Design Programs

Creative Combinations

Craft a creative combination and forge a new career path with an art & design program + a liberal arts major or one of 45 minors.

Fine Arts + Business Management/Brand Design and Marketing = Creative Director
Photography + Global Studies = International Photojournalist
Visual Narrative + History = Nonfiction Children's Book Author
Graphic Design + Political Science = Urban Planner
Digital Filmmaking + Earth & Environmental Science = Climate Change Activist
Animation + Creative Writing = Cartoonist

A still from Austin Vincent's film "Duino."

Art & Design

Austin Vincent ’20

Austin Vincent wanted to study visual effects (VFX), filmmaking and animation. Lesley offered him a pathway to do it all.

gallery exhibit with papers stuck to the white wall and framed images behind pedestals

Art & Design

Brittany Smith ’17

BFA in Photography alumna finds success as an independent curator

Sarah Rubenstein ’12

Design alum Sarah Rubenstein '12 started a business that shows up at the doorstep of artists and designers every month.

close up photo of comic book illustrations

Art & Design

Ellen Crenshaw ’07

Ellen Crenshaw '07 on success as an illustrator

Black and white photo of someone at a dinner table who has been ghosted out

Art & Design

Will Harris ’19

Will Harris ’19 publishes first book, ‘You Can Call Me Nana'

Josh Pinker ’14

With a new book, alumnus Josh Pinker hopes to guide other animation majors toward career success

black and white photo of lead singer performing in front row of concert

Jacob Bannon ’98

Design alum, Jacob Bannon, spans industry and medium to epitomize the role of "life artist."

black and gray illustration of flock of birds taking flight

Art & Design

Tyler Tsang ’17

Tyler Tsang '17 finds his design process is deeply motivated by change

Art & Design

Sgt. Elize McKelvey ’12

Art school graduate Elize McKelvey finds her niche as Marine Corps combat artist.

Portfolio Review with an Expert

Hoping to reflect yourself in your portfolio? Work one-on-one with a BFA expert to polish and perfect your portfolio before you submit. Schedule a session by visiting the Portfolio Review page.

Check out our Portfolio Tips for more advice.

Fact

Our small average class size means more personal attention and bigger opportunities for learning.

students present work on large tv screen in full classroom

92% Placement Rate

We're one of only 3 Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) art schools in a larger university. As a BFA student at Lesley, you'll develop industry-specific skills within a broader liberal arts education. And our 92% placement rate for 2020—the percentage of our bachelor's degree graduates who are employed or in graduate school—is one of the highest of any AICAD school in the country.

Applying to Lesley

Lesley University is SAT Blind

Great art has never come out of a standardized test. And we know that a single standardized test can't sum up your accomplishments and abilities. That's why we don't require SAT scores when you apply as a first-year student. Instead, we'll focus on the strength of your application, including your essay, portfolio, and activities.