Graduate Student Events and Webinars
Offering an even closer look at RISD, our on-campus and online info sessions feature faculty, staff and current students sharing information about research support, professional development and career preparation, and other valuable insights into the RISD graduate experience.
Events and programs
Admitted graduate students will be invited to attend and participate in information sessions. Programming provides general information about the RISD community, and an overview of available resources, department-based meetings and opportunities to connect with your incoming classmates. In-person orientation events are offered in September to welcome you to campus.
Incoming student summer programs
Additionally, the following departments run summer programs that incoming students will be required to attend:
- Architecture | 3-year MArch
- Interior Architecture | MDes (both programs)
- Landscape Architecture | 2- and 3-year MLA
- Teaching + Learning in Art + Design | MAT
March 2025
MAR 6
Graduate Decision Release
MAR 19
Landscape Architecture Online Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
10-11 AM EDT
Meet Landscape Architecture faculty online on March 19th at 10:00am EDT for a webinar designed to give you a closer look at your program and curriculum.
MAR 24
Teaching + Learning in Art + Design (TLAD) | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
6–7 PM EST
Department Head, Shana Cinquemnai, has invited you to a Welcome and Questions & Answers session online. This will be an opportunity for you to hear from Shana about the MAT and MA programs for 2025-26 and ask any questions you have on your program. Please ensure you are logged into Zoom prior to this session. You will be admitted into the meeting from the Zoom waiting room when Shana is ready to begin the session.
MAR 25
International Q&A | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
8–9 AM EST
We invite newly admitted international students to join us for a webinar with members from RISD International Student and Scholars Office and the Center for Arts and Language
MAR 31
Master of Industrial Design (MID) Online Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
6:30-7:30 PM EDT
Join Graduate Program Director, Ayako Takase, along with current 1st and 2nd year MID students on Monday, March 31 from 6:30 - 7:30PM EST for a casual meeting and Q+A session to learn more about the program and student experiences.
April 2025
APR 2
Interior Architecture Online Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
10-11 AM EDT
Meet Interior Architecture faculty online on Wednesday, April 2 from 10-11 AM EDT for a closer look at the department's three degrees, information about the department's facilities, and a quick survey of some INTAR alumni and student work.
APR 2
Career Center | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
11–12 AM EST
Join our Career Center team for an informational webinar for newly admitted students.
APR 3
Landscape Architecture In-Person Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
10 AM–5 PM EST
This in-person open house will introduce admitted students to the program: they will be able to visit our studios, sit in on classes, meet current students and faculty, and tour the campus!
APR 3
MArch Architecture In-Person Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
12–4 PM EST
Join the Architecture Department for Open Studio Day. Admitted students and their guests can sit in on current studio work and experience the culture of RISD Architecture firsthand. Lunch will be served, followed by a reception at the end of the event.
APR 3
Housing | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
2–3 PM EST
Learn more about your options for housing on and off-campus directly from our team in Residence life. Creative practice is thrilling and intense. It's important to recharge—to feel at home while getting the most out of your time outside the studio. We'll go over the many ways to discover your campus and community, as well as housing support, resources for international students and more.
APR 7
MArch Online Open House | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
10 AM–12 PM EST
Interested in getting a feel of RISD Architecture? Graduate Program Director Debbie Chen will take you on a virtual tour of RISD Architecture to showcase our vibrant studio culture and current course offerings. The tour will be followed by a student-only Q&A session.
APR 7
Grad Studies Experience | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
11–12 PM EST
In this one-hour session RISD’s Admissions and Graduate Studies offices will answer questions about academic programs, RISD’s studio culture and more.
APR 8
International Q&A | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
8–9 AM EST
We invite newly admitted international students to join us for a webinar with members from RISD International Student and Scholars Office and the Center for Arts and Language
APR 10
Financial Aid & Student Employment | Admitted Graduate Student Webinar
11–12 PM EST
Have questions about financial aid and how to fund your education? Join Student Financial Services and Campus Employment for a session about the financing of a RISD degree, we will go over important dates, payment plan information, loan details and other important information to consider.
July 2025
JUL 7 – AUG 1
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) summer program
All students entering our MLA I and II programs are required to attend a summer program, Design Foundations/Field Ecology. The summer preparatory course introduces studio-based conceptual design thinking and skill development, like drawing and model making, while gaining knowledge of foundational ecological principles through immersive field experiences and observational learning. The course offers students building blocks for the fall semester studios, lecture courses and seminars.
JUL 7 – AUG 15
Master of Architecture (MArch) summer program
Master of Architecture (MArch) study begins in the summer with required full-time coursework beginning in early–mid July. The in-person summer term emphasizes physical making, digital skills and the language of architectural discourse. The three, interrelated courses taught in the summer (Drawing, Design and Spatial Dynamics) aim to expand the range of ideas, techniques and media that constitute the discipline of architecture.
These courses, taken simultaneously for a total of nine required credits, are designed for graduate students both with and without prior experience working in an architecture studio. Over the course of the summer students make use of the Architecture department's digital fabrication facilities, flexible studio space, wood shop and gallery. If you have any questions about the summer program, please contact archgrad@risd.edu.
JUL 7 – AUG 15
Master of Design (MDes) summer program
MDes programs begin with a study of the fundamentals of design in an immersive summer program in Providence. This program runs from July 7–August 15, 2025.
JUL 7 – AUG 15
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) summer program
Students entering the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program begin their studies with a summer session. Enrolling students will receive a MAT program handbook with program details prior to the program start date. There are no additional costs or supply purchases required by incoming MAT students.
Academic resource webinars
Center for Arts & Language: Graduate Student Info Session
The Center for Arts & Language is a college-wide resource offering academic support and advocacy for effective and expressive communication at the many intersections of arts and language. Hear A&L Director Jen Liese share information about the important resources and services the center offers for grad students, including tutoring in writing, public speaking and visual communication, as well as English language support for multilingual students.
CoWorks: Introduction for Graduate Students
Meet CoWorks Director David Kim and learn about the tools, training and interdisciplinary skill-building opportunities that CoWorks provides for both remote and on-campus graduate students.
Fleet Library: Orientation for Graduate Students
Learn about the many resources the Fleet Library has to offer both remote and on-campus graduate students. The presentation reviews how to access the library's collections and find the support you need for your research.
Intro to RISD Global for Graduate Students
In this session, new and returning graduate students will learn about the many opportunities for global engagement available through RISD Global, the college’s hub for global learning and academic engagement in art and design education. The RISD Global team will share information about off-campus programs, partnerships, initiatives, research assistantships and off-campus co-teaching opportunities, and guide you in exploring all available resources to grad students both on campus and remotely.
Nature Lab: Info Session for Graduate Students
Join the Nature Lab team to learn how graduate students can access this campus resource this semester, whether you are on campus or remote. The session will cover the Nature Lab’s online and in-person services, including an extensive natural history collection, biomaterials advice, sustainability tools, 3D scanning, GIS and photography.
Office of International Student Services (OISS) Employment for International Graduate Students
Join OISS to learn about the important requirements and process for international graduate students to secure legal employment while studying at RISD.
RISD Careers: Info Session for Graduate Students
Meet the RISD Careers team and learn how graduate students can benefit from our services from the start of your time here. This webinar introduces you to the resources and events RISD’s career center offers graduate students, both on-campus and remote.
RISD Museum: Graduate Student Resource Orientation
Explore digital and gallery resources, along with graduate student opportunities, with Public and Academic Program staff members Alexandra Poterack and Deb Clemons. The presentation covers research basics, professional options and opportunities for students to share creative practices.