Transfer students

Undergraduate transfer applicants

You must have your high school send us official transcripts of your secondary schoolwork and evidence of graduation or the equivalent. We also need official transcripts of all of your previous college work. These records are needed to complete the admission process and to assist our faculty committee in their review of your application and in their determination of year-level placement.

Transfer Credit: Transfer credit will be considered toward a CalArts degree only if earned at a regionally accredited postsecondary institution (or at a foreign academic institution recognized by its government) and a grade of A, B, C, or Pass was received.

All transfer credit will be evaluated by the Registrar according to guidelines developed by the Institute's schools.

Transfer credits submitted to fulfill the Critical Studies requirement will be measured against the CalArts component of 48 semester units. BFA candidates holding undergraduate degrees from other regionally accredited postsecondary institutions will be considered to have fulfilled the Institute's Critical Studies requirement.

Residence requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The CalArts Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a 120 unit, 8 semester program. A minimum of one year in residence must be completed and of this minimum at least the final semester before graduation must be in residence. Schools may establish slightly different criteria for the residency requirements under exceptional circumstances and on approval of the Provost.

Master of Fine Arts

A minimum of one year in residence is required, and of this minimum, at least the final semester before graduation must be in residence. Schools may establish slightly different criteria for the residency requirements under exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Provost.

 Minimum residence requirements for transfer students in years