Academic Transcripts

Applicants to CalArts’ program must meet our academic transcript requirements in order to be eligible for admission. Once you create an application account to begin your CalArts application, please upload unofficial transcripts as part of your application. 

Submission of transcripts

Upload unofficial copies of academic transcripts from all institutions attended in the online application. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript, even if the second side is blank. 

Uploaded unofficial transcripts should include the following: your name, the institution name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, and grading legend. If no transcript is available, please upload a PDF document with a statement explaining the circumstances. 

You may also submit official transcripts electronically using any credentialing service (Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, eTranscript, SPEEDE network).

Do not mail hard copies of official or unofficial transcripts.

Undergraduate (BFA) transcript requirements

Graduation from an accredited secondary school or its CalArts-approved equivalent is required to enter (and graduate) from either the undergraduate certificate or the BFA program. Equivalence may be established by completing the General Educational Development (GED) examination or a comparable regional test such as the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).

Graduate (MFA and MA) transcript requirements

College academic transcripts are required of all MFA/MA applicants. College transcripts should cover all work undertaken and should be sent for each institution attended. Completion or the expected completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required of all MFA/MA applicants. High school transcripts are not needed from graduate applicants. 

Doctorate (DMA) applicants

Graduate school academic transcripts are required of all DMA applicants. Transcripts should cover all work undertaken and should be sent for each institution attended.

Completion or the expected completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for all DMA applicants. High school transcripts are not needed from DMA applicants. 

Transfer applicants

Transcripts are also required of transfer applicants. Be sure to review Transfer Applicant Requirements for additional requirements.

International Academic Transcripts

If you studied at an institution outside the United States, please consult our International Student Guidelines to determine what requirements apply to your application.

Upon admission to CalArts

As soon as you learn of your admission to CalArts, please arrange to have your in-progress, official transcripts sent to CalArts. If you decide to join us at CalArts, you will be required to submit final official transcripts with degree conferral and graduation date. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically using any credentialing service (Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, eTranscript, SPEEDE Network) or by physical mail.

Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to the CalArts Office of Admissions. Do not submit a paper copy of your transcript if you have requested transcripts through CHESICC.