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California Institute of the Arts

  • The CalArts Way

    Learn about our approach to the full development of the creative abilities of visual and performing artists.

    How We Work

    Programs of Study

    Explore our unique undergraduate and graduate degree programs and specializations from our six world-renowned Schools. 

    Find a Program

    CalArts Schools

    • Art
    • Critical Studies
    • Dance
    • Film/Video
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Extended Studies

    Academic Resources

    • Academic Calendar
    • Library
    • Academic Catalog
    • Registrar
    • Academic Support
    • Provost's Office
    • Performance and Exhibition Spaces

    Beyond Campus

    • REDCAT
    • Community Arts Partnership (CAP)
    • Center for New Performance (CNP)
    • Reef Residency
  • Why CalArts?

    Start your CalArts journey by learning more about our vibrant community.

    What sets us apart

    Admissions

    • Application Process
    • Admission Requirements
    • International Applicants
    • Transfer Applicants
    • Veterans
    • Accepted Students
    • FAQs

    Tuition

    • Tuition and Fees
    • Payment Options
    • Payment and Refund Deadlines

    Financial Aid

    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Aid for Undergraduate Students
    • Aid for Graduate Students
    • Aid for International Students

    Visits and Events

    • Campus Tours and Information Sessions
    • Open Houses
    • Regional Events
    • Meet Our Counselors
  • Career Services

    Explore our holistic approach to creative career development with workshops, advising, and networking opportunities.

    Patty Disney Center for Life and Work

    Campus Life

    • The CalArts Student Experience
    • Housing
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    • City of Santa Clarita
    • Connecting to LA
    • Campus Safety
    • Graduation 2025

    Student Services

    • Health and Well-being
    • Sexual Respect
    • Disability Services
    • International Student Support
    • Student Conduct
    • Parents and Families
  • Giving

    Your gift empowers the next generation of transformative artists. 

    Give to CalArts

    Alumni

    Join our worldwide alumni community to grow personally and professionally with resources and support.

    Get involved

    Institute

    • About CalArts
    • Mission and Values
    • Equity and Diversity (IDEA)
    • Leadership
    • History
  • Visit
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Academics

The CalArts Way

Learn about our approach to the full development of the creative abilities of visual and performing artists.

How We Work

Programs of Study

Explore our unique undergraduate and graduate degree programs and specializations from our six world-renowned Schools. 

Find a Program

CalArts Schools

  • Art
  • Critical Studies
  • Dance
  • Film/Video
  • Music
  • Theater
  • Extended Studies

Academic Resources

  • Academic Calendar
  • Library
  • Academic Catalog
  • Registrar
  • Academic Support
  • Provost's Office
  • Performance and Exhibition Spaces

Beyond Campus

  • REDCAT
  • Community Arts Partnership (CAP)
  • Center for New Performance (CNP)
  • Reef Residency

Admissions & Aid

Why CalArts?

Start your CalArts journey by learning more about our vibrant community.

What sets us apart

Admissions

  • Application Process
  • Admission Requirements
  • International Applicants
  • Transfer Applicants
  • Veterans
  • Accepted Students
  • FAQs

Tuition

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Payment Options
  • Payment and Refund Deadlines

Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid Basics
  • Aid for Undergraduate Students
  • Aid for Graduate Students
  • Aid for International Students

Visits and Events

  • Campus Tours and Information Sessions
  • Open Houses
  • Regional Events
  • Meet Our Counselors

Life at CalArts

Career Services

Explore our holistic approach to creative career development with workshops, advising, and networking opportunities.

Patty Disney Center for Life and Work

Campus Life

  • The CalArts Student Experience
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • City of Santa Clarita
  • Connecting to LA
  • Campus Safety
  • Graduation 2025

Student Services

  • Health and Well-being
  • Sexual Respect
  • Disability Services
  • International Student Support
  • Student Conduct
  • Parents and Families

About

Giving

Your gift empowers the next generation of transformative artists. 

Give to CalArts

Alumni

Join our worldwide alumni community to grow personally and professionally with resources and support.

Get involved

Institute

  • About CalArts
  • Mission and Values
  • Equity and Diversity (IDEA)
  • Leadership
  • History

Admissions Menu

  1. Application Process
  2. Admission Requirements
  3. International Applicants
  4. Transfer Applicants
    1. – Transfer Credits
    2. – Residency Requirements
    3. – Community College Transfer Pathways
  5. Veterans
  6. Accepted Students
  7. FAQs
  • Visit
  • News
  • Give
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  1. Home
  2. Admissions
  3. Transfer Applicants

Transfer Applicants

Admissions and Aid

Admissions

  1. Application Process
  2. Admission Requirements
  3. International Applicants
  4. Transfer Applicants
    1. – Transfer Credits
    2. – Residency Requirements
    3. – Community College Transfer Pathways
  5. Veterans
  6. Accepted Students
  7. FAQs

CalArts believes that transfer students bring with them a wide variety of life experiences and skills that enrich our educational community. Whether transferring to CalArts from a community college or university, or already holding a bachelor’s degree, you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are at the forefront of expanding the landscape of the arts.

How to apply

At CalArts, year-level placement (that is, the year-level at which a student begins: BFA 1, BFA 2, etc.) is based on the level of work presented in the portfolio/audition as determined by a review from a faculty committee in conjunction with an assessment of transferable credits from a regionally accredited institution. 

Therefore, as a transfer applicant you must submit transcripts of all of your previous college work. If you have not obtained an AA or BA degree, you must also submit High School Transcripts and evidence of graduation or the equivalent. 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 program-level placement.

Transfer credits

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.

Any transfer credits from accredited institutions outside of the United States must be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts to be sent to CalArts electronically in addition to an official transcript.

The professional credential evaluation services from which CalArts will accept evaluations:

  • World Education Services
  • Educational Credential Evaluators
  • International Education Evaluations

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 46 semester units. Students with previous bachelor’s degrees do not have to fulfill the full 46-unit Critical Studies Undergraduate Requirements. They are required, however, to complete at least 8 Critical Studies units in order to obtain a BFA degree from CalArts. All students will be required to take at least 8 of the 46 credits total in Critical Studies at CalArts. Those students working toward a Certificate of Fine Arts are not subject to Critical Studies Undergraduate Requirements. 

Please view the Critical Studies Transfer Guide to learn which academic courses from other accredited institutions may be considered for transfer into the Critical Studies area of the BFA degree.

The transfer of studio courses into your program of study are determined by a faculty review of your incoming portfolio or audition. Accepted applicants will be told of their transfer level at the time of admissions.

Please view our Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

Credit by exam

CalArts grants Critical Studies core credit toward the BFA degree for successful completion of examinations in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and British A Levels.

Please view our Transfer Credit Policy for more information and AP, IB and A Level Credit by Exam course by course equivalency guides.

Contact us

  • Holden King

    Enrollment Management;
    Transfer Initiatives Coordinator;
    Admissions Counselor
    Email address: hking@calarts.edu
    Phone number: 661-255-8314
    Room number: F303
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    Holden King headshot
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California Institute of the Arts

Mailing address:
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 661-255-1050

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