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California Institute of the Arts

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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
  • NEW Creative Computing

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)
  • CalArts at The Reef

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

Community College Transfer Pathways Menu

  1. Bakersfield College
  2. College of the Canyons (COC)
  3. Glendale Community College
  4. Los Angeles City College (LACC)
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  6. Rio Hondo College
  7. Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)
  8. Santa Monica College (SMC)
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  1. Home
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  3. Transfer Applicants
  4. Community College Transfer Pathways
  5. Los Angeles City College (LACC)

Los Angeles City College (LACC) Transfer Agreement

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PATHWAYS

Community College Transfer Pathways

  1. Bakersfield College
  2. College of the Canyons (COC)
  3. Glendale Community College
  4. Los Angeles City College (LACC)
  5. Moorpark College
  6. Rio Hondo College
  7. Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)
  8. Santa Monica College (SMC)

Transferring to the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts (HASOM)

In order to facilitate transfer of qualified students from the Herb Alpert Music Center’s Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) program at Los Angeles City College (LACC) into the Herb Alpert School of Music BFA program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), LACC and CalArts agree to enter into the following transfer agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, CalArts will give priority consideration to LACC applicants will waive the application fee.

This agreement does not guarantee admission to CalArts.  However, faculty from LACC and CalArts will review auditions and portfolios of students pursuing the AA-T in Music in order to identify those who are most likely to successfully transfer into CalArts. There will be ongoing communication between the two faculties about the progress of the students in the AA-T in Music program to ensure they are on track to transfer to CalArts.

Applicants from LACC will need 60 units of undergraduate level work to transfer into CalArts as a BFA3-1 student (aka: junior standing), including 22 units of Critical Studies (aka: general education) units. LACC students are advised to consult the following general education transfer guide to determine how specific general education courses may apply to the CalArts Critical Studies requirements. Also included is a métier (aka: major) course transfer guide which students may refer to for information regarding courses in music theory & skills, keyboard training, stylistic breadth. The courses listed in that guide are recommended but not required for LACC students preparing to transfer to CalArts.

LACC students should note that all incoming CalArts Music students must complete the CalArts Music Theory & Skills Placement Examinations during Orientation week. Course placement within the métier is determined by the proficiency demonstrated on these exams, regardless of the specific courses or overall units transferred. We advise that students should be able to demonstrate proficiency at least commensurate with CalArts MTHY-102, Practical Musicianship B, and MTHY-112, Tonal Theory B. At CalArts these are nominally freshman courses, and if incoming BFA3 students can’t place beyond this level then degree completion in 4 semesters may be jeopardized.

These transfer Guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of CalArts. CalArts reserves the right to make changes or updates to this agreement at any time. Degree requirements will be determined by the catalog requirements in place at the time students.

Transferring to CalArts School of Art

In order to facilitate transfer of qualified students from the Los Angeles Community College (LACC) Photography Department into the School of Art BFA Photography & Media program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), LACC and CalArts agree to enter into the following transfer agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, CalArts will give priority consideration to applicants who have successfully completed the LACC transfer track or equivalent admissible portfolio and will waive the application fee.

This agreement does not guarantee admission to CalArts.  However, faculty from LACC and CalArts will review the portfolios of students pursuing the photography program at LACC in order to identify those who are most likely to successfully transfer into CalArts. There will be ongoing cooperation between the CalArts and LACC photography faculty to ensure students are on track to transfer to CalArts. While the transfer agreement does not guarantee admission into CalArts, it does provide priority consideration and personal guidance for transferring students.

Applicants from LACC will need 60 units of undergraduate level work to transfer into CalArts as a BFA3-1 student (aka: junior standing), including 22 units of Critical Studies (aka: general education) units. LACC students are advised to consult the following general education transfer guide to determine how specific general education courses may apply to the CalArts Critical Studies requirements. Also included is a métier (aka: major) course transfer guide which students may refer to for information regarding courses in Photography/Media.

The courses listed in that guide are recommended but not required for LACC students preparing to transfer to CalArts. LACC students should be aware that CalArts Photography & Media BFA3 students are expected to have a mid-residency exhibition in the first semester of the BFA3 year and should prepare the year prior to transferring.

These transfer Guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of CalArts. CalArts reserves the right to make changes or updates to this agreement at any time. Degree requirements will be determined by the catalog requirements in place at the time students are admitted to and matriculated into CalArts.

Transferring to CalArts School of Theater

In order to facilitate transfer of qualified students from the Los Angeles Community College (LACC) Theater Design & Production tracks into the School of Theater BFA Experience Design & Production programs at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), LACC and CalArts agree to enter into the following transfer agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, CalArts will give priority consideration to applicants who have successfully completed the LACC transfer courses or equivalent admissible portfolio and will waive the application fee.

This agreement does not guarantee admission to CalArts. However, faculty from LACC and CalArts will review the portfolios of students pursuing the Theater Design and Production courses at LACC in order to identify those who are most likely to successfully transfer into CalArts. There will be ongoing cooperation between the CalArts and LACC Theater faculty to ensure students are on track to transfer to CalArts.

Applicants from LACC will need 60 units of undergraduate level work to transfer into CalArts as a BFA3-1 student (aka: junior standing), including 22 units of Critical Studies (aka: general education) units. LACC students are advised to consult the following general education transfer guide to determine how specific general education courses may apply to the CalArts Critical Studies requirements. Also included is a métier (aka: major) course transfer guide which students may refer to for information regarding courses in Experience Design and Production. School of Theater. The courses listed in that guide are recommended but not required for LACC students preparing to transfer to CalArts.

These transfer Guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of CalArts. CalArts reserves the right to make changes or updates to this agreement at any time. Degree requirements will be determined by the catalog requirements in place at the time students are admitted to and matriculated into CalArts.

Transfer map

Applicants from LACC need 60 units of undergraduate level work to transfer into CalArts at a BFA3-1 (i.e., junior year) level, including 22 units of General Education / Critical Studies courses.

Critical Studies recommended courses

CRITICAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS AT CALARTS: A total of 46 Critical Studies units are required for a BFA from CalArts. Students must complete a minimum of 8 units in residence at CalArts from among the following CalArts categories: COM, CRW, CST, HMN, SCM or SOC.

CalArts Critical Studies Category Recommended LACC Courses

Critical and Intellectual Skills

(CIS)

3 UnitsENGLISH 101, ENGLISH 102, ENGLISH 103

Cultural Studies

(CST)

3 UnitsAFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES 7, ANTHROPOLOGY 151, CHICANO STUDIES 8, HISTORY 73, SOCIOLOGY 11, SOCIOLOGY 31, TELEVISION 1

Humanities

(HMN)

& Music Métier Breadth

3 UnitsAFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES 20, ENGLISH 203, ENGLISH 212, ENGLISH 214, ENGLISH 219, ENGLISH 239, ENGLISH 255, ENGLISH 270, HUMANITIES 61, PHILOSOPHY 1, PHILOSOPHY 14, PHILOSOPHY 30, PHILOSOPHY 40

Science and Math

(SCM)

3 UnitsANTHROPOLOGY 101, ANTHROPOLOGY 103, ASTRONOMY 11, BIOLOGY 3, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1, MATHEMATICS 230, PHYSICAL SCIENCE 10

Social Science

(SOC)

3 UnitsANTHROPOLOGY 102, ECONOMICS 1, HISTORY 11, HISTORY 12, HISTORY 13, LINGUISTICS 1, POLITICAL SCIENCE 5, POLITICAL SCIENCE 19, PSYCHOLOGY 1, PSYCHOLOGY 52
CS Elective & Music History3 UnitsMUSIC 121
CS Elective & Music History3 UnitsMUSIC 122
CS Elective & Music History3 UnitsMUSIC 116, MUSIC 135, MUSIC 136

CSU and/or UC Transferable courses from a California Community College are eligible for transfer upon review by the Office of the Registrar.  Some other liberal arts courses may also transfer to CalArts as Critical Studies. Please see the general transfer credit guide on the website here

THE HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT CALARTS

Students arriving from LACC will write CalArts Music Theory & Skills Placement Examinations during Orientation week. We advise that students should be able to demonstrate proficiency at least commensurate with CalArts MTHY-102, Practical Musicianship B, and MTHY-112, Tonal Theory B. At CalArts these are nominally freshman courses, and if incoming BFA3 students can’t place beyond this level then degree completion in 4 semesters may be jeopardized.

The following courses are recommended but not required for LACC students preparing to transfer to CalArts.

CalArts CategoryRecommended LACC Courses
1 OF 2 CALARTS’ CORE “PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT” REQUIREMENTS)MUSIC 137
2 CALARTS’ CORE “MAKING ORIGINAL WORK“ REQUIREMENTSTWO OF MUSIC 224, MUSIC 231, MUSIC 271
SUGGESTED FOR CALARTS’ COMPOSITION, PERFORMER-COMPOSER & MAP PROGRAMSMUSIC 231 AND MUSIC 221

** Please note that LACC MUSIC 111 and MUSIC 141 are music appreciation courses, and that CalArts does NOT accept music appreciation courses to satisfy Music program requirements.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA

The following photography courses are recommended to help LACC students prepare their application portfolios and will help in year-level placement at the discretion of CalArts faculty when making admissions decisions.

Photography And MediaUnitsRecommended LACC Photography Courses
Beginning Analog Photography3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 010 Beginning Photography
6 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 001 Elementary Photography – 4 x 5 and medium format black and white
3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 015 Fundamentals of Portraiture
3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 050 Specialty fields (portfolio class with written components)
Technical Workshops (Digital)3 units

PHOTOGRAPHY 501 Media Aesthetics & Design for Film & Digital Media

 

3 units

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY 007 Exploring Digital Photography
3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 107 Intermediate Digital Photography
Optional/ acceptable to transfer3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 46 (Introduction to Photoshop)
Optional/ acceptable to transfer3 unitsPHOTOGRAPHY 22 Creative Photo Vision

EXPERIENCE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

The following theater and art courses are recommended to help LACC students prepare their application portfolios and will help in year-level placement at the discretion of CalArts faculty when making admissions decisions.

THEATER – EXPERIENCE DESIGN AND PRODUCTIONUnitsRecommended LACC THEATER TECHNICAL DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Courses to Transfer
Costume Design (BFA)3 unitsTHEATER100 (INTRODUCTION TO THEATER),
3 unitsTHEATER 300 (INTRODUCTION TO STAGE CRAFT), OR 335-2 APPLIED STAGE MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION II,
3 unitsTHEATER 425-1 (APPLIED COSTUME DESIGN FOR THE THEATER I)
3 unitsTHEATER 425-2 (APPLIED COSTUME DESIGN FOR THE THEATER II)

3 units

 

 

THEATER 425-3 APPLIED COSTUMING FOR THE THEATER III
1 unitTHEATER 262-1 OR THEATER 262-2 SPECIAL PROJECTS 1 (COULD POSSIBLY BE A COLLABORATION WITH CALARTS)
Optional/ acceptable to transfer3 unitsLIFE DRAWING: ART 204, 205, 206
Optional/ acceptable to transfer3 unitsTHEATER 411 (COSTUMING FOR THEATER), 415 (COSTUME DESIGN FOR THEATER), THEATER 416 (MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR THE COSTUMER), THEATER 338 (INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN, THEATER, FILM AND TV

 

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