Transferring to the CalArts School of Art
In order to facilitate transfer of qualified art and photography students from Rio Hondo College into School of Art Program in Art and Program in Photography and Media Program at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Rio Hondo College 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 General Education/Critical Studies requirements and the equivalent admissible portfolio. CalArts will waive the application fee for Rio Hondo College students wishing to transfer to CalArts.
This agreement does not guarantee admission to CalArts. However, faculty from Rio Hondo College and CalArts will review the portfolios of students pursuing the AA or ADT in Art or Photography and arrange campus visits and information sessions in order to guide those students to successfully transfer into CalArts. There will be ongoing cooperation between the CalArts and Rio Hondo College faculty to ensure students are on track to transfer to CalArts. The goal is to prepare students to transfer at the BFA3 (junior standing) level. Year level placement is at the discretion of the CalArts faculty upon admission.
Applicants from Rio Hondo College will need 60 units of baccalaureate level work to transfer into CalArts as a BFA3-1 student (aka: junior standing), including 22 units of Critical Studies (aka: general education) units. Rio Hondo College students are advised to consult the following general education transfer map to determine how specific general education courses may apply to the CalArts Critical Studies requirements. Also included is a métier (aka: major) course transfer map which students may refer to for information regarding courses in art and photography. The courses listed in that guide are recommended but not required for Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo College 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 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.
Critical Studies recommended courses
Students from Rio Hondo College will need the equivalent of 22 General Education/Critical Studies units –including one course from each Breadth Requirement Area *** plus Optional Breadth Courses**, and electives *
| CalArts Critical Studies Category | Units | Suggested Rio Hondo Course courses |
|---|---|---|
Cultural Studies *** (CST) | 3 |
|
Humanities *** (HMN) | 3 |
|
Science and Math *** (SCM) | 3 |
|
Social Science *** (SOC) | 3 |
|
Arts in Context** (AIC) | 3 |
|
Creative Writing ** (CRW) | 3 | ENGL 101, 201/201H, 131, 231, LIT 141 |
Computing and Research ** (COM) | 3 | ** Optional Critical Studies Breadth courses |
| CS Elective * | 3 |
|
Program in Art
The following matrix indicates equivalencies for School of Art Program in Art requirements only. Transfer credit against School of Art program requirements must be assessed separately by transcript review at matriculation.
| CalArts Program in Art | Units | Recommended Rio Hondo Art Courses to Transfer |
|---|---|---|
One class each semester from the Studio Series (below) toward the required 8 units of studio courses:
| 3 |
|
| We also expect students to look beyond their chosen art discipline. All students must take at least two units outside of the School of Art. | 3 | Two courses in another art form |
Photography and Media
| CalArts Program in Photography & Media | Units | Recommended Rio Hondo Art/Photography Courses to Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| New Lab (2) | 3 | PHTO 130 (Beginning Photography) |
| Introduction to Analog (2) | 3 | PHTO 131 (Intermediate Photography) |
| Technical Workshops (Studio) | 3 | PHTO 140- Introduction to Lighting (in approval process at RH) |
| Technical Workshops (Digital Imaging) | 3 |
|
| Topics in Photographic History | 3 | See arts in context recommended courses above in general education/critical studies transfer map |
| Elective (Highly recommended) | 3 |
|
| 2 classes in another artistic discipline (music, dance, film/video, theater, creative writing) | 6 | Two classes in any other art form |
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