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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
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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

Transfer Applicants Menu

  1. Transfer Credits
  2. Residency Requirements
  3. Community College Transfer Pathways
  • Events
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  1. Home
  2. Admissions
  3. Transfer Applicants
  4. Residency Requirements

Transfer Residency Requirements

Transfer Applicants

Transfer Applicants

  1. Transfer Credits
  2. Residency Requirements
  3. Community College Transfer Pathways

After transferring to CalArts, students must meet certain residency requirements, ensuring they integrate fully into our artistic community.

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

 BFAMFACert.Adv. 
Cert.
Art
All Programs1212
Integrated Media in all programsn/a2*n/a2*
Critical Studies
Writingn/a2n/a2
Integrated Media in Writingn/a2n/a2
Interschool Writingn/a2n/a2
Dance
Dance2212
Integrated Media in Dancen/a2n/a2
Film/Video
Program in Film and Video2222
Integrated Media in Film and Videon/a2n/a2
Experimental Animation2222
Integrated Media in Experimental Animationn/a2n/a2
Character Animation2n/a2n/a
Film Directing Programn/a3n/a3
Music
All programs1111
Integrated Media in Composition: New Median/a2n/a2
Theater
Acting3333
Directingn/a2n/a2
Integrated Media in Directingn/a2n/a2
Design and Production2212
Integrated Media in Design and Productionn/a2n/a2
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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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