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 official transcripts of all of your previous college work. If you have not obtained an AA or BA degree, you must also submit official 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 Credit: 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.
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.