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Liberal Arts

Meeting Liberal Arts Requirements

Liberal Arts Program Requirements can be met in the following ways:

  • Take the Academy course and earn a passing grade
  • Transfer in a comparable course from a previous post secondary institution
  • Waiver through passing score on Academy Placement Exam
  • Waiver through passing score on AP, IB or SAT exam

Transfer of Coursework from a Previous Institution:

Students transferring courses from a previous college or university will be placed out of the corresponding Academy degree requirement and receive the appropriate unit credit for each course transferred. Official transcripts should be sent as early as possible to allow for ample processing time. Transcripts received after a student’s first semester or unofficial transcripts will not be reviewed for transfer credit.

Placement Exam and Waiver Options

NOTE: Students who place out of a required course via the Academy of Art University Placement Exam, AP, IB, or SAT will have that requirement waived but must make up the units with a Liberal Arts elective.

Written Communication

Academy of Art University Written Communications Placement Exam
SCORE PLACEMENT
1 or 2 Place into LA 108
3 or 4 Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
5 or 6 Place out of both LA 108 and LA 202 and into LA 110
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in English Composition
SCORE PLACEMENT
3 or higher Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
International Baccalaureates Exam (IB) Exam in English Composition
SCORE PLACEMENT
5 or higher Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
SAT II (Writing Subject Test)
SCORE PLACEMENT
660 or higher Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
SAT I (Written) exam before April 1995
SCORE PLACEMENT
510 or higher Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
SAT I (Written) after April 1995
SCORE PLACEMENT
590 or higher Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202

Quantitative Literacy / Math for Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Academy of Art University Quantitative Literacy Placement Exam
[All majors except Architecture & Landscape Architecture]
SCORE PLACEMENT
69 or lower Place into the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
70 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
Academy of Art University Math for Environmental Design Exam
[Architecture and Landscape Architecture Only]
SCORE PLACEMENT
1 place into LA255
2 place out of LA255 and into LA256
3 place out of both LA255 and LA256
Academy of Art University Advanced Math
[Architecture and Landscape Architecture Only]
SCORE PLACEMENT
2 place out of LA255 and into LA256
3 place out of both LA255 and LA256
American College Test (ACT)
Completion of ACT Level I or II
SCORE PLACEMENT
Pass Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
Pass ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256
ACT Exam
SCORE PLACEMENT
28 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
28 or higher ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256
Advanced Placement Exam (AP)
AP Exam in Calculus AB or BC or Statistics or Computer Science AB
SCORE PLACEMENT
3 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
3 or higher ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256
International Baccalaureates Exam (IB)
(IB) Exam in Mathematics
SCORE PLACEMENT
5 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
5 or higher ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
SAT II Mathematics Subject Examination (Mathematics Achievement Test)
SCORE PLACEMENT
500 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
500 or higher ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256
SAT I (Mathematics)
SCORE PLACEMENT
600 or higher Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
600 or higher ARH & LAN students place out of LA 255 and into LA 256

Art History, Historical Awareness and Cultural Ideas and Influences

Advanced Placement Exam (AP)
SCORE PLACEMENT
3 or higher Place out of the equivalent course
International Baccalaureates Exam (IB)
SCORE PLACEMENT
5 or higher Place out of the equivalent course

Employment Communications and Practices

Students with professional experience in their field wishing to be considered for waiver from LA291 should submit the following documents with a waiver request to the Liberal Arts Office:

  • Professional resume
  • Cover or Query letter addressed to a specific party 
  • Unsolicited business proposal with the following components:
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Background
    • Procedures
    • Qualification
    • Request for Approval

How to Schedule an Academy of Art University Placement Exam:

Exams are offered once a week on the AAU Campus. Call the Liberal Arts Department 415.618.3664 to schedule an appointment. Exams are by appointment (No drop-ins).

Online Students: call or e-mail liberalarts@academyart.edu for information on how to take the exam in your area.

Upcoming English and Quantitative Placement exams on the AAU campus:

Placement Exam Dates During January 2012

  • January 11, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • January 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • January 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)

Placement Exam Dates During Spring 2012

  • February 10, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • February 15, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • February 24, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • February 29, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • March 9, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • March 14, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • March 23, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. At 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • March 28, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • April 6, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • No Placement Exam Scheduled During Spring Break
  • April 18, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • April 27, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)
  • May 11, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Friday)
  • May 16, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at 491 Post Street, Room B72 (Wednesday)

Exams are by appointment (No drop-ins).

Please contact the Liberal Arts Department (415) 618-3664 or email liberalarts@academyart.edu to reserve a seat.
Academy of Art University - Liberal Arts
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