While hands-on art and design training from industry professionals is our focus at Academy of Art University, our graduates also gain a solid liberal arts education to support their creative skills. As you’re improving your skills and mastering your craft, liberal arts education classes will challenge you to think broadly about exciting new areas of study and larger social and ethical questions.

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

  • Take Academy course and earn a passing grade
  • Transfer in a comparable course from a previous post-secondary institution
  • Earn credit through: AP exam (4 or higher) and/or IB HL exam (5 or higher)
  • Waiver* through passing score on ACT, AICE, AP, CLEP, IB or SAT exam
  • Waiver* through passing score on Academy of Art University Placement Exam (available for the Practical Mathematics courses in the following majors only: Architecture, Game Programming, Landscape Architecture, Fashion Marketing, Fashion Merchandising & Fashion Product Development)

*Units from waived requirements must be made up with elective Liberal Arts course work.

All exam scores must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for review.
All degree programs include Liberal Arts requirements.

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.

NOTE: The Academy will award up to 12 units of Liberal Arts for Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of 4 or higher.*
NOTE: The Academy will award up to 12 units of Liberal Arts for International Baccalaureate (IB) High Level (HL) course work with a score of 5 or higher.*

*Applicable to students with a Spring 2023 start date or later.

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

  • Take the Academy course and earn a grade of C or higher
  • Transfer in a comparable course from a previous graduate institution
  • Waiver through demonstration of extensive undergraduate coursework in the subject area
  • All degree programs include Liberal Arts requirements.

Learn more about Graduate Liberal Arts Graduation Requirements.

Transfer of Coursework from a Previous Institution

Students who transfer in courses from a previous graduate school will be placed out of the corresponding Academy requirement and receive the appropriate unit credit for each course they transfer in. Please send your transcripts in early to allow for ample processing time. Transcripts received after the student’s first semester will not be reviewed for transfer credit.

The determination whether to give credit for previous studies is made by Academy of Art University. Credit is only transferred if Academy of Art University determines that courses taken at the previous institution are relevant to the student’s studies and independent Final Thesis Project. Academy of Art University takes the following factors into consideration in making this determination:

  • The course description published in the other institution’s materials
  • Number of credit hours awarded for the work done
  • The grade received in the course. Grades lower than a C will not be considered for transfer credit
  • The work generated by the student from the course

Students requesting to transfer credits must meet with an admissions representative within the first four weeks of their first semester to confirm the transfer of credits. The Articulation Office must receive all transcripts before the end of the student’s first semester of enrollment. Upon enrollment of the first semester, concurrent enrollment at any other institution is not allowed. The Academy will not transfer additional credits from another institution upon completion of the transfer evaluation.

Maximum Transfer Credits

A maximum of six credits from graduate studies at other institutions may be transferred for credit toward a Master’s degree.

Waiving Graduate Liberal Arts Requirements

Students may waive Graduate Liberal Arts requirements if they have extensive undergraduate coursework in that subject area. Students who wish to transfer in or waive Graduate Liberal Arts requirements must provide their advisor with a copy of their transcripts, course descriptions for courses to be considered and a cover letter. All documents must be in English.

Graduate courses are more intensive and focused than undergraduate courses. Unless students have taken specialized upper-divisional (advanced) courses covering the same topics of the Graduate Liberal Arts course they wish to waive, they will not be allowed to waive the Graduate Liberal Arts requirement. i.e. Introductory survey courses do not qualify.

NOTE: Students who waive out of a Graduate Liberal Arts requirement must select a substitute Graduate Liberal Arts elective replacement.

Art Historical Awareness and Aesthetic Sensitivity: To waive this requirement, students must demonstrate specialized coursework in both Art History and Philosophy/Aesthetic theory.

Cross-Cultural Understanding: To waive this requirement, students must demonstrate specialized coursework in COMPARATIVE culture studies and theory.

Professional Practices: To waive this requirement, students must have a business-related undergraduate degree or extensive Professional experience in their major field and supporting evidence including resume and copy of Business Plan or Grant Proposal.

Graduate Liberal Arts Electives: Electives are not eligible for waiver but may be transferred in.

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical Thinking and Analysis

  • Raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information and reach supported conclusions. Understand and define a problem or argument and address it using acquired knowledge.

Written Communication

  • Write with conciseness and clarity and apply the conventions of standard written English to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts.

Research and Retrieval of Information

  • Gather, identify, and apply relevant information and reference material in coursework.

Art Historical Awareness

  • Identify artwork from various periods and styles and make distinctions and connections among them through stylistic and cultural analysis. Analyze the ways art can affect and/or reflect cultural, political and humanistic issues and recognize how cultural context influences artistic development.

Historical Awareness

  • Develop and draw upon historical knowledge in order to analyze relevant historical and contemporary issue(s).

Cultural Ideas & Influences

  • Identify how cultural perspectives can affect interpretation of topics in the arts, politics or global relations.

Quantitative Literacy

  • Recognize, comprehend, and generate quantitative information in a variety of representational forms.

Employment Communications and Practices

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of current business practices by creating materials appropriate for seeking employment in the chosen field.

Oral Communication

  • Clearly present creative ideas and analytical information to a variety of audiences.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
  2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
  3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
  4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
  5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
  6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
  7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

What We Teach

Academy of Art University Liberal Arts Education courses strive to nurture the entire artist, and the Liberal Arts Education program is an integral component in this process. You’ll learn how to think in new ways, and gain the ability to find substantial things to think about.

Art History
The Academy celebrates the artistic traditions of the past and encourages emerging artists to situate themselves in this cultural continuum. The Art History sequence brings the great masterworks and their creators to life, engaging students both visually and critically.
English
Highly literate as visual communicators, artists must also be able to express their ideas through written and oral communication. Every artist, regardless of medium, is a storyteller. The Academy’s unique English series focuses not only on the fundamentals of writing, but also on the elements of narrative.
The Humanities and Sciences
In addition to these core sequence courses, students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Career Studies.
More
Our revolutionary online courses provide the same rigorous education that we offer on campus with greater flexibility. Our online programs are purpose-built to deliver art and design courses. Study on your own time, at your own pace. Combine online and on-site classes.

Start Your Career Now

Your dream is within reach. Follow your heart and get started on the career of your dreams.

A Sampling of Liberal Arts Education Courses

LA 128 – The Body As Art: History of Tattoo & Body Decoration
As one of the oldest art forms, tattoos provide personal, spiritual, and cultural expression. You’ll explore global traditions and contemporary techniques, styles, designs, and cultural meanings of "decorated skin."
LA 161 – Golden Section/Sacred Geometry
Ability to draw objects and figures in interior and exterior environments demonstrating fundamental understanding of proportions, value structure, form/cast shadows, and perspective techniques to effect realism when drawing from life and imagination.
LA 157 – The Genius of Appeal
What makes a film, TV show, animation, or video game appealing? To make your work more appealing, you’ll examine the means, methods, and principles of audience appeal in entertainment design and production.
LA 254 – Human-Centered Design
Design for humans. Using the science of ergonomics and Norman's design principles, you’ll learn to make products and design spaces that satisfy the physical, physiological, and psychological needs of consumers.
LA 255 – College Math
Artists and designers need basic math skills. You’ll study fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion, probability, units of measurement, algebra, and geometry for personal finance, accounting, and investing. NOTE: Place out options are available—ask your advisor.
LA 258 – Creative Perspectives in Sound Design 1
Studying motion pictures—from their inception through 1978—you’ll learn how sound design supports the aesthetic and narrative elements of the story. You’ll study the importance of sound design, the influence of technologies, and key historical figures in the history of soundtracks to improve your own creative works.
LA 197 – History of Comics: International and Alternative Comics
Go beyond superheroes. You’ll take a deep dive into the history of comics and graphic novels from the UK, Spain, France, Russian, and more. You’ll also analyze manga, manhwa, bande dessinée, and underground and alternative comics for style and content.
LA 130 – Broadway! The Evolution of the American Musical
Delving into major artistic styles from the early 20th century to the present, you’ll analyze musical theatre to better understand trends in pop culture, sociological milestones, and the American experience.

Undergraduate Liberal Arts Placement

Academy of Art University recognizes the scores listed below for Liberal Arts course placement.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam

ScorePlacement
4 or higherPlace out of the equivalent course
(Award 3 units for Liberal Arts Elective)

International Baccalaureates (IB) HL Exam

ScorePlacement
5 or higherPlace out of the equivalent course
(Award 3 units for Liberal Arts Elective)

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in English Language/Composition or Literature/Composition

ScorePlacement
3Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
4Award 3 units and place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
5Award 6 units and place out of LA 108 and LA 202

International Baccalaureates (IB) HL Exam in English Composition

ScorePlacement
4Place out of LA 108 and into LA 202
5 or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202
(Award 3 units for LA 108)

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

SAT II (Writing Subject Test)
ScorePlacement
660 or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202
SAT I (Written) exam before April 1995
ScorePlacement
510 or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202
SAT I (Written) after April 1995
ScorePlacement
590 or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) AS & A Level Exams

AS Level Exam in English Language
ScorePlacement
E or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202

A Level Exam in English Language
ScorePlacement
E or higherPlace out of LA 108 and LA 202

A Level Exam in English Literature
ScorePlacement
E or higherPlace out of LA 108 and into LA 202

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam

ScorePlacement
3Place out of the equivalent course
4 or higherAward 3 units for Art History, Historical Awareness or Cultural Ideas and Influences

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) AS & A Level Exams

ScorePlacement
E or higherPlace out of the equivalent course

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

American Government, History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877, History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present, Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648, or Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
ScorePlacement
50 or higherPlace out of the equivalent course

International Baccalaureates (IB) HL Exam
(IB) Exam in a Specific Subject Area (except in Art History)

ScorePlacement
5 or higherPlace out of the equivalent course
(Award 3 units for Historical Awareness or Cultural Ideas and Influences)

Employment Communications and Practices

Students with Career Planning coursework should submit transcripts to The Office of The Registrar. Submit Official Transcript(s) by mail or by email: Transcripts@academyart.edu. Students with professional experience wishing to be considered for waiver from LA 291 Designing Careers should submit supporting documentation documents with a waiver request using the Student Submissions Portal. The Student Submissions Portal link and login information can be obtained from an advisor.

Transfer Options
Transfer in a comparable Career Planning course that covered all of the following areas:

  • Career research
  • Research methods for employment opportunities
  • Employment correspondence documents
  • Employment interview techniques

Waiver/Substitution Options
Request consideration for waiver from LA 291 Designing Careers by submitting transcripts and/or supporting documentation that demonstrates one of the following:

  • Completion of an Associate’s Degree in which the degree included at least one career preparation, business practices, or a major specific professional practices course
  • Completion of more than 60 college credits in which the coursework included at least one career preparation, business practices, business law, senior thesis, or a major specific professional practices course
  • Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree

Industry experience with a project proposal demonstrating the criteria below.

Industry Experience

Criteria Students with less than 5 years of management and/or industry experience submit:

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

Students with 5 years or more of industry experience may submit:

  1. Professional resume (clearly indicating 5 years or more of industry experience)
  2. Cover or Query letter addressed to a specific party
  3. Project proposal* with the following components:
    • Background/Problem Description
    • Proposed Solution
    • Approach
    • Deliverables
    • Outcome

*May be for a project completed as part of industry experience. If citing a past project, include your role in the project.

Waiver/Substitutions
NOTE: A waived course must be substituted with another course. Students who place out of LA 291 will have the Employment Communications requirement waived but must make up the units with either a substitute Academy of Art University Liberal Arts course, or a general education transfer course as determined by the Registrar.

American College Test (ACT)

Completion of ACT Level I or II
ScorePlacement
PassARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising,
& FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255
PassAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
ACT Exam
ScorePlacement
28 or higherARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising,
& FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255
28 or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam

AP Exam in Calculus AB or BC or Statistics or Computer Science A
AP Exam in Calculus AB or BC or Statistics
ScorePlacement
3LAN students: Place out of LA 255 and LA 271
3ARH students: Place out of LA 255 and LA 271 and into LA 293
3All other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
4 or higherLAN students: Award 6 units and place out of LA 255 and LA 271
4 or higherARH students: Award 6 units and place out of LA 255 and LA 271 and into LA 293
4 or higherAll other majors: Place out of Quantitative Literacy Requirements
AP Exam in Computer Science A
ScorePlacement
3GAP students: Place out of LA 255, LA 271 and LA 286 and into LA 288
4 or higherGAP students: Award 6 units and place out of LA 255, LA 271 and LA 286 and into LA 288

College-Level Examination Program

CLEPScorePlacement
College Mathematics
50 or higher• ARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255

• All other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

CLEPScorePlacement
College Algebra
Precalculus
Calculus
50 or higher• ARH, GAP, & LAN students place out of LA 255 and LA 271

• FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255

• All other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

International Baccalaureates (IB) Exam

(IB) HL Exam in Mathematics
ScorePlacement
4ARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255
4All other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
5 or higherARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students place out of LA 255
(Award 3 units for Practical Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy)
5 or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
(Award 3 units for Practical Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy)

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

SAT I (Mathematics)
ScorePlacement
500 or higherARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students out of LA 255
500 or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

SAT II Mathematics Subject Examination (Mathematics Achievement Test)
ScorePlacement
500 or higherARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students out of LA 255
500 or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement
600 or higherARH, GAP, & LAN students place out of LA 255 and LA271

Academy of Art University Quantitative Literacy Placement Exam (ARH, GAP, LAN, FSH-Marketing, FSH-Merchandising, and FSH-Product Development majors only)

ScorePlacement
100 - 199ARH, GAP, LAN, FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students: place into the Fundamental Math Requirement (LA255 College Math)
200 - 299ARH, GAP & LAN students: place out of the Fundamental Math Requirement (LA255 College Math) and into the Applied Math Requirement (LA271 College Algebra with Geometry)
FSH Marketing, FSH Merchandising, & FSH Product Development students: Math Requirement satisfied
300 - 399ARH students: place out of both the Fundamental Math Requirement (LA255 College Math) and the Applied Math Requirement (LA271 College Algebra with Geometry) and into the Advanced Math Requirement (LA293 Precalculus)
GAP students: place out of both the Fundamental Math Requirement (LA255 College Math) and the Applied Math Requirement (LA271 College Algebra with Geometry) and into the Advanced Math Requirement (LA286 Discrete Mathematics)
LAN students: place out of all math requirements. (LA255, LA271)
400 - 499ARH students: place out of all math requirements. (LA255, LA271, LA293)
GAP students: place out of the Fundamental Math Requirement (LA255 College Math), the Applied Math Requirement (LA271 College Algebra with Geometry), the Advanced Math Requirement (LA286 Discrete Mathematics), and into the 3D Math Requirement (LA288 Vector, Matrices, and Transformations)
500 - 599GAP students: place out of all math requirements. (LA255, LA271, LA286, LA288)
NotesStudents with a score of 200 or more have satisfied the prerequisite for LA271 College Algebra with Geometry
Students with a score of 300 or more have satisfied the prerequisite for LA286 Discrete Mathematic and LA293 Precalculus
Students with a score of 400 or more have satisfied the prerequisite for LA288 Vector, Matrices, and Transformations

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) AS & A Level Exams

AS Level or A Level Exams in Mathematics
ScorePlacement
E or higherARH, GAP, and LAN students place out of LA 255 and LA271
E or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

AS Level or A Level Exams in Mathematics - Further
ScorePlacement
E or higherARH students place out of LA 255, 271, and LA293
E or higherGAP and LAN students place out of LA 255 and LA271
E or higherAll other majors: Place out the Quantitative Literacy Requirement

How to Schedule an Academy of Art University Placement Exam: Exams are offered several times a semester on the Academy of Art University Campus. Call the Liberal Arts Department 1-415-618-3664 to schedule an appointment.

Exams are by appointment (No drop-ins). View the Exam Schedule.

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

NOTE: Other exam subject areas may be considered. Contact the LA Department for applicable exams

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