Admissions

Transfer Students

Three people work together on a screen printing project in a craft room.

Is Your Current School Holding You Back?

Are you stuck taking general education classes before you can start the art and design courses you really want?

At the Academy, you’ll start in art and design classes from day one. And you can transfer here at any point in your educational journey.

Already have an associate degree but need a stronger portfolio to compete in your field? Enroll in our BFA programs and graduate with a career-ready portfolio.

Not looking for a degree? Join our UpSkill program. You’ll take the same classes as degree-seeking students, learn from the same faculty, and sharpen your skills at your own pace.

Want to brush up on techniques or explore new tools like AI? Take a class or two—no commitment required.

At the Academy, your time goes directly into your craft.

Transfer Scholarship

Academy of Art University offers scholarships to qualified students who are transferring to the Academy from other accredited institutions.

Eligibility

To qualify for an Academy Transfer Scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must have attended another college or university, and have completed at least 1 semester at a United States based college or university (i.e. NOT Academy of Art University)
  • Meet the Academy’s admission requirements for Undergraduate or Graduate programs:
    • Completion of a Career Planning Session (CPS) with an Undergraduate Admissions Specialist
    • Submission of an official high school transcript or official GED
    • Submission of an official college transcript
  • Must enroll in a degree-seeking program, be continuously enrolled every Fall and Spring semester, and take at least six units per semester

Award Amount

Transfer scholarships from the Academy are available up to a maximum amount of $10,000 USD. The award is divided evenly across 8 semesters ($1,250/ per semester). You must take at least six units each semester.

Application Process

Scholarship will be applied once you have met all of the admissions requirements:

Apply Now
Student Designing

Art & Design: The Academy Way

  • Hands-on, project-based learning
  • Cutting edge technology
  • AI skills integrated as a tool in curriculum
  • On-campus, online, and virtual classes
  • Working professionals as your instructors
  • Collaborative classes with real-world industry partners
  • Leave with a portfolio of career-ready work
Connect With An Advisor
Two people in fashionable clothing stand in front of car design concept images and models.

International Student Transfers

The Academy accepts transfer students from across the globe. Our graduate and undergraduate programs host students from over 100 countries who study art and design on campus or online.

International students in any of our 14 STEM Programs also have the opportunity to enroll in three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

Contact one of our dedicated International Admissions Specialists to find out more.

International Admissions
STEM + Arts = STEAM

How Credits Get Transferred

If you are transferring from a California school, check out one of our transfer guides or reach out to one of our Admissions Specialists. An Admissions Specialist can evaluate your coursework from any accredited college or university that uses the same (or similar) credit system as Academy of Art University. Applicable transfer credits must be completed with an equivalent grade of “C” or above.

Liberal Arts Waivers
You may be able to meet certain liberal arts requirements through placement exams and waiver options for written communication, quantitative literacy, art history and appreciation, historical awareness, and comparative ideas and influences.

California Schools Transfer Guides
People discussing art and design at Academy of Art University campus.

Explore Online Learning At The Academy

Our online programs are tailored to your needs and lifestyle choices. We offer both asynchronous (study on your schedule with no traditional classroom participation) or Zoom/virtual online classes where you participate in class at a set time “live” with other students who are on campus in San Francisco.

Student studying online

Traditional Online Courses

Student studying online

Traditional Online Courses

Asynchronous learning is all about flexibility. Asynchronous courses are a mix of video lecture content, written content, recorded audio, interactive slideshows, virtual libraries, exchanges across discussion boards or social media platforms, and hands-on work. You will complete one module a week and upload your work for critique.
Student learning online

Virtual Online Courses (via Zoom)

Student learning online

Virtual Online Courses (via Zoom)

You will attend our regularly scheduled on-campus courses from wherever you are in the world via Zoom in real time, learning alongside on-campus students. You will be a welcome participant in all classroom projects and team assignments. Best of all, your work will be critiqued by your classmates and instructors just as if you were an on-campus student.

Academy Facilities

Our workshops and classrooms are filled with the latest equipment and technology. Gain hands-on experience with the professional tools used in your industry. With an eye to emerging industry trends, we update our facilities regularly.

DISCOVER OUR FACILITIES

    Person wearing a headset playing a video game on a large screen in a gaming arcade.

    Game Lounge

    Crew filming a scene in a living room with an elderly woman on a sofa.

    Sound Stages

    Two women working with woodworking equipment in a workshop, wearing protective goggles.

    Wood Shop

    Worker wearing safety gear welding metal with sparks flying in a factory setting.

    Metal Shop

    Two women working with 3D printers, one operating the machine, the other observing and holding a clipboard.

    3D Printers

    Staff assisting customers with golf bags and accessories in a sporting goods store.

    Camera CheckOut Room

    Computer Labs

    rLAB

    Our rLAB gives students access to high-end graphics workstations without needing expensive hardware or software. From any device with a basic internet connection, you can use professional software, GPUs, and network storage remotely. With 24/7 access through our broker checkout system, you can work anytime from anywhere.

    A woman wears headphones and paints a realistic portrait on a canvas in her art studio.

    Fine Art Painting

    Industry Collaborations

    The Academy partners with industry-leading companies, filmmakers, and manufacturers such as GM, Adidas, Jeep, Hasbro, Audi, Pininfarina, Jaguar, NASA, Camelbak, and Volvo, to offer our students exposure to working professionals and to create valuable networking opportunities.

    In our cross-disciplinary collaborative classes work on real-world, industry-supplied design briefs to create concepts for the industry sponsor. You will have the opportunity to work with representatives from our corporate and agency sponsors in small collaborative teams. These classes are designed to maximize individual recognition, build portfolios, and create employment opportunities for you and your fellow students.

    Transfer industry logos

    Transfer Policies

    • Academy of Art University will accept unofficial transcripts to evaluate transfer credit eligibility.
    • Transfer evaluations are based on the current transfer policies during the student’s semester of admission and will be binding for the student’s entire matriculation at Academy of Art University. Subsequent evaluations are not permitted unless the student changes his or her degree program (e.g. from an Associate of Arts degree to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree).
    • Coursework from accredited post-secondary institutions will be considered for transfer if it is determined to carry equivalent credit, prerequisites, content, and level of instruction. Remedial or pre-college courses are not eligible for transfer.
    • Coursework presented for transfer must be successfully completed with a letter grade of “C” or above or a grade of “pass” in a pass/fail course. NOTE: Grades of transferred courses are not factored into the G.P.A. The Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is calculated using only units attempted at Academy of Art University.
    • Units completed at another institution after the student has started a degree program or any degree eligible classes at Academy of Art University will not be considered for transfer unless the student is active-duty military.
    • The deadline for submission of all official and unofficial transcripts is prior to the end of the student’s first degree seeking semester. Courses may only be transferred from transcripts received by the deadline, unless the student is active-duty military, a veteran, or utilizing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits.

    • Transcripts and/or diplomas must be received by the start of the student’s first semester at Academy of Art University.

      Undergraduate students who fail to submit proof of High School graduation and/or conferral of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the start of their first semester will not be allowed to enroll for subsequent terms until proof of graduation has been received by the Office of the Registrar.

      Graduate degree seeking students who fail to submit proof of conferral of a Bachelor’s degree by the start of their first semester will not be allowed to enroll for subsequent terms until proof of graduation has been received by the Office of the Registrar.

      Transfer evaluation transcripts must be submitted by the end of the student’s first semester. Transfer evaluations are conducted during the student’s first semester and are considered final. Transfer credit will not be awarded after the end of the student’s first semester. Any appeals must be presented to Office of the Registrar Transfer Office by the end of the first semester.

    • Students may place into a course by demonstrating necessary knowledge and skill level. Major course placement is determined by a portfolio review conducted by the Department Director. Students who place out of a required course will have that requirement waived but must make up the units with a substitute Academy of Art University course which may be determined at a later date.

      Detailed instructions for portfolio submissions are provided by the Admissions Office. Portfolios may be submitted digitally. Physical portfolios of original work are also accepted. Applicants are responsible for picking up portfolios or reels in person or to have them returned via US Postal Service. Only portfolios/reels with prepaid return postage will be returned via US Postal Service. Portfolios or reels that are unclaimed or returned due to incorrect address or inadequate postage will be retained on campus for approximately 90 days. Although every precaution is taken to protect portfolios and reels, Academy of Art University cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of portfolios or reels either in transit or on campus for review.

      Undergraduate Degrees

      • Liberal Arts courses: All degree programs have unique Liberal Arts requirements. Courses that cannot be applied toward a degree will not be transferred.
      • Major courses: A portfolio review is required to determine if courses may be transferred toward the major.

    • Students seeking a degree must complete a minimum of 50% of required units at Academy of Art University to satisfy the undergraduate residency requirement.

    • Academy of Art University awards credit for the following tests:

      • Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of 3 or higher
      • British A-level with a grade of C or Higher
      • British AS-level with a grade of C or Higher
      • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit score of 50 or higher
      • International Baccalaureate (IB) HL exams with a score of 5 or higher

      View specific tests for respective course credit.

    • Academy of Art University uses scores for Mathematics placement from the following tests:

      • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Credit Policy
      • ACT

      View specific tests for respective course placement.

    Take the Next Step




    Please enter numbers only





    By submitting this form, I give express written consent to receive communications about educational opportunities from or on behalf of ArtU via email, text message, OTT app messages (e.g., WhatsApp), and/or phone calls (including mobile and automated/pre-recorded messages) at the contact information I provided. I understand that:
    • Standard text and/or usage rates may apply.
    • My consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services or completing any application.
    • I may opt out of communications from Academy of Art University or its vendors by emailing Unsubscribe@academyart.edu or using the opt-out options provided in the communications.