Admissions

Transfer Students

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 hold an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from a different accredited institution (i.e. NOT Academy of Art University)
  • Meet the Academy’s admission requirements:
    • 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 AA/AS/AAS transcript
  • Must work towards a bachelor’s degree, 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:

  • Completion of the CPS
  • Official high school transcript/GED received
  • Official associate degree transcript has been received by the Office of the Registrar.
  • Transfer Scholarship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by you and returned to your Admissions Specialist
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

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

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

    Game Lounge

    Sound Stages

    Wood Shop

    Metal Shop

    3D Printers

    3D Printers

    checkout-room-photography-facilities

    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.

    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

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