CCA will wind down its current operations and will close by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. Vanderbilt will then become the owner of the campus and will establish undergraduate and graduate programming, including art and design programs, at the campus. To read the full announcement, visit cca.edu.

We understand you may have many questions and have included detailed Q&As below for all students and F-1 international students. For other questions not addressed here, please email ask@cca.edu.

Q. Can I continue taking classes at CCA if I am not graduating this year?
A. Yes. Students who are not graduating this year can continue taking classes at CCA while the College remains open through the 2026-2027 academic year.

Academic advisors are available to support students with academic planning and registration based on their academic progress and individual circumstances.

Q. Will my degree from CCA remain accredited and recognized?
A. Yes. CCA will remain an accredited institution through our closure by the end of academic year 2026-2027 All degrees awarded during this period are fully and permanently recognized–just as they are today.

Students who graduate from CCA in Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 will receive a California College of the Arts diploma, and their degrees should be treated no differently by employers, graduate schools, or licensing bodies.

Q. Will capstones, reviews, theses, exhibitions, final projects, and commencements still happen?
A. Yes, these activities will continue as in the past through to closure by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Q. Can I take courses at another institution while enrolled at CCA?
A. In some cases, students may be able to take coursework at another institution and apply it toward their CCA degree. Students considering this option should speak with an academic advisor before enrolling elsewhere to understand eligibility, approval requirements, and how credits may apply.

Q. What if I won’t be graduating by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year? (How to check your graduation term)
A. For students who will need additional time to complete their studies, we are working closely with accredited institutions to establish transfer and completion pathways. These arrangements will allow students to continue their studies without interruption, and more information will be shared about the teach-out plans as agreements are finalized. To check your progress to date, please use this link: How do I check my progress towards degree completion?

Q. How do I get my transcripts?
A. First, determine whether an unofficial transcript, which is free, would meet your needs. Many schools can discuss initial transfer options with an unofficial transcript. Current and former students can download unofficial transcripts at any time from the Academics Hub in Workday. (How to)

Current and former students can order official transcripts (electronic or paper) at any time through the Academics Hub in Workday or through CCA’s Parchment website.

More information on transcripts can be found here.

Q. What’s going to happen to CCA student records after we close by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year?
A. After CCA closes by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year, Vanderbilt will serve as the custodian of CCA’s student education records. Vanderbilt will maintain these records and provide access to transcripts and other official academic documentation for former students and alumni.

Additional information about how to access records after the end of the 2026-2027 academic year will be shared before the College closes.

Q. What is a “teach-out agreement”?
A. An external teach-out agreement is a formal agreement between CCA and another accredited institution that ensures students have clear, pre-approved paths to transfer credits and complete their degrees.

A teach-out agreement prioritizes maintaining student costs and time to graduation; and establishes what requirements, fees, etc. may be waived for students enrolling under the agreement.

Because it establishes a clear pathway for students transferring, it can be advantageous for students to use the teach-out agreement when moving to another school.

Teach-out agreements will take effect when the college closes by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

While transferring under the teach-out agreement is optional, there are benefits to doing so that students should carefully consider as they make future plans.

Q. Will I be able to transfer to Vanderbilt?
A. Vanderbilt has shared that CCA students will have the opportunity to apply to transfer to Vanderbilt academic programs, including programs offered at its existing campuses. Admission decisions will be made through Vanderbilt’s admissions process, and more details about available programs, timelines, and application requirements will be shared in the future.

Once Vanderbilt provides more information, designated CCA advisors will be available to help students understand their options and next steps.

Q. Who can help me understand my specific situation in terms of my academic standing and progress toward degree completion?
A. Academic Advising & Planning and Student Records can help students understand their current class standing, academic standing, and progress toward degree completion. Current students are invited to make an Advising & Planning appointment for additional guidance.

Q. Who can help me understand my specific situation in terms of my financial aid situation?
A. Questions about a student’s individual financial aid situation are best addressed by the Financial Aid Office. Because financial aid is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and depends on individual records, responses to specific questions may require careful review and can take time, particularly during periods of high inquiry volume. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@cca.edu.

General updates will be shared through official communications, and students are encouraged to review those updates as they are released.

Q. Who can I contact with additional and follow-up questions?
A. You may find answers to many of your questions in this FAQ, but we understand that there are many unique circumstances. If you have questions not answered here, you can email questions@cca.edu, and we will route your question to the right area.

Q. I’m an international student. Who should I contact for more information?
A. International students can contact (iss@cca.edu) or schedule an appointment. You may find answers to many of your questions in this FAQ, but we understand that there are many unique circumstances. If you have questions not answered here, you can email questions@cca.edu, and we will route your question to the right area.

Q. What do I need to do right now?
A. Students should remain focused on the start of the spring semester and their coursework. We will share timely updates as the semester progresses. For now, here’s what you can do:

• Stay focused on making a strong start to your Spring semester.
• Stay Informed: Monitor your school email for official information and meeting invitations.
• Download an unofficial copy of your transcripts from Workday and have it handy for conversations with your advisor as more information is provided.
• When questions arise, send them to questions@cca.edu.

Q. What happens to my F-1 SEVIS record with news of this change for CCA?
A. CCA continues to have approval to host F-1 international students. There is no impact on your SEVIS record or ability to maintain F-1 status while CCA is open.

Q. I am a currently enrolled F-1 international student who wants to transfer from CCA to another SEVIS approved school in the US. What should I do?
A. You must request that International Student Services (ISS) release your SEVIS record to your new school. More information can be found on the SEVIS Transfer Information page on CCA Portal: Transferring F-1 SEVIS record out of CCA

The timeline to transfer with an active SEVIS record is something students should discuss with ISS, so please schedule an appointment to review all information.

Q. I am a currently enrolled F-1 international student wishing to withdraw from CCA classes and depart the United States (not transferring to a US based school). What should I do?
A. F-1 students must be enrolled full-time each academic semester to maintain nonimmigrant status. If you are deciding to withdraw from CCA classes and leave the US once the semester has started, withdrawing from classes means that you cannot maintain your F-1 status in the United States since you aren't enrolled full-time. ISS will need to terminate your F-1 SEVIS record within 15 days of the withdrawal from CCA classes. You should make plans to depart the US before the end of that 15 day period to avoid any undue hardship with future immigration requests.

Please schedule an appointment to discuss more about your situation.