ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter)

Teach-Out Agreement Highlights

Financial support and scholarships

ArtCenter will provide scholarship support to help make your transition as affordable as possible. For the 2027–28 academic year, ArtCenter will provide scholarships based on your current CCA scholarship support, matching your current CCA scholarship up to a maximum of $14,000 per semester ($28,000 annually). In addition, ArtCenter will provide a one-time $2,000 housing stipend in your first semester to assist with relocation. Students who currently receive housing support from CCA and demonstrate high financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) may be eligible for an increased housing stipend of $3,000 per semester, which is renewable for the duration of their program.

Scholarship matching: Teach-out partners base their financial aid and scholarship matches on your standard, baseline CCA institutional aid. One-time institutional aid, such as the CCA Legacy Award ($5,000 for undergraduate students and $2,500 for graduate students), financial aid petitions, or other non-renewable aid, is not factored into the teach-out matching calculations at any partner institution.

Students who are eligible to submit a FAFSA must do so by April 1, 2027, and list ArtCenter as a recipient in order to be considered for the full range of financial aid. Students who express interest in ArtCenter can request a detailed financial aid offer outlining the total financial aid package and cost of attendance.

Reduced academic residency requirement

As a teach-out student, you may qualify for a significantly reduced academic residency requirement (i.e., the number of units you are required to complete at ArtCenter after transferring there). ArtCenter requires transfer students to complete at least two years/60 credits at ArtCenter–but for CCA Teach-Out students with transfer credits in excess of this limit, the academic residency requirement may be reduced to one year/30 earned credits at ArtCenter.

Streamlined admissions and waived fees

If you are a CCA student in good academic standing (a CCA GPA of 2.50 or higher), you will be admitted into your corresponding equivalent program without needing to submit a personal statement, essay, or portfolio (unless explicitly noted in the program requirements below).

Students with a GPA below 2.50 may still be considered for admission, but may be asked to submit additional materials (such as a portfolio or personal statement), as determined by ArtCenter.

There is no application fee. An enrollment deposit is required to enroll, but it will be applied to your tuition or other charges.

Credit and general education transfer

ArtCenter will accept earned CCA credits that fulfill the requirements of your new program, as determined by ArtCenter (with a grade of C or better for major requirements, and D or better for general education requirements).

If you have completed CCA's core general education requirements, you will be considered to have satisfied all ArtCenter general education requirements. If you have completed some, but not all, of these requirements, your coursework will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

International students

ArtCenter will waive any additional English-language proficiency testing or documentation requirements for international students transferring under this agreement, such as TOEFL or IELTS, recognizing that CCA has already confirmed your English-language proficiency for full admission and enrollment.

CCA Programs & ArtCenter College of Design Equivalent Programs

CCA Program	ArtCenter College of Design Equivalent
Animation, BFA	BS Entertainment Design (Animation Track) STEM-designated program. 132-unit program; may extend time to degree.
Architecture, BArch	BS Spatial Experience Design STEM-designated program. 132-unit program; may extend time to degree.
Art and Design Studies, BA	Any 120 or 132-Unit Undergraduate Program Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Comics, BFA	BFA Illustration (Illustration Design Track)
Communication Design, BFA	BFA Graphic Design 132-unit program; may extend time to degree
Design, MFA	MFA Graphic Design Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Design, MFA	MS Industrial Design STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Design, MFA	MFA Media Design Practices STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Film, BFA	BFA Film
Game Arts & Design, BFA	BS Entertainment Design (Game Design Track) STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Graphic Design, BFA	BFA Graphic Design Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Illustration, BFA	BFA Illustration (Design Track or Entertainment Arts Track)
Industrial Design, BFA	BS Product Design STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Interaction Design, BFA	BS Interaction Design STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Interior Design, BFA	BS Spatial Experience Design STEM-designated program. Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Other bachelor-level CCA programs not included on this list, BA, BFA	Any 120 or 132-Unit Undergraduate Program Note that there may be differences in how transfer credit is treated depending on the coursework that a student has taken and the program in which a student chooses to enroll; a portfolio demonstrating ability in the selected major may be required.
Painting & Drawing, BFA	BFA Illustration (Fine Art Track)
Painting & Drawing, BFA	BFA Fine Art
Photography, BFA	BFA Photography and Imaging

How to Apply for Fall 2027

Submit your teach-out application

ArtCenter College of Design’s dedicated CCA teach-out application will open on August 1, 2026.

There is no application fee, and CCA students in good standing will follow the streamlined admissions process outlined in the teach-out agreement.

A note about teach-out applications

Special teach-out applications have been designed by our teach-out partners to provide you a streamlined path straight to an official admissions offer. These applications are not like standard college applications that require complex submission steps and drawn-out evaluations of your record for admission decisions. Instead, these simplified applications ask for some basic information from you so teach-out partners can generate your admissions offer, detail how your credits transfer, and map out your path to graduation.

Submitting an application does not commit you to enrolling at ArtCenter. Students may apply to more than one teach-out institution while exploring their options before making a final decision.

Once you submit your complete application, CCA will provide your academic records to ArtCenter–unless you previously authorized record sharing through the interest form (those records have already been transmitted). If you attended another college or university before CCA, ArtCenter may also ask you to request official transcripts directly from those institutions.

Start your ArtCenter Teach-Out Application (list CCA as your current institution)

Admissions and enrollment timeline

The timeline below provides an overview of the admissions and enrollment process. Some requirements may vary depending on your academic program, financial aid eligibility, housing plans, or international student status.

Approximately 3 weeks after submitting your application - Admission decision:
You can expect to receive your admission decision, initial transfer credit evaluation, and institutional financial aid information.

After you are admitted - Enrollment deposit:
Submit your enrollment deposit when you are ready to commit to ArtCenter. The deposit is $300 for undergraduate students and $400 for graduate students. Deposits are accepted on a rolling basis until a program reaches capacity.

September 23 or 24, 2026 - Information sessions:
Attend an ArtCenter information session at CCA. Session times and registration information will be shared as they become available.

October 1, 2026 - FAFSA opens:
Submit the 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, designating ArtCenter College of Design as a recipient.

Approximately 2 weeks after all required financial aid materials (including FAFSA, for domestic students) are received - Financial aid offer:
ArtCenter will provide your complete financial aid offer and additional information about your anticipated cost of attendance.

November 15, 2026 - Submit portfolio (if applicable):
If requested, submit any portfolio materials required by ArtCenter. A portfolio is generally not required for admission for students in good standing but may be requested for certain programs.

March 1, 2027 - Priority FAFSA deadline:
Submit the 2027–28 FAFSA to ArtCenter by this date.

March 15–June 8, 2027 - SEVIS records transfer:
F-1 International students should request transfer of their SEVIS record during this period with a SEVIS record release date after CCA classes end on May 10, 2027 and before ArtCenter fall classes begin. ArtCenter and CCA’s International Student Services team will provide instructions to affected students.

Date to be announced - Campus visit:
ArtCenter will share information about opportunities to visit campus as details become available.

Need help planning your transition?

If you would like assistance comparing programs, understanding transfer pathways, reviewing timelines, or discussing your options, schedule an appointment with a Transition Hub counselor.

Dates and requirements may change as ArtCenter finalizes its Fall 2027 processes. This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Meet with ArtCenter College of Design

Virtual Info session

Wednesday, April 22, 2:45–3:30 pm
View session recording

Last updated on Jul 31, 2026

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