California College of the Arts (CCA) and ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) have established a formal teach-out agreement to provide a supportive pathway for eligible students to continue their studies at ArtCenter.

Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education, and is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). With a mission to educate, inspire and empower creative and design leaders, the College is renowned for its undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning industrial design, media and technology, as well as visual and applied arts. With deep industry relationships, state-of-the-art facilities and a strong faculty roster, ArtCenter provides real-world experience aligned with industry needs. Through rigorous, hands-on, practitioner-led instruction, the College prepares students for meaningful creative careers.

Location: Pasadena, CA
Website: www.artcenter.edu
Web page specific for CCA students: https://connect.artcenter.edu/portal/cca-teach-out

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.

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.

¹ STEM-designated program

² 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.

³ 132-unit program; may extend time to degree

Step 1: Learn about your options
Attend upcoming virtual information sessions with ArtCenter and other teach-out partners. These sessions will provide program details and allow you to ask questions. Dates and registration information will be shared as they become available.

Step 2: Explore your pathway (optional)
Meet with a Transition Hub counselor to discuss your program options, transfer pathway, and how each partner aligns with your goals.

Step 3: Indicate your interest
CCA will soon share a brief interest form for students considering ArtCenter to allow partners to begin preparing to create a smooth pathway for you to transition in Fall 2027.

Step 4: Complete the application process
ArtCenter will provide a streamlined application pathway specifically for CCA students. Additional details and instructions will be shared once the process is available.

Step 5: Transcript and records exchange
CCA will securely transmit your official transcripts and relevant academic and financial records to ArtCenter as part of the transfer process.

Admissions contacts

Undergraduate students
Bryan Green
Associate Director, Transfer Admissions
bryan.green@artcenter.edu

Graduate students
Nathan Weikert
Director, Graduate Admissions
nathan.weikert@artcenter.edu

Check back here for upcoming in-person and virtual events with ArtCenter.