Transfer credit

General policy

Transfer credit is considered for acceptance toward a CalArts degree only when:

1. It was earned at a postsecondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or a foreign postsecondary institution recognized by its national government; and subject to review by the dean and the Registrar.

2. A grade of A, B, C or Pass was earned. CalArts residence equivalence is based on 15 semester units equal to one semester.

Credit toward the major

This Institution will conduct an evaluation of previous education and training and grant appropriate credit. Due to the unique and sequential nature of some programs, transfer credit may be utilized to shorten the student's program upon demonstration of appropriate academic and artistic progress. (See policy on Year-Level Adjustment). The decision on year level placement at the time of acceptance is made by a faculty committee in each of the Institute's schools, based on portfolio or audition and may not exceed a level that can be substantiated by acceptable transfer credit. The schools are not obligated to recognize transfer credit in the major area when determining year level of acceptance.

Transfer credits and Critical Studies

CalArts, in principle, accepts all postsecondary transfer credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities; we accept equivalent courses for our core curriculum requirements in Critical Studies.

Students who transfer into CalArts with an undergraduate degree from regionally accredited colleges and universities are exempt from Critical Studies requirements.

Limitations on units accepted toward Critical Studies

Religious studies
Critical Studies accepts for transfer credit historical, philosophical and literary studies of religion and the Bible. We do not accept courses in religious studies that represent interpretations of a particular church or sect.

Business courses
Generally we do not accept business courses for transfer credit. When we do, it is on a course-by-course basis, where for example, in a particular course there might be sufficient emphasis on writing skills to warrant transfer credit. We will give credit for courses in business and the arts as these are equivalent to our Survival in the Arts courses.

Foreign languages
We do not accept transfer credit for foreign language courses designated "conversational" except when such courses carry transfer credit by the institution from which they are offered. A maximum of 5 semester units of foreign language may apply to the Critical Studies requirement.

Applied sciences
Generally we proceed on a course-by-course basis in allotting transfer credit to the applied sciences such as courses in the areas of engineering, electronics and computer science. Through course descriptions and syllabi we wish to be assured that there is a significant scientific or quantitative component to the course for which credit is given.

Critical Studies credit for summer courses or concurrent enrollment

Critical Studies generally accepts any credit earned by a currently enrolled student if the credit is earned at a regionally accredited postsecondary institution and otherwise meets transfer criteria. Students are strongly urged to consult with the Dean of the School of Critical Studies prior to enrollment in outside courses for which Critical Studies credit is expected. Consultation with the Dean will insure that course choices of the student are consistent with our requirements and will serve the student in fulfilling those requirements. Transfer credit is not guaranteed unless prior approval of the Dean of Critical Studies has been obtained.