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 residency requirement

As a teach-out student, you may qualify for a significantly reduced residency requirement. 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 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: Confirm eligibility

Meet with a CCA transition advisor to review your academic standing and discuss your options.

Students with a CCA GPA of 2.50 or higher qualify for the streamlined admissions pathway. 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.

Step 2: Indicate your interest in ArtCenter

Let CCA know you are interested in ArtCenter so we can begin coordinating your academic and financial information.

Step 3: Complete the application process

ArtCenter will provide guidance on the application steps for CCA students. This process is designed to reduce barriers to enrolling at ArtCenter, and may include a simplified application and waived requirements, depending on your program.

Step 4: Records and next steps

CCA will work directly with ArtCenter to share your academic and financial records, where appropriate and necessary for transfer. You may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to ArtCenter, as needed.

Step 5: Review your financial aid offer

After admission and submission of required documentation (including the FAFSA, if applicable), ArtCenter will provide a clear, written explanation of your cost of attendance, including scholarship support and any housing stipends.

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.