Let Us Help You Make the Right Choice
Are you in school to acquire the skills and portfolio needed to pursue a career in art and design? Is the school you are currently attending asking you to take classes you aren’t interested in before you can take the ones that interest you? Or, have you completed your associate’s degree and are looking for a university where you can build a career-ready portfolio?
If this is you, now is the time to transfer to the Academy.
The Academy’s “No Barriers” policy extends to transfer students. We do not require you to submit a portfolio, grades, or test scores to join us. No matter where you are in your college career, we welcome you to hone your art and design skills at the Academy; you can transfer in during any semester.
Art & Design
The Academy Way
- Hands-on project-based learning
- Cutting edge technology
- AI skills integrated as a tool in curriculum
- On-campus, online and virtual classes
- Working professionals as your instructors
- Collaborative classes with real world industry partners
- Leave with a portfolio of career ready work
International Student Transfers
The Academy accepts transfer students from across the globe. Our graduate and undergraduate programs host students from over 100 countries who study art and design on campus or online.
International students in any of our 14 Stem Programs also have the opportunity to enroll in three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
Contact one of our dedicated International Admissions Specialists to find out more.
How Credits Get Transferred
If you are transferring from a California school, check out one of our transfer guides or reach out to one of our Admissions Specialists. An Admissions Specialist can evaluate your coursework from any accredited college or university that uses the same (or similar) credit system as Academy of Art University. Applicable transfer credits must be completed with an equivalent grade of “C” or above.
Liberal Arts Waivers
You may be able to meet certain liberal arts requirements through placement exams and waiver options for written communication, quantitative literacy, art history and appreciation, historical awareness, and comparative ideas and influences.
Explore Online Learning At The Academy
Our online programs are tailored to your needs and lifestyle choices. We offer both asynchronous (study on your schedule with no traditional classroom participation) or Zoom/virtual online classes where you participate in class at a set time “live” with other students who are on campus in San Francisco.
Traditional Online Courses
Asynchronous learning is all about flexibility. Asynchronous courses are a mix of video lecture content, written content, recorded audio, interactive slideshows, virtual libraries, exchanges across discussion boards or social media platforms, and hands-on work. You will complete one module a week and upload your work for critique.
Virtual Online Courses (via Zoom)
You will attend our regularly scheduled on-campus courses from wherever you are in the world via Zoom in real time, learning alongside on-campus students. You will be a welcome participant in all classroom projects and team assignments. Best of all, your work will be critiqued by your classmates and instructors just as if you were an on-campus student.
Sports at the Academy
We are the only higher arts education institution in the U.S. to have an NCAA Division II athletics program—13 varsity athletics teams that represent Academy of Art University in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. We are dedicated to distinction, sportsmanship, pride, teamwork, credibility, and creativity. As a student-athlete in the Academy of Art University Intercollegiate Athletic program, you are empowered to realize your full potential academically, personally, and professionally while on the path to collegiate success. Walk-on opportunities are available.
Academy Facilities
Our workshops and classrooms are filled with the latest equipment and technology. Gain hands-on experience with the professional tools used in your industry. With an eye to emerging industry trends, we update our facilities regularly.
Industry Collaborations
The Academy partners with industry-leading companies, filmmakers, and manufacturers such as GM, Adidas, Jeep, Hasbro, Audi, Pininfarina, Jaguar, NASA, Camelbak, and Volvo, to offer our students exposure to working professionals and to create valuable networking opportunities.
These cross-disciplinary collaborative classes work on real-world, industry-supplied design briefs to create concepts for the industry sponsor. You will have the opportunity to work with representatives from our corporate and agency sponsors in small collaborative teams. These classes are designed to maximize individual recognition, build portfolios, and create employment opportunities for you and your fellow students.
