Transfer Credit

Academic credits received from regionally accredited institutions are usually transferable to CCA if they fulfill requirements for the BA, BFA, or BArch. A grade of C or better (or pass, in pass/fail courses where a pass is equivalent to a C or better) and have been completed within the past 10 years is required in order to transfer credits from other institutions.

Transfer credit for studio courses is based on a portfolio review and corresponding transferable coursework. If CCA has an established studio transfer articulation guideline with your school, the portfolio review for placement may be waived for specific courses (see articulation guidelines). Studio units that do not meet CCA studio requirements may be used as studio electives. BA and BFA applicants may transfer a maximum of forty-five studio semester units; BArch applicants may transfer a maximum of sixty-three studio semester units. Once you are a CCA degree student, you may only transfer a maximum of twelve additional units.

CCA is on the semester system. Students transferring from an institution on the quarter system can calculate the value of transferable credits at CCA by counting quarter units as two-thirds of a semester unit.

Articulation Agreements

CCA has articulation agreements with several Community Colleges. All California Community College students can use the ASSIST website described below in conjunction with CCA's CSU Breadth Chart to place their Humanities and Science transfer units.

ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college of university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's public colleges and universities and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.

Use the "Explore Transfer Information" section on the ASSIST website by choosing the institution you are intending to transfer from using the drop down menu. Once you have selected the institution then select CSU Transferable Courses link. Once the page has refreshed, you can select a department from the drop down menu. The CSU transferable courses will be listed by course number, title and the number of units. Use this information in conjunction with CCA's Breadth Chart for equivalencies.

IGETC

CCA accepts the Inter-segmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). Completion of the IGETC pattern in its entirety will enable students to complete 33 semester units of the 51 humanities and science coursework required at CCA.

Transfer Studio Credit

Transfer Studio credit is assessed based on successful completion of transferable studio work, as well as portfolio quality. For advanced studio placement, a portion of the 15-20 portfolio images must reflect studio course assignments, personal projects, or work experience in your area of concentration.

Waivers for the Core entry requirements (Drawing, 2D, 3D, 4D,) are given based on successful completion of studio work and overall portfolio quality.

Students with 12 or more studio units meeting the aforementioned grade and portfolio requirement may also receive waivers for the Core entry requirements. Portfolios should include images reflecting competency in drawing, two- and three-dimensional organizational principles, and work that covers digital technologies or film.

Transfer Credit for Second-Degree Students

BA and BFA applicants with a previous undergraduate bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university will automatically receive transfer credit for all of the CCA humanities and sciences requirements except for the 15 to 18 units of visual studies. Transfer credit is given for visual studies courses in accordance with CCA's transfer credit policy. The 10-year limit on transfer credit does not apply to previously earned bachelor's degrees.

Advanced Placement Credit and International Baccalaureate (IB)

Advanced Placement (AP) exams administered by the College Board are accepted as credit toward fulfilling both humanities and sciences and studio requirements, depending on which exam has been completed. A score of three or higher is granted transfer credit. Advanced Placement for studio work is based on a portfolio review. Advanced Placement studio credit that does not meet major studio requirements may be used as credit for studio electives.

Students who complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams and earn a score of four or higher will be granted transfer credit. CCA may transfer a maximum of thirty units from the IB exams.

See also Advanced Placement (AP).