Transfer to MCAD | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Transfer to MCAD

MCAD values transfer students for the experience, insight, knowledge, and vigor they add to our creative community.

Transfer applicants are students who have graduated from high school (or earned a GED) and have enrolled in a college or university after high school, regardless of the number of credits earned. A student taking college courses while still in high school or participating in dual enrollment college classes or PSEO must apply as a first-year student and are not transfer applicants.

MCAD will review your prior academic work to determine which credits may apply toward your degree. Transfer credit is evaluated based on course content, institution accreditation, grades earned, and how coursework aligns with MCAD’s curriculum requirements. Review the guidelines below to understand how liberal arts, studio arts, pre-college, AP, IB, and community college coursework may be considered for transfer credit whether you are a first-year or transfer applicant.

Make an appointment with an admissions counselor to determine your transfer credit eligibility. This initial review is not binding, but it will give you a good idea of what credits may transfer.

Once you are accepted for admission, you will receive an official transfer-credit evaluation. MCAD supports your degree completion through strategic academic planning, and your prior credit utilization may make you eligible for an accelerated pathway, including MCAD’s Degree in 3.

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Admissions Requirements for Transfer Applicants

Transfer students must complete the MCAD Application and follow the undergraduate deadlines and requirements. In addition, official transcripts, course descriptions, course syllabi, and course portfolios, when applicable, are required by the following deadlines:

Fall Semester Admission

  • Official Transcripts
  • Transfer Portfolios
  • Course Descriptions
  • Course Syllabi
 Last Friday in June
Spring Semester Admission
  • In-Progress Artwork
  • Course Descriptions
  • Course Syllabi
 Before December 1
  • Official Transcripts
  • Transfer Portfolios
 First Friday in January

Contact an admissions counselor for guidance in the transfer process.

“I transferred to MCAD after completing a two-year degree. I felt there was so much more to learn. MCAD was the right place for me to continue my education. I was amazed when I walked through the campus to see all of the incredible art created by equally incredible students.”

Becky Meyer ’16

Transferology logo

Learn more about how your credits may transfer with Transferology. This free web-based network is designed to assist you throughout the transfer process by determining whether the credit from the courses you've taken—or plan to take—will be accepted.

Transfer-Credit Evaluation

While we are selective with transfer credits, we may accept up to 30 liberal arts credits and up to 33 studio arts credits with a grade of “C” or better from other regionally-accredited post-secondary institutions and pre-college programs.

Liberal Arts Courses

Up to 30 liberal arts credits from courses comparable to those taught at MCAD will be considered, including art history, humanities, language, and social science courses. A course description is required to determine transfer eligibility

Studio Arts Courses

Up to 33 studio arts credits may be transferred. A portfolio of work completed as part of each studio course is required for studio arts credit transfer (i.e. if you intend to transfer credits for three courses, three separate portfolios are required).

Pre-College Courses

We may accept transfer credits from advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO), and other pre-college programs. Our pre-college transfer guides below indicate specific courses that may meet our foundation curriculum requirements.

Community College Courses

To minimize loss of credit and duplication of coursework, it is recommended that students transfer to MCAD after one year of community college. Early communication with an admissions counselor is recommended.

Although MCAD does not participate in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) or recognize the full transfer of the associate of arts (AA), many of the courses in the MnTC and the AA do fulfill our requirements. Our community college transfer guides below indicate specific courses that may meet our requirements.

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

Use the Net-Price Calculator for Transfer Students to estimate your Financial Aid award.

Animation Major

Animation courses at MCAD are taught sequentially and have prerequisites. Due to the curriculum structure and intensity, transfer students who pursue the animation major will be required to complete a minimum of three and a half years (3.5) at MCAD. Students with previous animation experience from AICAD schools may be able to transfer in additional credits and will be evaluated individually. Transfer students, be aware that you may graduate with more than 120 credits. Please contact MCAD Admissions for more information.

Transfer Credit Guides:

Pre-College Courses:

Community College Courses:

MCAD Transfer Guidelines

Memphis College of Art (MCA), Oregon College of Art (OCAC), Watkins College of Art (Watkins), San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI), and University of the Arts (UArts) Students

The MCAD community welcomes students from these institutions seeking to transfer. The process to enroll at MCAD has been streamlined. Please follow the process outlined below and complete the steps by posted dates.

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2501 Stevens Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Contact Us

612.874.3700
800.874.MCAD (6223)
Fax: 612.874.3701

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Land Acknowledgement

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) acknowledges it is located on traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. This is the ancestral homeland of the Dakota and Ojibwe people, who were forcibly exiled from the land because of aggressive and persistent settler colonialism. We recognize that this place has a complex and layered history. As a community dedicated to creativity, MCAD is committed to ongoing efforts to support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.


Nondiscrimination Policy

MCAD admits students of any race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or marital status in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.