Undergraduate Admissions: Transfer and Prior-Degree Students

Join a Community of Peers

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) interdisciplinary curriculum provides an ideal educational environment for advanced-level study in the arts. Whether you are transferring to SAIC’s undergraduate program from a community college or university, or you already hold a bachelor’s degree (prior degree student), you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are intensely interested in reshaping the visual landscape.

Through the admissions process, we will provide the support you need to successfully bridge your past academic, professional, and personal experiences with unparalleled educational resources only offered at SAIC.

To receive transfer credits, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have earned a grade of "C" or better, or its equivalent, at a regionally accredited institution for courses to be eligible for transfer.
• As a transfer student, you must have all credits from previous institutions accepted for transfer prior to the end of your first semester of study at SAIC.

Transferable Credits and Academic Requirements
for Transfer Students

Traditional Transfer Students

Two-year community and junior colleges
Four-year college(s) without completing a degree

*Art Education credit is nontransferable.

**Transferring upper-level art history credits require departmental approval.

Off-Campus Study Requirements

Students bringing in less than 36 transfer credits are required to participate in 3 credits of off-campus study.

Automatic Acceptance

• Liberal Arts, with grades of C or better
• Art History credits, with grades of C or better

Exemptions

ALL transfer students are automatically exempt from Contemporary Practices (FYP) Core Studio Practice, Research Studio 1 & 2, and Wired. However, transfer students may elect to enroll in Core and/or Research for Transfers.

Prior Degree Students

If you already have a bachelor’s degree from another college or university, SAIC considers you a prior degree student.

*Art Education credit is nontransferable.

Off-Campus Requirements

No off-campus study required

Automatic Acceptance

• Liberal Arts and general electives (42 credits) with grades of C or above
• Art History credits, with grades of C or above

Exemptions

Prior degree students are exempt from:

• Liberal Arts
• Contemporary Practices Core Studio Practice as well as Research Studio 1 and 2
• Laptop Program

Community College Articulation Agreements

SAIC has developed articulation agreements for the transfer of coursework from selected community colleges, listed below.

Moraine Valley Community College [PDF]

St. Louis Community College System [PDF]

Miami-Dade College [PDF]

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about transfer credits, contact us at 800.232.7242 prior to admission and no later than your first semester of study at SAIC.