Transfer Options

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603 
Phone: 800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100
Email: admiss@saic.edu

Transfer Day: Saturday, June 3

Learn about the transfer process, get portfolio advice, calculate your transfer credit & take a campus tour!
RSVP

 

Transfer Credits

SAIC has liberal transfer policies to allow you to make the most of the academic experiences you bring to campus. We will accept up to a maximum of 60 transfer credits for courses in which you have received a grade of "C" or better from an accredited university or college.

  • Official transcripts will be evaluated from the prior college(s) you attended to determine the Liberal Arts or Art History credits that will transfer.
  • Studio credits that may transfer will be determined by evaluating your transcripts and your portfolio.
  • Health, nutrition, or physical education credits will not transfer.
Degree Maximum Transferable Credit Maximum Transferable Studio Credit
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) 60 30
BFA with an Emphasis in Art Education* 60 30
BFA with an Emphasis in Writing 60 30
Bachelor of Arts in Art History** 60 15
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies 60 15

*Art Education credit cannot be transferred.
**Transferring upper-level art history credits requires departmental approval.

  • Students bringing in less than 36 transfer credits are required to participate in 3 credits of off-campus study.
  • Liberal Arts and Art History credits in which students have received the equivalent of a "C" or better are automatically accepted for transfer credit.
  • Transfer students are exempt from Contemporary Practices Core Studio Practice, and Research Studio 1 and 2. However, transfer students may elect to enroll in Core and/or Research for Transfers.

 

Prior Degree Students

For second degree students who have already received a bachelor's degree, we will accept up to 81 credits, which include 36 studio electives.

Transferable Credits and Academic Requirements for students who have already received a bachelor's degree from another college or university.

Degree Maximum Transferable Credit Maximum Transferable Studio Credit
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) 81 36
BFA with an Emphasis in Art Education* 81 36
BFA with an Emphasis in Writing 81 36
Bachelor of Arts in Art History** 81 15
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies 81 15

*Art Education credit cannot be transferred.
**Transferring upper-level art history credits requires departmental approval.

  • Students are exempt from completing SAIC's off-campus study requirement and participating in the laptop program.
  • Liberal Arts and Art History credits in which students have received the equivalent of a "C" or better are automatically accepted for transfer credit.

Transfer Agreements

SAIC has formal partnerships documenting the transfer policies between our institution and the following community colleges:

SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Anoka-Ramsey Community College
English 6 credits ENGL 1121, 2241
Humanities 6 credits ENGL 2202–2271, HUM 1103–2271, MUSC 1100, 1101, 1110, 1111, 2201, 2202, PHIL 1101–1200, THTR 1120, 2230
Natural Sciences 6 credits BIOL 1100–2209, CHEM 1020–2062, MATH 1100–2230, NATS 1001–1171, PHYS 1007–1328
Social Sciences 6 credits ANTH 2201–2261, ECON 1100–2206, GEOG 1101–1108, HIST 1101–2282, POLS 1111–2245, PSYC 1108–2270, SOC 1102–2262, WOST 1100–2242
Academic Electives 6 credits Any of the above; ASL 1101–2202, CHIN 1101–2202, FREN 1101–2202, GERM 1101–2202, SPAN 1101–2202
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ARTS 1107
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 1108
  Art History Electives 12 credits None
Studio Maximum 33 credits ART 1115–2254, JOUR 2121–2151
General Electives 6 credits Any of the above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago to create pathways, recommended sets of courses that will lead to a four (4) year degree. 

SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: College of Lake County
English 6 credits ENG 121, 122
Humanities 6 credits ENG 129-249, HUM 121-226, PHI 121-221, MUS 124, 224, THE 121, 123, ITL 223, 224, SPA 223, 224, GER 224
Natural Sciences 6 credits MTH 127-246, CHEM 120L-142L, ESC 120L-224, PHY 120L-123L, BIO 120L-161L
Social Sciences 6 credits ANT 121-224, ECO 221, 222, GEG 122, 123, GXS 121, 229, HST 121-246, PSC 121-222, PSY 121-226, SOC 121-229
Academic Electives 6 credits ARA 222, CHI 222, FRN 222-224, GER 222, 224, ITL 222-224, JPN 222, RUS 222, SPA 222-224
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 240
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 240
  Art History Electives 12 credits ART 260, 261
Studio Maximum 33 credits ART 122-229, 245-249
General Electives 6 credits All above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Community College of Baltimore County
English 6 credits ENG 101, 102, 201–260
Humanities 6 credits ARTD 104, DANC 147, MUSC 102–109, PHIL 101–290, THTR 101, LGST 101–273, HUM 110–290
Natural Sciences 6 credits ARSC 103, 104, ASTM 101–293, BIOL 100–283, CHEM 100–225, ENVS 101–291, ERSC 101–142, GEOG 141, PHYS 101–252, MATH 125–259, PHSC 101, 111
Social Sciences 6 credits DANC 147, INTR 121, MCOM 111, AASD 101, ANTH 101, 102, CRJU 101-273, SOCL 202, ECON 163-250, EDTR 103, PSYC 103, GEOG 102, 111, HIST 101-220, POL 101-251, GEOG 101-142, NAST 101-273, SSCI 101-112
Academic Electives 6 credits CMNS 101, INTR 101, WLAR 101-202, WLCH 101-202, WLFR 101-202, WLGR 101-202, WUN 101-202, WLJP 101-202, WLRU 101-202, WLSP 101-202
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ARTD 105
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ARTD 106
  Art History Electives 12 credits HIST 150
Studio Maximum 33 credits AFAPA 101, ARTD 110-258, DIGM 111-202, INTD 101-293, THTR 101-293
General Electives 6 credits All above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Community College of Philadelphia
English 6 credits ENGL 101-106, 108, 112, 122, ENGL 190, 195H, 196H, 205, 281, 283, 285
Humanities 6 credits ENGL 107, 208, 209, 211-265, 280, 297H, 298H, HIST 142, 150, 160, 170, 220-298H, all HUM, IDS 150, 297H, 298H, INT 106, RS 170, MUS 103, 105, 106, all PHIL, all RS
Natural Sciences 6 credits All BIOL, all CHEM, all CLT, ECON 112, 114, MATH 118-272, all PHYS
Social Sciences 6 credits ANTH 101-215, ANTH 101-215, BHHS 101-293, all EASC, ECON 181, 182, all GEOG, HIST 101-122, 180, INT 105, JUS 201, all POLS, all PSYC, all SOC, all WS
Academic Electives 6 credits ASL 101-232, all ARAB, all CHIN, all FREN, all HEBR, all ITAL, all JAPN, all SPAN, all SWAH, MUS 100, 111, 113, 114, 121, 211, 214
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I 3 credits ARTD 105
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ARTD 106
  Art History Electives 12 credits HIST 150
Studio Maximum 33 credits ADC 101-212, 226-286, ART 101, 105-290, CIS 130, 140, 230, 231, 270, all DVP, ENGR 102, 202, 213, 214, 215, ENGL 124, 131-142, MUS 101, 102, 108, 109, 115, 120, 141, 142, 143, 144, 196, 197, 201, 202, 215, 220, 241, 242, 243, 244, 260, 290, 296, 297 , PHOT 100, 101, 103, 1047, 151, 152, 201, 202, 205, 211, 217, 291
General Electives 6 credits All ACCT, ASET 101, all CF, CIS 103, 106, 150-205, 252-259, all CSCI, all ED, ENGR 205-212, 216, 221, 222, ENGL 114-120, 272 ,282 , all FIN, all GIS,JUS 121,151,171,181, 221, 235, 237, 241, 251, 261, 281, 291, all LEAD, all MNGT, all MKTG, MUS 180, OA 106, 110, 161, all PLS, PHOT 299, all PTEC
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: McHenry County College
English 6 credits ENG 151, 152
Humanities 6 credits ART 150, ENG 240, 251 - 277, JRN180, MUS 151, 153, 154, 171, 172, anything under Philosophy, THE151
Natural Sciences 6 credits Anything under Biology, anything under Chemistry, anything under Earth Science, anything under Geology, GEG107, 123, 220, MAT 120, 150, 161–260, anything under Physics
Social Sciences 6 credits Anything under Anthropology, anything under Economics, GEG202, 203, 204, anything under History, anything under Political Science, anything under Psychology, anything under Sociology
Academic Electives 6 credits Any from above and anything under, French, German, Spanish, SPE151 (or anything under Speech - if agreeable), CDM110
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 171
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits AET 142, ART 155, 165, 172, 175, GRA 180
  Art History Electives 12 credits AET 142, ART 155, 165, 172, 175, GRA 180
Studio Maximum 33 credits Anything under Animation, AET 141, 151–271, ART 152, 153, 156–160, 166–168, 180–290, DGM 110–210, 259–290, GRA 100–167, 183–267
General Electives 6 credits Anything from above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Miami-Dade College
English 6 credits ENC 1101, ENC 1102
Humanities 6 credits AML 2010, AML 2020, AML 2601, AML 2602, LIT 1000-2480, HUM 1020-2574, MUH 2111-2380 , PHI 1100-2604, REL 1210-2600, ARH 1000
Natural Sciences 6 credits BCH 3023, all Biological Sciences , all Chemistry, EVR 1001, all Geology, MAC 1105, MGF 1106-1107, MGF 2210, STA 2023, MTG 3214, all Meteorology, all Oceanography, all Physics
Social Sciences 6 credits All Anthropology , ECO 2000-2023, ECO 2301, all Geography, all History, JST 2423, 2815, all Political Science, all Psychology, all Social Science , all Sociology
Academic Electives 6 credits All of the above and all Foreign Language studies
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ARH 2051
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ARH 2050, 2402
  Art History Electives 12 credits ARC 2701, 2702, 2767, ARH 2050, 2740, FIL 1030, 1060, IND 1100, 1130
Studio Maximum 33 credits ARCH 1113-2681, ART 1201C-2938, 2950, CGS 1871, DIG 1710, 2625- 2771, CTE 1401, DIG 3255C - 4505C, FIL 1100- 2572C, 3651 - 4586C, VIC 1000- 2206C, all Graphic Arts, IND 1020, 1200-2500, all Photography
General Electives 6 credits All above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Moraine Valley Community College
English 6 credits COM 101, 102, 106, 107, 108
Humanities 6 credits ART 110, anything in Humanities (HUM), anything in Literature (LIT), MUS 106, 107, 206, 207, anything in Philosophy (PHI), THE 105, 107, 110
Natural Sciences 6 credits Anything in Biology (BIO), anything in Chemistry (CHM), anything in Earth Science (EAS), anything in Geology (GEL), MTH 120, 139, 141, 142, 143, 145, 150, 151, 152, 201, 210, 212, anything in Natural Science (NAT), anything in Physical Science (PHS), anything in Physics (PHY)
Social Sciences 6 credits Anything in Anthropology (ANT), ECO 101, 102, 250, anything in Geography (GEO), anything in History (HIS), anything in Political Science (PSC), anything in Psychology over 100 (PSY), anything in Social Science (SSC), anything in Sociology (SOC)
Academic Electives 6 credits All courses approved in the above categories, Arabic (ARB), COM 103, French (FRE), German, (GER), Japanese (JPN), JRN 101, MUS 104, 105, Spanish (SPA)
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 205 or 206
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 207 or 208
  Art History Electives 12 credits ART 203, 209, 231
Studio Maximum 33 credits ART 101, 104, 105, 106, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126, 146, 150, 160, 161, 162, 170, 180, 182, 184, 186, 246, 248, 249, MDT 100, 101, 145, 160, 245, 255, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 288, 289, 290, 291
General Electives 6 credits All courses approved above, anything in Business (BUS), Criminal Justice (CRJ), Education (EDU), Information Management Systems (IMS), Journalism (JRN)
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Pasadena City College
English 6 credits ENGL 001A, 001B
Humanities 6 credits ENGL 030A–082C, HUM 001–004, MUSC 007A, 007B, 024B–028, PHIL 001–037, RELG 001–003, THRT 005
Natural Sciences 6 credits ANAT 025, ASTR 001–012, BIOL 001A–071C, CHEM 001A–022, ENVS 001–040, GEOG 001–030, GEOL 001–024, MATH 003–055H, MICR 002, PHSC 002–071B, PHYS 001A–031B, PYSO 001–002B
Social Sciences 6 credits ANTH 001–031, ECON 001A–020, HIST 001A–041, POLS 001–022, PSYC 001–041, SOC 001–041
Academic Electives 6 credits Any of the above, ASL 010A–D, ARBC 001–002, ARMN 001–002, CHIN, 001–022, FRNC 001–050, GRMN 001–012, GREK 001–002, HEBR 001–003, ITAL 001–050, JAPN 001–012, LATN 001–002, LING 010–017, SPAN 001–050
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 001A
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 001B–004D, 007–009
  Art History Electives 12 credits Any of the above Art History classes, ARCH 024A–024B, ART 104–106, FASH 124, THRT 005–007B
Studio Maximum 33 credits ARCH 010A–022B, ART 011A–098, ART 118–158, DT 008A–240, FASH 001A–115, 130, GRFX 010–102, 113–245B, JOUR 002, 022–023, PHOT 010–171C
General Electives 6 credits Any of the above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Raritan Valley Community College
English 6 credits ENGL 111, 112, 201, 247, 248, 249
Humanities 6 credits ARTH 101, DANC 110, ENGL 202–299, FILM 237, MUSC 102–107, 201–202, PHIL 101–240, THEA 103, 107, 108, 205
Natural Sciences 6 credits BIOL 101-249, all BTCP, CHEM 102–212, ENV 201, GEOL 157, MATH 100–299, PHYS 101–250, SCIE 127
Social Sciences 6 credits ANTH 101-202, ECON 101–210, GEOG 101–150, HIST 101–202, POLI 101–231, PSYC 103– 229, SOCI 101–233, WGST 110
Academic Electives 6 credits Any of the above and FREN 103–225, GRMN 103-225, HIST 204, ITAL 101–202, MUSC 101, 111–114, 211–214, 270, SPAN 103–241
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ARTH 110
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ARTH 111, 203, 205, 206, 208
  Art History Electives 12 credits ARTH 115, 210, 223, FILM 101, 122, 237, 250, INTR 201, 202, INTR 110, 111, 112, 114, 200, 210, 211, 230
Studio Maximum 33 credits ARTS 104–284, CISY 106, 114, 132, 208, 225, 232, 233, 268, 269, CNTC 100, CNTC 104, COMM 267, DANC 107, 108, 212, 216, 217, ENG 107, ENTC 111, FITN 143, MUSC 121–126, 155–191, 221–224, THEA 111–203, WTTC 108–109
General Electives 6 credits Any of the above and ACCT 101-250, all CISY, all COMM, all CRMJ, all ECHD, all EDUC, ELEC 101, all ENGR, ENVI 101, 202, HMNS 102–291, HUMN 103, 240, INTR 252, all LEGL, all MRKT, THEA 252
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: Waubonsee Community College
English 6 credits ENG 101, 102
Humanities 6 credits ANT 101, 110, ART 100, CRJ 220, 250, ENG 211–296, FLM 270, HUM 101, 102, 201 MUS 100–123, 200, 221 PHL 100–230, REL 120–240, SGN 110, SOC 100–230, THE 100, 130
Natural Sciences 6 credits AST 100, 105, BIO 100–122, 250–272, CHEM 100–232, ESC 100–130, GEO 100–120, MTH 101–240, PHY 103–222
Social Sciences 6 credits CRJ 100, 120, 230, ECN 100–296, EDU 210, GEO 120–235, HIS 101–290, IDS 220, PSY 100-–296, SOC 100–296
Academic Electives 6 credits FRE 101–296, GER 101–202, JPN 101, 102, SGN 101–108, SPN 101–202, 211
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 101
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 102
  Art History Electives 12 credits ART 103, 105,106, 250, 260 FLM 250, 260
Studio Maximum 33 credits ART 110–296, CAD 100–270, ENG 204, 206, GRD 135–292, MCM 140, 240, 243, MUS 211–215, 202, ART 120–290
General Electives 6 credits All above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits  
 
SAIC Degree Requirements BFA Degree Equivalents: William Rainey Harper College
English 6 credits ENG 101, 102
Humanities 6 credits FRN 210, HUM 101–125, LIT 105–250, LNG 105, 205, MUS 101, 103–107, PHI 101–232, SGN 212, SPA 210, THE 111, 121
Natural Sciences 6 credits AST 100–201, BIO 101–161, CHEM 100–297, GEO 101–202, MATH 101–265, PHS 101–170, PHY 100–203
Social Sciences 6 credits ANT 101–225, ECO 115–212, EDU 211, GEG 100–210, HST 105–282, PSC 101–280, PSY 101–245, SOC 101–235
Academic Electives 6 credits CHN 101–202, FRN 101–205, GRE 101–230, JPN 101–205, SGN 101–205, SPA 101–205, SPE 101, 102
Art History    
  ARTHI 1001 Survey I

3 credits

 ART 130, 131
  1000-level Art History Survey 3 credits ART 132
  Art History Electives 12 credits ARC 125, ART 133, IND 103
Studio Maximum 33 credits ARC 105–122, 201–223, ART 105–122, 150–296, ENG 220–222, FASH 100–265, GRA 101–299, IND 101, 102, 106–285, MUS 102
General Electives 6 credits All above
Maximum Total Transferable Credits Allowed 66 credits