Degree Pathways for UArts Students
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes UArts students to continue advancing toward their degree.
MIAD is committed to offering a barrier-free pathway for those seeking a like-minded community and collegiate experience. We encourage any interested students to reach out with any questions.
Students from UArts seeking entry from/to the corresponding programs listed in the following equivalency table will be provided guaranteed admission*, no loss of credit, and guarantee of same standing (no extension of time to complete degree).
Admissions Checklist
- Application: Submit your completed online application which includes an essay and portfolio upload.
- Official Transcripts or GED Report: Ask the registrar at your post-secondary institution to submit an official copy of your transcripts.
- Portfolio Submission:A portfolio is required for all applicants.
MIAD School Codes
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): 014203
ACT/PLAN: 4701
SAT/PSAT: 1506
AP (Advanced Placement): 1506
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 7590
Program Equivalents
MIAD & UArts Program Equivalents.
Pathways
UArts to MIAD Pathways details.
FAQs
Explore frequently asked questions.
Program Equivalents
| UArts BFA Programs | Corresponding MIAD Programs |
| Animation | Animation Track |
| Game Art | Illustration |
| Any Other BFA from School or Art, School of Design, or School of Film | Fine Art + New Studio Practice |
* To qualify for guaranteed admission at MIAD applicants from UArts must be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above).
** Students are encouraged to apply to the MIAD program that best suits their personal and professional goals. Every effort will be made to provide a smooth pathway to degree completion and facilitate maximum application of coursework completed at UArts regardless of the program they select.
Pathways Details
For All Impacted Students
For all students whose educational pursuits have been disrupted by the pending closure of UArts, we pledge to provide the following:
Every effort will be made to support all applicants from UArts by:
- Offering a free and expeditious application process, and the most expeditious pathway to degree completion possible
- Awarding the full extent of transfer credit possible to their program of choice (MIAD Undergraduate Degree Programs)
- Ensuring students are provided with a full transfer credit evaluation and degree completion planning for their MIAD program with an academic advisor
- Establishing access to financial aid counseling with a representative familiar with the circumstances of UArts closure
- Granting priority access to MIAD campus housing if the decision to enroll is made before July 15, 2024. (After this date, housing will be offered on a space available basis.)
- Providing any additional support we can offer through our student services or enrollment services offices to provide applicants with the information they need before enrolling
Students Pursuing Animation, Game or Interdisciplinary Art + Design Majors
For students who seek to continue their studies from one of the following BFA programs offered at UArts: Animation, Game, or Interdisciplinary Art + Design, MIAD will:
- Grant guaranteed admission to the corresponding CCS program for students in good academic standing
- Ensure students experience no loss of credit earned in coursework completed toward the degree requirements for these programs when transferring to the corresponding CCS major (This includes students in their final/senior year of study.)
- Provide allowances and accommodations to ensure students transferring from one of the listed programs to the corresponding CCS major will resume their studies in the same term and will not see an extension in the time required to complete their degree.
Important – To qualify for all pathway assurances outlined above, students must:
- Be in good academic standing with a UArts cumulative GPA of over 2.5
- Transfer from/to the corresponding majors listed in the UArts & MIAD Program Equivalents table.
FAQs
New to UArts: What if I am a new or incoming student at UArts? Does this apply to me?
If you would have started at UArts for the first time, review the Pathways Details and follow the application process for admission to MIAD — saving you the cost of uploading your portfolio to Slideroom.
Transcripts: How do I get a copy of my transcript to share?
Students seeking admission to MIAD are encouraged to request copies of their transcripts through the National Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering Center.
Transcripts can also be requested through the UArts registrar by contacting registrar@uarts.edu. The University of the Arts has reported it will offer free transcripts.
Financial Aid: What about my financial aid award and FAFSA?
Update your FAFSA form: add MIAD to your list of receiving schools so we can provide you with a full financial aid award quickly.
Share your award letter: if you have already received an aid award from UArts for the upcoming (Fall 2025) start term, please share this with your admissions counselor.
Housing: CCS have a residency requirement or require students to live on campus?
No — tuition is the same for all students and though we will prioritize housing for those seeking it, we do not require students to live on campus. Many students rent in and around the Detroit Metro area.
Learn more about our commitments to granting priority access housing in Pathways Details.
Hear from MIAD’s President about the value of a MIAD education.
MIAD’s campus is located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, the city’s official arts district, some twenty blocks of renovated warehouses, artists lofts, theaters, businesses, shops, and restaurants. Bordered by the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan and a destination for both tourists and residents, the Third Ward possesses a distinct and unique urban flavor.
The college offers one of the largest, safest, and most comprehensive art and design environments in the United States. Its campus occupies a mix of historic and modern buildings:
- The Jane Bradley Pettit Building, 273 East Erie Street: In 1992, after a complete renovation, the college moved into this facility. Our main academic building offers students, faculty, and staff 245,000 square feet of space on five floors.
- Two50Two MIAD Student Apartments, 252 East Menomonee Street: Offers students exceptional apartment-style living with upscale amenities, including LED TVs, modern furniture and upgraded appliances in every apartment, and on-site lounges and laundry. Two50Two is located directly across the street from MIAD.
- MIAD Gallery at The Ave, 301 West Wisconsin Ave Suite 104: The college’s first off-campus gallery showcasing work by students, staff, faculty and alumni is located downtown near Milwaukee’s 3rd Street Market Hall.
- Blick Art Materials, 242 East Menomonee Street: MIAD’s extensive on-campus art and design supply store.
News
FYE Juried Media Arts Festival 2024 celebrates first-year student works
Seven students received awards at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s juried FYE Media Arts Festival – an in-house screening and celebration of video, animation and sound design works by current and former First-Year Experience (FYE) students held on November 26. The 56 entries were judged by multimedia and filmmaking professionals Emma B. Barany, Gabe Leistekow and Sara Sowell.
MIAD professor brings love of branding to projects and students
Brian Bowles ’01, professor of Communication Design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finds freelance projects “deeply fulfilling” and beneficial to himself and to his students.
Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing
Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.
‘GQ Rebranded’ series is a hit for MIAD alum’s new studio
When Justin Thomas Kay ’04 (Communication Design) opened his own studio, JTK Studio, Inc., in New York City early this year, he hoped that his work “would contribute positively to helping to make things look nicer and more enjoyable and speak honestly to people broadly.” The new GQ Sports series “GQ Rebranded” turned out to be a good fit to do just that.
MIAD student support system receives national SMILE Award
Choose Mental Health, the national voice for children’s mental health, named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the 2024 SMILE Award–Organization Winner for the college’s commitment to promoting mental health and well-being among its students.