Transferring to MIAD
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2023
Your Community
This is about relationships and finding the ideal college to continue your educational career. The pursuit of a degree in the visual arts is one that requires endurance, dedication, and a creative vision of the future.
At MIAD, we are committed to educating artists and designers with a depth and breadth of knowledge both in artistic sensibilities and in life. At MIAD, we pride ourselves on developing relationships with our students, and transfer students contribute significantly to the diversity of our dynamic community. Our faculty seek students who understand that a sense of wholeness through knowledge, an interest in critical and scientific thought, and the adaptability for growth and change are important to a life of learning. We strive to build relationships that focus on these key elements of education, and transfer students often have extraordinary life and educational experiences that enhance those relationships. It is the experiences of our transfer students that contribute to the sustainability of the MIAD community.
Transfer students have unique needs; MIAD recognizes and meets those needs. It starts with the admissions process, is honed and focused throughout the curricular experience, and continues well beyond the commencement ceremony. We invite you to build a relationship with us.
Transfer Portfolio
The transfer portfolio should demonstrate knowledge of college-level course work. Your portfolio should include 20-30 pieces which represent basic skills in design, drawing, painting, color, and sculpture. If enough course work has been completed, the portfolio should also reflect experience in a major field of study.
The portfolio allows the transfer admissions counselor or faculty chair to evaluate which studio courses will transfer to MIAD and determines class standing. Therefore, your portfolio should include as much work as possible from all studio courses taken while attending other post-secondary institutions.
You may apply to transfer up to 48 studio credits. Transfer of studio courses is determined by the portfolio review. MIAD will only accept studio credits from courses which are compatible with our existing course offerings and for which you received a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Transfer Credit Policy
MIAD considers credits for transfer from accredited colleges, including community colleges, technical colleges and universities. Up to 48 studio credits and 36 liberal studies credits may be transferred to MIAD. All students must complete their last 30 credits at MIAD to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the college.
MIAD determines transfer credit eligibility and the level at which a student will enter the college on an individual basis depending upon the number of transferrable credits, level of visual competency demonstrated in the portfolio, and an applicant’s academic record. MIAD only considers credits from classes in which a grade of ‘C’ or better was awarded from a qualifying institution.
A list of commonly transferred courses and the corresponding MIAD course are provided here. This list is meant to provide a general understanding of courses that may transfer to MIAD to fulfill first-year curricular requirements.
COMMONLY TRANSFERRED LIBERAL STUDIES COURSES
| MIAD Course # | MIAD Liberal Studies Course | Commonly Transferred Courses |
| WRTG120 | Processes of Inquiry |
Introduction to College Writing English I Rhetoric Writing Workshop Written Communication Expository Writing English Composition I* |
| HUMT121 | Intro to Humanities | Introduction to Ethics Introduction to Humanities Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Psychology Psychology of Human Relations General Psychology |
| ARTH151 | Intro to the Practice of Art & Design History |
Intro to Ancient to Medieval Art History of Art I Art Survey I** Intro to Renaissance to Modern Art History of Art II Art Survey II** |
*Transfer credit may be considered for courses listed as English Composition, if coursework is comparable to MIAD’s introductory writing courses.
**Transfer credit may be considered for courses listed as Art Survey, if coursework is time-period specific as relative to MIAD’s Art History course.
COMMONLY TRANSFERRED FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE COURSES
| MIAD Course # | MIAD FYE Course | Commonly Transferred Courses |
| FYE100 | Systems of Drawing | Drawing I Basic Drawing Introduction to Drawing Drawing Fundamentals Observational Drawing Design Drawing Drawing for Design/Graphics |
| FYE110 | Visual Language | Basic Color and Design Design Fundamentals 2 Dimensional Design 2 Dimensional Composition Design I Color Theory Design II Introduction to Painting Color Media Digital Color |
| FYE121 | Research, Process and Connection |
Introduction to Printmaking Ceramics Digital Photography Introduction to Photography Introduction to Computer Art Figure Drawing Introduction to Illustration Introduction to Graphic Design |
| FYE130 | Fabrication | 3D Studies 3 Dimensional Design Introduction to Sculpture Principles of Sculpture Ceramics |
| FYE150 | Digital 2D |
Introduction to Photoshop and/or Illustrator
Computer Art Studio
Digital Illustration
Digital Imaging
Digital Photography
Introduction to Graphic Design |
| FYE151 | Digital 4D |
Introduction to Animation
Web/Interactive Design
Multimedia Survey
Introduction to Video
Web Animation
Introduction to Multimedia Production
|
| FYE199 | Intro to Advanced Study | Advanced Studio Courses (may include many of the courses listed as transferable to Research, Process and Connection) |
For more detailed information on transfer credit, or to discuss a specific course, please contact the Office of Admissions.
ARTICULATIONS
MIAD has articulation agreements with a number of community colleges. Under the terms of these agreements, students are guaranteed transfer credits toward their first two years at MIAD provided they meet the minimum requirements of the agreement and present a portfolio for review of skill level. MIAD maintains articulations with the following colleges:
- College of DuPage: Glen Ellyn, IL
- Gateway Technical College: Elkhorn, Racine and Kenosha, WI Campuses
- Milwaukee Area Technical College: Milwaukee, WI (West Allis, Mequon and Oak Creek, WI Campuses)
- Waukesha County Technical College: Pewaukee, WI
To obtain a copy of an articulation agreement, please click on the link for a specific community college and MIAD major.
- College of DuPage | Communication Design
- Gateway Technical College | Communication Design
- Milwaukee Area Technical College | Communication Design
- Milwaukee Area Technical College | Interior Architecture and Design
- Waukesha County Technical College | Communication Design
- Waukesha County Technical College Interior Design majors | Interior Architecture and Design
- Waukesha County Technical College Drafting:Construction majors | Interior Architecture and Design
For questions about articulation agreements or applying as an articulation student, please contact the Office of Admissions.