International students requirements

Apply through the CCAD Application or the Common App. The application fee is $50 and is nonrefundable.

A portfolio is how you show your creative skills and ideas. It can include anything that you have created or made such as drawings, paintings, photos, inventions, robots, installations, films, animations, comics, sculptures, ceramics, furniture designs, things you’ve built, clothing designs, stories, scripts, poetry, etc. If it’s creative, you can include it! Not quite sure what to include? Talk to your Admissions Counselor. They are happy to help! Use your best work, show us how you think, what you’re passionate about and what defines you as a creative individual. 8-15 pieces are required. While a few writing samples (poetry, short stories, script writing, etc.) are acceptable, all or the majority of your portfolio should be some form of visual art! More tips can be found here.

Official transcript evaluation for every high school and/or collegiate educational institution you’ve attended. CCAD requires a 2.5 GPA or higher. Please contact us if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement and you’d still like to apply. We do not accept international transcripts directly. All transcripts from secondary (high) school and college/university, if applicable, must be sent to either ECE, One Earth, or WES for evaluation.

• ECE
  • Please order a general with GPA evaluation. Please have it sent to Columbus College of Art & Design. This can be indicated on the Report Delivery screen.
• One Earth
  • Please order a general evaluation. Please have the completed report sent to [email protected].

Undergraduate applicants from countries where English is not the sole official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting any of the following:

• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 61 (TOEFL code for CCAD: 1085)
• IELTS total band score requirement: 6.0
• PTE Academic minimum score: 45
• ELS: completion of level 109
• Duolingo minimum score: 90
• We accept the TOEFL at-home and the IELTS online exams

• A written essay
• ACT or SAT test scores.
• Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam results. If you have results from either exam, we encourage you to send them in case your scores qualify you for academic credit.
• A letter or letters of recommendation. This should be from a teacher, counselor, employer, mentor, or coach – someone who knows you well and is not a family member.
• A photocopy of your current passport photo identification page. This will be required if/when you should be admitted for I-20 processing purposes.

All paper credentials must be sent to:

Admissions Office
Columbus College of Art & Design
60 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
United States

Have a question?  Email [email protected].

Apply through the CCAD Application. 

Things to have prepared for your application:

• Personal Statement:Tell us about your artwork and your experiences as an artist. Describe your influences and creative practice. What do you want to accomplish in graduate school and how do you believe CCAD can contribute to your artistic growth? This statement should be between 250-500 words
• Portfolio: Your portfolio should contain 15–20 examples of your work, which can be a combination of images and time-based work. You should submit your portfolio entirely as digital files on the apply page.
• Resume/CV + link to professional website: PDF format
• Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendations from faculty, guidance counselors, professional artists, employers, or other adults not related to you. You should submit this through the apply page as well. 

CCAD is a test-optional college and graduate students do not have any entrance exam requirements. However, you may provide GRE scores if you want to enhance your application consideration.

We do not accept international transcripts directly. All transcripts from secondary (high) school and college/university, if applicable, must be sent to either ECE, One Earth, or WES for evaluation.

• ECE
  • Please order a general with GPA evaluation. Please have it sent to Columbus College of Art & Design. This can be indicated on the Report Delivery screen.
• One Earth
  • Please order a general evaluation. Please have the completed report sent to grad[email protected].

If you are admitted to CCAD before completing your bachelor's degree, you will need to submit a copy of your diploma to the admissions office before beginning classes.

Graduate applicants from countries where English is not the sole official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting any of the following:

• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 80 (TOEFL code for CCAD: 1085)
• IELTS total band score requirement: 6.5
• PTE Academic minimum score: 53
• ELS: Completion of Level 112
• Duolingo minimum score: 105
• We accept the TOEFL at-home and the IELTS online exams.

A photocopy of your current passport photo identification page. This will be required if/when you should be admitted for I-20 processing purposes.