The CCAD difference

Diversity moves art forward, and it makes our community at CCAD even stronger. As an international student, you make important artistic, cultural and intellectual contributions to life on campus. Our student body comes from more than 35 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

We’re dedicated to enrolling talented art students like you from around the world. We offer you an array of resources to help you transition to CCAD and the United States. And we’re committed to cultural diversity, with events that promote cross-cultural contact among students and the community. We’re also proud to offer scholarships to qualified international students.

CCAD is authorized under U.S. federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
 


Visiting Artists & Scholars Success stories See our first-year curriculum for fall 2023

 

See the CCAD international student information:

English

Spanish (Español) (Flyer)

Korean (한국어)  (Flyer)

Arabic (العربية)  (Flyer)

Thai (ไทย) (Flyer)

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) (Flyer)

Simplified Chinese (简体中文) (Flyer)

How to apply

To apply as a first-time or transfer for the fall or spring term, please complete the Undergraduate Application form, pay the $50 application fee, and submit your portfolio, written essay and transcripts.

What you need to apply

Undergraduate (Bachelor of Fine Arts) 

All international undergraduate (BFA) applicants are required to submit:

  • A completed online application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee.
  • A written essay. Choose one of the following prompts and write a 300-500 word essay.
    • If you could have unlimited access to JUST ONE material/medium/tool (for example paint, clay, film, laptop, camera, audio recorder, fabric, laser cutter, pencil, etc.) for the rest of your life what would you choose and why? What would you make with it?
    • Write a story that contains ALL of the following elements: A. Your favorite artist B. A long distance train ride C. Something to eat
    • At CCAD you’re prepared to go out and make the world a better place using your creativity. Describe how you would like to influence society or inspire people using your creativity after you graduate from CCAD.

*Successful essays are creative, completely answer the prompt, and are grammatically correct. (And, yes, typos count against you.)

  • A portfolio. 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.
  • A transcript evaluation. Note: Students who wish to transfer university-level courses into CCAD from an international college/university must order a course-by-course evaluation. While an admissions decision can be made with just a general evaluation, we will need a course-by-course evaluation in order to determine which classes can transfer into CCAD.

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].

CCAD requires a GPA of 2.3 or higher. Please contact us if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement and you’d still like to apply. If you are admitted to CCAD before completing your high school diploma, you will need to submit a copy of your diploma to the admissions office before beginning classes.

  • A photocopy of your current passport photo identification page.
  • Proof of English Proficiency. 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.

*Students with an IELTS total band score of 5.5 and strong academic grades will have the option to either retake the IELTS or participate in a Skype interview with a CCAD staff member. Students with a 5.5 IELTS, strong academic grades, and a successful Skype interview will be considered for admittance.

Optional items:

Applicants may also submit the following supporting materials:

  • ACT or SAT test scores.
  • AP/IB exam results. If you have results from either exam, you are encouraged to send them because you could receive academic credit for certain scores.
  • A letter of recommendation. This should be from a high school teacher, counselor, or coach – someone who knows you well and is not a family member.

All paper credentials must be sent to:

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

Graduate (Master of Fine Arts or Master of Professional Studies) 

Please complete all of the application materials for the specific program you are applying to.

In addition, send the following materials:

  • A transcript evaluation 

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].

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.

 

  • A photocopy of your current passport photo identification page.
  •  Proof of English Proficiency. 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.

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].

CCAD's Title IX Coordinator and contact information can be found here.