WELCOME AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ART STUDENTS

As the teach-out institution for American Academy of Art students, Columbia College Chicago is committed to supporting you to successfully complete your degree on your current timeline. While we regret the circumstances and disruption you are experiencing, we are prepared to support you during this transition with personalized options.

If you elect the teach-out option with Columbia College Chicago, you will be welcomed into a nationally-recognized higher education institution that endeavors to educate students who will communicate creatively and author the culture of their times. Learn more about Columbia at about.colum.edu.

If you have questions, email Holly Herrera, PhD at hherrera@colum.edu.

• Will all my credits transfer to Columbia?

  Columbia College Chicago will accept up to 107 credits toward your degree completion.

• Can I see an approximate evaluation on which of my classes would transfer over?
  Yes. Please review our Transfer Planning Tools page where you can see a rough estimate on which of the classes you have already taken and what their equivalencies at Columbia would be.
• Will my tuition increase?

  Columbia College Chicago’s tuition is lower than tuition at the American Academy of Art. Full-Time undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year is $34,088.

  You can review current and future tuition and fees here.

• Will I be eligible for financial aid and scholarships at Columbia?

  Students who elect to participate in the teach-out option with Columbia College Chicago will become Columbia students, and financial aid will be awarded according to Columbia’s policies and guidelines. Be sure to add Columbia to your FAFSA (school code 001665) so that you can be considered for need-based scholarships.

  Additionally, Columbia is guaranteeing a minimum scholarship of $6,000 for any student who applies for the fall 2024 or spring 2025 term.

• Do I have to apply for admission to Columbia?

  Yes, complete the transfer application found here. There is no application fee.

• The BA is the only degree available in the application. What do I need to do to be considered for BFA admission?

  To be considered for the BFA you must upload a portfolio of your work. This optional upload will be available on your Columbia Connect status page. If you are applying to a BFA program for the fall 2024 term and are not admitted to the BFA program, you will have the opportunity to work with your department toward that admission after the first semester of enrollment.

• Do I need to submit my transcripts?

  Once you submit your Columbia transfer application, notify Marcia Thomas at the American Academy of Art who will provide Columbia with your American Academy of Art and high school transcripts.

  If you attended another college or university, or earned AP/IB/CLEP credit, you would need to request those official transcripts to be sent to Columbia at admissions@colum.edu. 

• Will I be able to complete my degree on my current timeline?

  Every effort will be made to ensure that American Academy of Art students remain on track to earn their degrees on their current timeline.

• What are my next steps?

  Once you have submitted your transfer application, notified the American Academy of Art, and submitted any additional transcripts required, be sure to watch your email for virtual counselor appointments.

• Where will I attend class?

  Columbia College Chicago is located in the South Loop of Chicago.

• I have already signed my lease with the University Center (UC). Will that still work when I transfer to Columbia?
  Yes! Your lease is private and you will continue to pay them directly. If you would like to move to Columbia's reserved housing for the 2025-26 school year, you will not renew your UC lease and watch your Columbia email in spring 2025.
• When do classes start?

  The start of the Columbia Fall term begins on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

• Can I schedule a visit to Columbia?

  Yes, you can visit our Campus Visits site for a general tour. More information on an American Academy of Art College-specific visit is coming soon.

• Are Columbia programs accredited?

  Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• Is Columbia the only option I have to complete my degree?

  As an approved teach-out institution for the American Academy of Art, Columbia can offer you many benefits including; acceptance of up to 107 credits toward your degree, a commitment to maintaining your timeline to graduation, and a low tuition. However, there are several other colleges in the area that may be a transfer option. Please see the list here.

Academic Program Match

American Academy of Art students can choose to apply to any of Columbia College Chicago’s available majors, with the following having the most overlap. Click on the links to learn more about the programs.

American Academy of Art Program	Columbia College Chicago Program(s)
3-D Modeling / Animation	Animation Game Art Game Design
Art Direction	Advertising Graphic Design Illustration
Digital Illustration	Animation Graphic Design Illustration
Graphic Design	Graphic Design
Illustration	Animation Illustration
Life Drawing	Fine Arts Illustration
Multimedia Design	Graphic Design User Experience and Interaction Design
Painting - Oil	Fine Arts
Painting - Watercolor	Fine Arts
Photography	Graphic Design Photography