Transfer Information for Kansas City Art Institute

Office of Admissions

4415 Warwick

Kansas City, MO 64111 

Transfer Admission Procedures/Qualifications

Application: 

• Submit application online to complete the KCAI admission.  
• No application fee is required.
• Request official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities. Students who have earned fewer than 24 college credits are required to submit a high school transcript or GED.
• Application deadline: March 1. After March 1, admission is rolling depending on availability of space. 

Personal Statement: 

• Approximately 500 words statement indicating the students background in art, artistic goals, and career goals.

Letters of Recommendation: 

• One letter of recommendation is recommended from teachers, professional artists or employers who are familiar with your work and work ethic.
• Forms are provided but not required for recommendation.

Portfolio Evaluation:

• Portfolio review and course evaluations will be determined by an Admissions Committee.
• Visit KCAI portfolio for specific submission requirements.   

Transfer Qualifications:

• Minimum recommended cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

ACT/SAT Scores:

• ACT/SAT test scores are Not required for admission.

Campus Visits: 

• To arrange a campus visit at KCAI, contact Admissions or call 800-522-5224 to schedule a tour.

Tuition/Fees/Expenses

Tuition/Fees: 

$44,000 (12-18 credits) 

Books and Supplies:

Estimated: $1000 Foundation students/$800 all other majors

Campus Fee: 

$850

Technology Fee:

$650

Health and Wellness Fee:

$174

Room and Board: 

• Double Room: (two semesters): $10,050
• 19 meals per week plan: $4,050
• 14 meals per week plan: $3,640

Est. Additional Expense:

$5,874 (personal and transportation) 

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Application Deadline: March 1 – priority scholarship deadline

Transfer Credit/Grading Policies

Application of Credit:

• No specific limit, but placement is based on portfolio review and number of studio credit hours. A maximum of 63 credit hours may be transferred.

GPA Calculation:

• Calculation of GPA for the bachelor’s degree includes those grades from course work taken at KCAI only.

Pass/Fail: 

• Accepted, provided a Pass grade is equivalent to a “C” or higher.

“D” Grades:

• Not acceptable.

Time Limit on Credit: 

• No time limit on age of credit earned.

Credit Given For: 

• Department proficiency exams, AP test in liberal arts administered through College Board Tests, CLEP (up to 15 hours).

Special Programs

• Internships are available through all departments in areas across the country.
• Foreign study available in junior year to several countries and domestic exchanges available through AICAD, which includes over 35 independent art and design colleges throughout the United States, four affiliated Canadian colleges, and select colleges in Singapore, China and the UK.

It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to check for updates to all transfer information. This transfer guide is provided as a service and is updated as needed. Degree requirements at the four-year colleges are subject to change by those institutions. To ensure you have the most accurate information about the program, you must meet with an advisor at the transfer institution.