RMCAD
Graphic Design
ADMISSIONS
Start your future today
An artist is not simply defined by natural talent, but by the drive to learn, grow, and create.
At RMCAD, we believe that anyone with the passion to create art can learn to become an artist. That’s why our admissions process focuses on your future more son than your past. We want to make sure that—no matter your high school GPA or how developed your portfolio may be—you are a good fit for RMCAD, and we are the best fit for you.
Through our admissions process, we take the time to truly get to know you, and we give you the time to get to know us in return. Beyond your Admissions interview, we also encourage you to tour the campus, sit in on a class or two, and even meet with the Chair of your selected department. Working one-on-one with an Admissions Counselor, you’ll develop a clear path—toward your first day of classes, toward graduation, and, ultimately, toward a successful future in the world of art and design.
Contact Admissions
Your future at RMCAD starts with five simple steps. Apply online, or contact us directly to take your first step down that path today.
Phone: 303.753.6046
Toll-free: 800.888.ARTS
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
At RMCAD, we believe that anyone with the passion to create art can learn to become an artist. That’s why our admissions process focuses on your future more son than your past. We want to make sure that—no matter your high school GPA or how developed your portfolio may be—you are a good fit for RMCAD, and we are the best fit for you.
Through our admissions process, we take the time to truly get to know you, and we give you the time to get to know us in return. Beyond your Admissions interview, we also encourage you to tour the campus, sit in on a class or two, and even meet with the Chair of your selected department. Working one-on-one with an Admissions Counselor, you’ll develop a clear path—toward your first day of classes, toward graduation, and, ultimately, toward a successful future in the world of art and design.
Our admissions process involves the following steps:
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An interview with an Admissions Counselor
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Submission of a portfolio, artist statement, and admissions application
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Submission of the current year’s FAFSA and other Financial Aid documentation
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Submission of official high school and college transcripts (for transfer students)
Once all necessary materials are received, the Office of Admissions will issue a final admissions decision. From there, you’ll receive your first term’s schedule of classes, and we’ll see you on campus!
FIRST TIME STUDENTS
At RMCAD, we want to make sure we’re the right college for you. The admissions interview and application process are designed to make sure that you are equipped to succeed.
Our Foundations classes are designed to teach you solid techniques in areas such as painting and drawing, perspective, and composition, and our Liberal Arts classes will help you become a well-rounded and articulate professional.
All RMCAD students take at least a portion of their degree online, which allows you to develop skills such as time management and self-discipline and prepares you to enter a professional world dominated by technology and online interactions. We understand that you as a creative may learn differently than most people; our online classes are developed in-house and are delivered in our proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) designed for the way you learn.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
An easy transition, a better future.
It’s never too late to ensure your future is exactly what you want it to be.
If the world of art and design is your destiny, ensure that you’re taking all the right steps to fulfill it. Applying to RMCAD just may be the best place to start. Not every RMCAD student begins straight out of high school. In fact, about one-third of our students come to us with some college experience. If you’re considering transferring, we want to make that transition a positive and smooth one.
TRANSFER CREDIT CHECKLIST
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Request copies of your official college transcript
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Schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor
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Complete RMCAD application
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Apply for available scholarships and financial aid
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Submit your portfolio for review by our knowledgeable staff
RMCAD acknowledges that students enter college with varying degrees of art experience, and that some applicants may not have a current or traditional portfolio. Applicants without one are still encouraged to apply to RMCAD; but for those applicants that do have one, contact Admissions for further instructions.
TRANSFER CREDIT GUIDE
If you find that RMCAD is exactly what you’ve been looking for, you’ll want to see how your current credits transfer, determine your finances, and apply. This is where our Admissions Counselors come in. As your liaison to the RMCAD community, they’ll guide you in your application process, ensuring a seamless transition. From working with the Registrar to evaluate your previous transcripts, to discussing your financial aid and scholarship options, they’re here to help you every step of the way.
Transferring from a Colorado Community College? Be sure to read through our Colorado Community College Transfer Guide and Admissions Acceptance Agreement.
Notes from the Registrar
As you consider transferring to RMCAD, please keep in mind:
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Studio elective credits that can be transferred are limited based on your area of study. For most programs, a maximum of 12 credits will be accepted.
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A maximum of 60 credits can be earned from sources other than RMCAD coursework
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The last 15 credits of your degree program must be taken at RMCAD
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We only accept college-level courses (numbered at least 100 or 1000)
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Only courses completed with a grade of “C” or better will be considered for credit
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Grades from external credit are not factored into your RMCAD GPA
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We only accept credits from institutions accredited by NASAD, CIDA (only applicable to Interior Design programs), HLC or any of the other five regional accrediting associates
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However, we may award credit based on portfolio work at our discrection
Antiquity Policy
There are no antiquity limitations on courses that are deemed equivalent to lower division (1000/2000 level) RMCAD art and design courses. Digital media and other computer- or technology-based courses are considered for transfer provided they were completed within the last two years.
Associates of Arts Degree Transfers
Students who have received an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the US automatically receive credit for all liberal arts requirements except for AH1010 Art + Design History I, AH1020 Art + Design History II, and AH2010 History of Art + Design in the Non-Western World.
Official Transcript Evaluation
Figuring out which classes will transfer can be tricky, which is why having a transcript evaluation is so important. Submit your transcripts for evaluation by one of our Admissions Counselors.
Students who apply less than one month before the beginning of the term are considered late applicants. If you are a late applicant, you may save time by submitting unofficial transcripts with your application. Make sure to include both sides of all documents.
If you send unofficial transcripts, you’ll still need to arrange for our admissions office to receive official documents during your first term. We cannot grant transfer credits or allow you to register for additional terms until we’ve evaluated your official transcripts. If you enroll for a class that turns out to be transferable from a prior institution at a later date, you will not receive a refund.
Current RMCAD students who are also taking courses at another institution and would like to transfer those credits to RMCAD should submit official transcripts with final grades to the Registrar’s office as soon as they become available. Official transcripts are due no later than one term after completion of the course.
MILITARY STUDENTS
Proud to serve you.
Embark on a new journey, or hone the skills you developed while serving, all in a supportive and hands-on creative environment.
Contact a Military Admissions Counselor today to learn more about this designation and start pursuing your passion at RMCAD.
The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design community embraces active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents. Whether you pursue your studies on campus or online, we work tirelessly to help you achieve your goals in art, design, technology, and art education.
We strive to make the application process as seamless as possible, and have prepared a comprehensive Veterans Affairs Handbook for your reference. In addition, active duty military and veterans have the opportunity to use a combination of benefits to help cover both tuition and living expenses. We are proud to accept most military and national tuition benefit programs, including:
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Veterans Affairs
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Yellow Ribbon Program
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Department of Defense
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U.S. Student Financial Aid
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Dependent Benefit Programs
As an Unlimited Yellow Ribbon School, RMCAD allows students who are eligible for the program to fully fund their tuition through the Yellow Ribbon grant. RMCAD works to maximize the benefits available to qualifying military personnel, veterans and their dependents according to their individual terms of service and other factors affecting their education or training. We also encourage all of our potential creative scholars to take advantage of the slew of competitive scholarships that are available to our entire student community.
With cutting-edge degree programs in such rapidly evolving fields as animation and graphic design, our military students can also benefit from the RMCAD Renew Program, which gives graduates the opportunity to continuously refresh their skills and stay current within their respective creative fields. Graduates may audit any current course within their original degree program, whether core or elective, completely tuition-free. Our military graduates also gain permanent access to our Career and Alumni Services, which aid in job placement and career advice, no matter where you are in the world.
As a military applicant, you will benefit from personalized admissions counseling tailored to your specific needs, with round-the-clock access to knowledgeable advisors who are well-versed in Education Benefits Programs. On-campus military students also enjoy a discounted gym membership at all Lakewood Recreation Centers.
The military community at RMCAD is growing, and so is our commitment to helping you reach your creative and professional goals through education, support, and encouragement.
MILITARY TRANSFER CREDITS
Experience in the armed services may be evaluated for college credit based upon a review of official transcripts according to the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines and recommendations. Credit is considered for those courses that are Associate or Bachelor level, and that are deemed equivalent to courses in the corresponding RMCAD program of study that the student has applied for.
RMCAD will accept transcripts from:
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Joint Service Transcripts (JST)
Formerly Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS), Sailor Marine American Council On Education Registry Transcript (SMART) and Coast Guard
Active Duty Residency Requirements
Active Duty Military Students may transfer up to 75% of the credits required for their degree program including credit earned at an institution or through challenge examinations and standardized tests such as CLEP for specific academic disciplines.
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design does not provide credit for experiential learning.
Colorado - Advisory Council on Military Education
RMCAD has been accepted into the Colorado – Advisory Council on Military Education (CO-ACME). We look forward contributing as a member of the council and will continue to provide the very best educational opportunities to members of all military services.
CO-ACME is an organization of professionals who represent the local education, military, university and college communities. Their mission is to support, promote and deliver meaningful education within all branches of the Armed Services, emboldening education institutions to be innovative and flexible in meeting their education needs.
FINANCIAL AID
Financing your future.
A collegiate education is a substantial investment, but RMCAD gives you all of the financial tools to pay for your schooling and succeed in your career.
Financial Aid Checklist
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Apply for admission
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Complete the FAFSA for State and Federal Aid
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Talk to your Admissions Counselor about applying for RMCAD scholarships
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Talk to the Financial Aid office about any available work-study openings, and apply for private grants and scholarships
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Download our Federal Aid Policies for more information on financing your education.
Types of Financial Aid
Approximately 80% of our student body receives some form of financial aid. The four most common types of aid include loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.
STUDENT LOANS
Student Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Typically, a bank or the government acts as the lender, and you need to meet certain criteria to qualify. RMCAD participates in the Direct Loan Program, wherein the U.S. Department of Education is the lender. Loan applications and Promissory Notes are completed online, and funds are distributed via electronic funds transfer (EFT) from the lender to RMCAD to be applied directly to the student’s tuition account. Both student Stafford Loans and parent PLUS loans are available through this program.
GRANTS
Grants are considered "gift aid," generally based on financial need, and they do not have to be repaid. They are awarded based on financial need. Commonly awarded grants include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Colorado Student Grants.
Scholarships
Scholarships are like grants in that they do not need to be repaid; but they are awarded based on merit or ability. Learn more about scholarships and start applying today.
Work-Study
These programs provide a limited number of paying part-time jobs, either on campus or with a community service organization, to help pay for educational expenses. You may obtain Federal and Colorado state work-study applications from the Financial Aid office at the start of each term. Eligibility is determined by FAFSA results, and positions are limited, so apply as soon as possible.
Research and apply for as many grants and scholarships as you can. Loans are common, but beware that there are consequences for not making payments on time. Accepting a loan should be taken seriously.
In addition, most forms of financial aid require you to pass your classes, and to work toward earning your degree within a fixed amount of time. If you fail too many classes, or complete too few classes each term, you may have to return your financial aid award in part or in full. Carefully read the terms that accompany each loan, grant, or scholarship.
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
State and Federal Governments are the most common sources of financial aid, and you may apply for all government aid using a single form: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
For scholarships, private outside assistance is one of the best sources. Consider all of the groups, clubs, businesses, churches, and organizations in your community; each is a potential source for scholarships. Download our Federal Aid Policies for more information on financing your education.
FAFSA
The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for Federal grants, state aid, and student loans. Occasionally, we’ll require additional information to finalize your aid; you’ll be notified in writing if this is the case.
When completing the FAFSA, reference RMCAD’s school code: 013991. Make sure your FAFSA is 100 percent complete. Do not leave blanks—always answer “0,” “N/A” or “None” if you are unsure.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA ONLINE, AS IT WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE PROCESSING TIME BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS
Need to complete your financial aid documents? Click the links below to access and sign your financial aid paperwork: