• Applicants must complete and submit the application online ($70 nonrefundable fee required)
• Writing Portfolio ($5 SlideRoom nonrefundable fee required)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé / Curriculum vitae
• College transcripts
• Personal essay
• Interview

Applicants must submit their portfolio online by registering for a SlideRoom account specifically for CCA applicants. Once an account is registered, instructions on how to create the portfolio will be provided.

Please Note: Supplemental portfolio materials sent separately to the Admissions Office are not accepted.

The portfolio must consist of two writing samples (5,000 words maximum per sample) demonstrating your interest in the field of visual and critical studies and your creative potential.

Please keep in mind that once your portfolio has been uploaded and submitted to the college no further changes can be made.

For assistance with technical issues regarding the online portfolio, email graduateprograms@cca.edu.

Please note the writing portfolio must be in PDF document format.

Please outline your educational and professional background and relevant experiences and activities, including community work. Please note resumes must be in PDF document format.

Two letters of recommendation are required from an academic or professional source. No personal recommendations, please. We use an electronic recommendation process, ensuring we receive your recommendations in a timely fashion and that it is convenient for your recommenders.

When submitting your electronic application, you can provide the email address for your recommenders. Your recommenders will receive the recommendation form electronically and then return it electronically to CCA.

Please note letters must be in PDF document format.

Unofficial transcripts are used for review purposes. Applicants are required to upload their unofficial transcript as a PDF document with the online application form.

Accepted and enrolled applicants will submit the official sealed transcript of their undergraduate coursework to Graduate Admission by August 1, 2019.

Applicants who have taken graduate coursework are welcome to also send transcripts in support of their graduate application.

For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

All admitted students who were still in the process of completing a bachelor's degree at the time of applying must send the final transcript before enrolling to verify completion of the bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than August 1, 2019.

Mail your official transcript to:

California College of the Arts
Enrollment Services Office -- Graduate Admissions
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107-2247

A personal essay of 500 to 1,000 words must accompany the application. The essay should be a clear statement of how the program fits into your writing and career goals and why mastery level exploration is desired.

It is best to describe what has influenced your desire to write about visual culture, mentioning the theories and texts that are of particular interest to you.

Please note essays must be in PDF document format.

Applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview with the graduate program manager or a faculty member.

English proficiency exams must be completed prior to submitting the application. Official English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) must be sent to the college directly from the testing agency.

International applications will be considered incomplete, and not reviewed until proof of English proficiency has been received.

Detailed requirements for international applicants.