frequently asked questions

Don’t see the question you need answered? Please contact Admissions directly at 800.224.1536 or admissions@cva.edu.

What are the admissions requirements?
How can I arrange a campus visit and tour?
What should I put in my portfolio?
What accreditation does CVA have?
What is a typical academic year schedule?
Will I get a well-rounded liberal arts education at CVA?
What’s your student to teacher ratio?
How many faculty members teach at CVA?
What is a typical student workload?
Do you have study abroad opportunities?
What about transfer students, and transfer credit?

What are the admissions requirements and when do I apply?

Please see the Application Requirements section. Applications are considered on a rolling basis following receipt of all admissions requirements. For the fall 2013 semester, we recommend that students complete the admissions process prior the February 15 priority scholarship deadline. After February 15, scholarship and admission will be given based on availability. The Fall 2012 application is available. The spring 2013 priority scholarship deadline is December 1, 2012

How can I arrange a campus visit and tour?

Please see the visit campus section to schedule a time to view the college. We also offer tours during Admissions visit days.

What should I put in my portfolio?

Please visit Portfolio Process for tips on how to submit your portfolio.

What accreditation does CVA have?

The College of Visual Arts is a private, accredited, four-year college of art and design accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. We have had students successfully transfer credits to other institutions and our graduates have attended reputable graduate schools across the country.

What is a typical academic year schedule?

The CVA year is divided into two main semesters – the fall semester that usually begins right after Labor Day, and the spring semester, which usually begins right after Martin Luther King Day. The college also offers studio and liberal art courses in the summer. These courses are offered for credit and are usually elective studios.

Do I just take art classes? Will I get a well-rounded liberal arts education at CVA?

Yes! CVA requires that students complete 48 credits in the liberal arts. The writers, historians, architects and scientists on our faculty complement the practicing artists and designers by integrating the study of the visual and liberal arts. Learn botany through drawing and applied geometry through architecture; the anthropologist teaches world cultures and the art historian helps you develop context for your own work in the larger world of art and design. You also receive professional writing and rhetoric training throughout your studies, including everything from cover letters to resumes to polished research papers. Artist and design statements and project proposals combine with gallery talks and portfolio presentations to create a practical, effective communications skill set that will enhance and serve your career.

What’s your student to teacher ratio?

14:1 student to teacher ratio

How many faculty members teach at CVA?

The nine full-time faculty members and more than 40 adjunct faculty members give CVA students the advantage of learning from the Twin Cities most successful working artists and scholars in their fields. Please visit the Faculty directory.

What is a typical student workload?

On average, students register for between 12 and 18 credits (4 to 6 classes). Most students are in class for 20 to 30 hours per week and will spend the same amount of time in preparation, studying and the completion of projects.

Do you have study abroad programs?

Yes. Please visit Off-Campus Study Programs.

What about transfer students, and transfer credit?

Please visit Transfer & Enrollment Options.