Organizer Information
Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is an independent, nonprofit, accredited art and design college located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The college offers undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and a graduate Master of Professional Studies in UX Design, with instruction centered on studio practice, design, technology, creative practice, and professional development.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Columbus College of Art & Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA / MPS
- Academic Fields: Art, Design, Animation, Film & Video, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture & Design, Fashion, Comics & Narrative Practice, UX Design
- Relevant Programs: Animation; Comics & Narrative Practice; Fashion Design; Film & Video; Fine Arts; Game Art & Design; Graphic Design; Illustration; Interior Architecture & Design; MPS in UX Design
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 priority deadline
- Start of Studies: 23 August 2027 for Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $65 MPS in UX Design
- Tuition: $43,300/year undergraduate; $10,440/year for the MPS fall/spring schedule
- Funding: Institutional scholarships for admitted undergraduate students; scholarship opportunities are available for the MPS in UX Design.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- CCAD's undergraduate programs cover animation, comics and narrative practice, fashion design, film and video, fine arts, game art and design, graphic design, illustration, and interior architecture and design. Its graduate offering is the online, part-time MPS in UX Design.
- The BFA programs are studio- and portfolio-oriented. For undergraduate admission, applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their creative skills and ideas. The portfolio may include a broad range of creative work, including visual, written, designed, built, or time-based work.
General Eligibility
- CCAD accepts undergraduate applicants through its CCAD application or the Common Application. First-year applicants must submit an official high-school transcript and portfolio. International undergraduate applicants must meet CCAD's international transcript and English-proficiency requirements.
- For the MPS in UX Design, applicants must have a four-year degree or be completing one before beginning graduate study. The program is designed for applicants from design and other professional backgrounds; CCAD specifically asks applicants changing industries to explain how their previous experience has prepared them for advanced design work.
- International applicants are accepted. Undergraduate applicants whose country does not have English as its sole official language must demonstrate English proficiency. International transcripts must be evaluated through WES, ECE, or One Earth, and CCAD requires a 2.5 GPA or higher for international applicants.
Language Requirements
- For international undergraduate applicants, CCAD accepts:
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 61
- IELTS: minimum 6.0
- PTE Academic: minimum 45
- ELS: completion of Level 109
- Duolingo: minimum 90
- CCAD accepts the TOEFL at-home and IELTS online examinations.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| BFA programs | Undergraduate | $50 |
| MPS in UX Design | Graduate | $65 |
Both application fees are non-refundable. Limited fee waivers are available for the relevant applications.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Billing Structure | Tuition | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFA programs | 12–18 credit hours/year | $43,300/year | $795 one-time art supply fee for first-year and transfer students |
| BFA programs | Additional credit | $1,443/credit | — |
| MPS in UX Design | 6 credits per fall/spring semester | $5,220/semester | $300 one-time tuition deposit |
| MPS in UX Design | Fall + Spring schedule | $10,440/year | $65 application fee |
| MPS in UX Design | Summer, 3 credits | $2,670/semester | — |
CCAD also lists housing and meal costs separately. The first-year Gold Meal Plan is required for residential first-year students.
Funding & Financial Support
Every admitted undergraduate student at CCAD receives an institutional scholarship. CCAD also offers financial-aid programs and Creative Pathway tuition assistance; eligibility and FAFSA requirements apply to specific forms of aid. The MPS in UX Design lists scholarship opportunities.
University Services & Academic Support
CCAD provides academic advising for individualized academic planning, scheduling, and academic concerns. Students also have access to Packard Library's research resources, archives, special collections, librarians, and IT support. The Office of Creative Careers & Collaboration provides career coaching, internships, employment opportunities, industry connections, and professional-development resources.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must submit:
- CCAD or Common Application
- $50 application fee
- Portfolio
- Official high-school transcript
International undergraduate applicants must also provide an accepted English-proficiency score and an evaluation of transcripts from every secondary and applicable collegiate institution.
Optional undergraduate materials include a written essay, ACT/SAT scores, AP/IB results, and a recommendation letter.
MPS in UX Design applicants must submit:
- Four-year degree
- Personal statement of up to 500 words
- CV/resume
- College transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- $65 application fee
A portfolio is optional for the MPS. CCAD states that the GRE and GMAT are not required.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Priority Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Start of Studies — Fall 2027: 23 August 2027
- Start of Studies — Spring 2027: 19 January 2027
Location
Columbus College of Art & Design — Columbus, Ohio, United States
Additional Details
- The MPS in UX Design is a 30-credit, two-year, 100% online graduate program delivered on a part-time basis. It runs during CCAD's Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.
- CCAD's undergraduate portfolio requirement is institution-wide for first-year applicants, while the MPS in UX Design explicitly identifies its portfolio as optional. Applicants should therefore use the program-specific requirements rather than assuming that graduate portfolio requirements match undergraduate requirements.