ACICS Accredited Bachelor to State Master Question

Greetings,

I am seeking guidance for applying for graduate school. I have a B.S. in graphic design from an ACICS accredited school (Art Institute of California) and as I understand it, most RA schools do not accept ACICS credits. Please advise what is required for me to become eligible for master’s programs at State universities. I have changed my career path from graphic design to marketing three years ago and am now seriously considering a master’s degree in marketing or business management to better my knowledge and advance my growth.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The survey of registrars and admissions officers of RA schools that I did ten years ago suggested that about 40% would always or usually accept nationally-accredited degrees (such as ACICS), while 40% rarely or never accepted them. Since the Art Institute is a long-established and well-regarded school, I strongly suspect that most of those 40% acceptors (or whatever the percentage is now) would consider it. No harm in asking.

 

Thanks, John. That is good to hear.

What would I have to do in order to get into those schools that do not accept my credits?

 

"What would I have to do in order to get into those schools that do not accept my credits?"

No simple answer. The reason I always put a "ending the rules" section in my books is bercause they are regularly bent, which simply means that one should not always accept what one finds in writing (at least at first). At the Master's level, it really helps to have a 'promoter' -- someone on the faculty who might come to your aid. Some people attempt this by perusing the faculty list -- and the things people have published -- and attempting to start an interaction. "Dear Professor Blodgett I read with great interest your article on . . ." And if a relationship is established, then saying, "I have an accredited Bachelors, and would love to my Master's at . . . but I'm having a bit of a problem with your admissions department . . ."

 

Thanks, John. Can the credits (or prerequisite courses) be completed at a community college if I choose not to go through a promoter?

 

Thanks again, John. Is it possible to complete the credits at a community college if I do not want to go through a promoter?