MHCC Integrated Media Program

Transfer Information

Interested in transferring after MHCC?

An official Articulation/Direct Transfer Agreement is in place with Pacific Northwest College of Art's BFA in Communication Design program. Since February 2009, graduates of the IM: GD program can transfer to PNCA as juniors (upon acceptance). Please contact MHCC's Chris Maier for details about this transfer opportunity. You can also contact Pearl Fisher, PNCA's Academic Adviser. Financial Aid questions can be direced to PNCA's Financial Aid Director Heidi Locke. Students who apply for financial aid through PNCA will have their budget re-evaluated for PNCA's higher tuition rates.

Several other schools that are worth a closer look (but without a formal articulation agreement):

Portland State University: Portland, Oregon. This is a four year public university with a BA/BS in Graphic Design. Make sure to check out the GD department blog for up to date information about how to apply through the Sophomore Portfolio Review.

Washington State University: Vancouver, Washington. This is a four year public university with a BA in Digital Technology and Culture.

Savannah College of Art and Design: SCAD has both Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia campuses, with many degree options to choose from. They even offer an eLearning option that may be attractive to those who want to stay in the Northwest.

Art Center College of Design: Pasadena, California. This is a four year private art school with many excellent degree options.

What you can do now

There are several steps you can take RIGHT NOW to ensure that the maximum amount of MHCC credits will transfer to other schools:

1. Let us know you’re interested in transferring.

Your advisor (Chris, Dana, Jack or JD) can sit down and talk about which school would be best for your career plans. Each school has a slightly different curriculum and emphasis.

2. Keep your grades up!

Most schools will only transfer in classes in which you’ve earned A or Bs. They may also have a GPA requirement of 3.0 to gain admission as a transfer student.

3. Make a portfolio for each class.

You’ll need to show your design work for each class. Not only will they look at the quality of work, that need to see exactly how our "outcomes" match their course "outcomes or learning objectives." Keep a notebook or binder that has the course syllabus, project briefs, and any other documents that describe the projects, outcomes. This can also include lecture notes. By making a separate notebook for each class, you’ll make it much easier for a transcript evaluator to give you maximum credit. Don’t expect them to "imagine" what you accomplished in a class based on a course number and grade on your transcript.

4. Take affordable general education MHCC classes.

COMMUNICATIONS: All schools will expect a full year of college-level writing. Take at least WR121 and WR122 at MHCC. Speech is also a common requirement within the Communications category. MHCC offers many Speech classes from which to choose.

MATH: Most schools will require 100-level(or higher) Math class. MHCC offers MTH105, MTH111 etc.

ART HISTORY: If you’re going to earn a BA or BFA in Graphic Design, you need to take a full year of Art History. MHCC offers ART204, ART205, ART206. Yes, you can take these classes later at the school you transfer to, but they will be 3 to 5 times more expensive.

SCIENCE: Some 4-year programs have science requirements as well, so it’s important to identify a school early on so you can select MHCC courses, again at a far more affordable rate. Taking these additional classes may mean you spend an extra term or two at MHCC, especially if you need to save money.

5. Most schools will not give credit for internships.

Internship credit is typically earned in your senior year at those schools, so they feel it is premature to give credit at the "200-level". So, rather than do a second year internship, take the IM291: IM Practicum classes.

6. Visit the campus.

Get a first-hand impression of a school you're considering. Each has it's own look and feel. This is really the best way to make an informed decision.