Cranbrook Academy of Art is “home” to students from many different countries during their two years of study on our historic campus. Currently, our students are citizens of a dozen countries.
The international student information below applies to students who will study in the U.S. on a student visa (e.g., F-1).
An excellent command of the English language is required, as all students are expected to participate fully in critiques, readings, lectures, and discussions.
Students are expected to possess the necessary language skills when they arrive on campus. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English.
The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 93. Scores must be sent directly to Cranbrook Academy of Art by ETS; the Academy’s ETS reporting code is 1156. ETS will only report scores for two years.
The minimum IELTS acceptable score for admission is 7. Applicants must select Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Academy’s mailing address for scores to be released. The IELTS Academic Exam should be completed in a testing center. At this time, the IELTS Online isn’t accepted.
Exemptions
English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and Post-bacc programs do not satisfy the requirement for a language exemption.
For questions about TOEFL/IELTS or language exemptions, please contact Dean of Student Services, Vanessa Lucero Mazei or CAAadmissions@cranbrook.edu.
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (for admission for Fall 2025, degrees currently in progress must be granted prior to matriculation in September 2025).
If there is any question as to the degree equivalency, the applicant will be required to submit credentials to a verification service of the Academy’s choosing; the applicant will be required to pay the cost of the verification.
Unofficial bachelor’s degree transcripts are required as part of the admissions application, and you may choose to include additional transcripts if they are relevant (e.g., post-baccalaureate certificates); all transcripts must be translated into English, must include verification of degree if you are not currently enrolled, and must show courses in progress if you are currently enrolled.
Applicants who are accepted and choose to attend Cranbrook will be asked to provide official transcripts from every school they have attended and will be provided with appropriate instructions.
Accepted students who submit an enrollment deposit will be sent information regarding the documentation necessary to begin the visa process. Students will be required to submit documentation of available funds to pay for their first year of study and must certify that they will be able to fund the second year, as well. Please note: Applicants are accepted without regard to ability to pay, but for those who are accepted and choose to attend, proof of adequate funding is required before we can issue an I-20 to begin the visa process. It is important to understand that Cranbrook Academy of Art does not have undergraduate students, so funded teaching assistantships are not available. International students will be considered for non-need based aid, but we are unable to offer full funding for any student. Please contact the Manager of Enrollment and Financial Aid by emailing CAAFinanAid@cranbrook.edu with questions related to funding.
The Academy of Art is located on a beautiful campus nestled in the lovely suburban community of Bloomfield Hills in Michigan, USA. We offer dormitories for our students on a space-available basis. It is important to understand that this is an area that relies on personal automobiles for transportation – there are no stores within walking distance of the campus, and there is no public transportation available. Students without vehicles are responsible for arranging for their own transportation (including taxi cabs at their own expense) in order to shop for food, supplies, and necessities.
The Manager of Enrollment and Financial Aid, Julia Delagarza, processes student visa requests and maintains student data in the federal reporting system (SEVIS).
The Dean of Student Services, Vanessa Lucero Mazei, serves as the day-to-day liaison with international students and supervises several current Academy students who serve as international student peer advisors. She also assists students with the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process.