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).
International Students
International Students
Cranbrook Academy of Art is “home” to students from many different countries during their two years of study on our historic campus.
English language skills
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) is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English. The minimum acceptable score for admission is 90. TOEFL 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.
Students who have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English but which is located in a country where English is not the primary spoken language are not automatically granted a TOEFL exemption. If your degree is from such an institution, please contact Vanessa Lucero Mazei (vmazei@cranbrook.edu) to discuss whether you qualify for a TOEFL exemption.
Note: Native English speakers from countries in which English is the primary spoken language are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
ESL programs and post-bacc programs do not satisfy the requirement for a TOEFL waiver. Please contact Vanessa Lucero Mazei (vmazei@cranbrook.edu) if you have question about your particular situation.
IELTS scores (academic version only, score of 7.0 or higher) may in rare instances be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL, at the Academy’s discretion and taking other relevant factors into account. Please contact Vanessa Lucero Mazei (vmazei@cranbrook.edu) to discuss your particular situation.
To be eligible for a TOEFL waiver, you must have:
To be eligible for a TOEFL waiver, you must have:
- Received (or will receive prior to Fall 2024) a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language.
- Completed your studies within the past two years, if you are not currently enrolled (please contact the Admissions Office to discuss your situation, as an exemption may be possible based on your particular circumstances).
Degree & Transcript Requirements
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (for admission for Fall 2024, degrees currently in progress must be granted prior to matriculation in September 2024). 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 chose to attend Cranbrook will be asked to provide official transcripts from every school they have attended and will be provided with appropriate instructions.
Visa information
International students who are accepted to the Academy must obtain a student visa.
Visa information
International students who are accepted to the Academy must obtain a student visa.
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.
Important information about our campus
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.
International Student Services
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.