Semester Exchange

KCAI offers students the opportunity to study domestically or internationally for a semester at one of our participating exchange partners. The exchange semester is normally during the junior year. Students interested in this opportunity must have a 3.0 GPA and apply to KCAI's exchange program. The application deadline for fall exchange is the first Friday of the preceding March. The application for spring exchange is the first Friday of the preceding October.

Student Exchange Requirements

ELIGIBILITY:
To apply to the exchange program, you must be a full-time KCAI student with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. The proposed exchange semester should be in your junior year, or the second semester of your sophomore year at the earliest. You need two recommendations and an official transcript, (from the Registrar's office). A statement of purpose addressing how the proposed exchange will help your development as an artist must be written to accompany your application. You should be prepared to present a portfolio of work for review composed of 10-20 images or a comparable amount of videotape or other non-traditional documentation. Before leaving you will be required to sign and notarize a release form. The host school might also request a financial statement.
SELECTION:
Students will be approved for exchange based on the materials presented in their exchange application, (an application packet may be obtained from the Dircetor of Academic Resources), GPA, the appropriateness of the proposed program, and their personal maturity and ability to handle new situations. The number of students who may participate in overseas exchange is limited by our agreements with those schools and some of the domestic institutions have limited the number of students who may participate in their programs as well. The final decision of who may apply for exchange lies with the Dean of Faculty, based on application information. The exchange host school must then accept the student.
ACADEMIC CREDIT:
In most cases you will not earn quite as much academic credit during the exchange semester as you would if you were taking 18 credits at KCAI. You need to take this into consideration as you plan and speak with the Director of Academic Resources about how you may make up those credits.
DEADLINES:
You need to plan and apply for exchange well in advance of the semester in which you plan to go, which is generally in your junior year. The deadline for application for exchange programs is published in the class schedule and student handbook. It is normally around October 1 for spring exchange and March 1 for fall exchange.
EXPENSES:
The cost of the exchange will vary somewhat depending on the agreement that KCAI has with the particular institution you plan to attend. In all cases, the KCAI tuition must be paid before you depart for your exchange semester or by the regular tuition deadline, (whichever is earliest). In some cases, the studio and health fees will also be paid to KCAI and in some cases they will be paid to the host institution. You must remember to consider the cost of transportation as you plan your budget, as well as the higher cost of living in most cities. Housing is the responsibility of the student. The Director of Academic Resources will try to provide you with contacts at the host institution.

If you are currently receiving financial aid, you will probably be eligible to receive financial aid for exchange programs. Those receiving government benefits such as Veterans Administration, Voc Rehab or Social Security should check with Financial Aid to see if off-campus programs are covered. Students who plan ahead have a much better chance of receiving aid.

For more information, contact the Director of Academic Resources.
For a procedures list, download the pdf, STUDENT EXCHANGE PROCEDURES.