Info For:
Transfer Students
Welcome to your new college!
Food is Your Community
Continue Your College Journey at CIA
Transfer to CIA and use your previous college experiences to pursue an exciting career in the food and hospitality industry. You could apply relevant earned credits, life achievements, and select exam results toward your degree. Use CIA’s online database to find out if your credits will transfer. Our admissions staff is ready to ensure your smooth transition to CIA.
Qualify for Financial Aid and Scholarships
CIA offers a variety of student scholarships—we awarded more than $36 million in 2020–2021 alone! All transfer students are eligible for the same financial aid and scholarship opportunities as CIA freshman entering directly from high school.
Learn About Transferring Credits
Use your college credits to pursue an exciting career in the food and hospitality industry. You could reduce your time at CIA by a semester when transferring in a minimum of 12 credits that meet degree requirements. Completing your degree faster and getting out into the industry ASAP!
Already Have Significant Credits?
Apply credits you’ve already earned to CIA’s bachelor’s degree completion program in culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. This special degree program is just for students who have already earned 30+ credits. Get the food career you’ve always dreamed of.
Already Have Professional Experience?
Earn your CIA associate degree in as little as 15 months with CIA’s Turbo Option. If you have full-time, hands-on work experience in a professional kitchen that features progressive levels of responsibility, this program is for you. Focus your new CIA degree in culinary arts or baking and pastry arts and advance your career forward.
Fast Track Your Application
When you apply online, choose the “fast track” option. This automatically activates a personalized assessment of your transfer credits—helping you save money!
Fit Right In
Want to attend unique food events, research recipes, talk food shows, participate in competitions, or just hang out? Join our passionate food community. There’s so much to do with your new-found friends on campus, in and out of class.
FAQs—Got Questions?
Check our FAQs for Transfer Students. Remember you can always reach out to CIA’s Enrollment Team with any questions at [email protected] or 1-800-CULINARY.
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What should I know before transferring to CIA?
Start with your CIA major! Knowing your major will help give you a more accurate count of your transfer credits. If you’re not sure, check out our Major in a Minute video series. Hear what current CIA students have to say about their major—in just sixty seconds!
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What credits does CIA accept?
CIA accepts general education and business management courses but how the credits will be applied depends on the major you select.
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How long will it take me to graduate with my transfer credits?
It depends on the number of courses you transfer and the major selected. You could reduce your time at the CIA by a semester when transferring in a minimum of 12 credits that meet degree requirements. Or more if you qualify for our Turbo Option or Degree Completion Program. Apply now to find out if your college credits can be used toward a CIA degree!
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Do you accept culinary/baking credits?
Your passion for food is tailor-made for a CIA degree program. The unique learning, teamwork, and food-focused academics you’ll experience every day will help you grow and fully discover this exciting profession. Therefore, due to the highly specialized nature of a CIA education we do not accept culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, or hospitality and service management (restaurant) courses.
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What AP (Advanced Placement) scores transfer into CIA?
CIA requires a minimum score of 4 for AP general education exams and a score of 3 for AP math exams.
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Can I test out of a class? If so, how?
Yes. CIA offers students the Math Challenge Exam for CIA’s Math Foundations course. Once you have been accepted and make your deposit, you’ll have the opportunity to take the exam. CIA also accepts other exams like CLEP (College-Level Examination Program), IB (Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate), and the NYU Foreign Language Exam. Students must receive qualifying scores as determined by grading authority.
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Is there a minimum grade requirement to transfer a class?
Yes, students must have completed the courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better for undergraduate courses. Transferred courses are not calculated into a student’s overall grade point average.
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Am I eligible for CIA’s Degree Completion Program?
CIA requires 30 transfer credits to be eligible for Degree Completion program. Please speak with Admissions Counselor Lindsey Delvecchio who will be able to assist you in determining your eligibility for the program.
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What are the most general courses I could take at a community college before attending CIA?
- Micro/Macro Economics
- Foreign Language 1 and 2
- Two 3.0 credit History courses
- College Writing
- Literature and Composition
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Can I take college courses elsewhere while attending CIA?
No, all requests for transfer credit must be submitted by the end of your first semester of your program. Once you’re enrolled in a degree program, you’re expected to complete the remainder of the degree requirements (after transfer credit has been awarded) at CIA.
Application Process
Applying to CIA
- Check out the enrollment dates for the program you’re interested in and apply for admission. CIA enrolls students three times a year, so you can start when it’s best for you.
- File your FAFSA to determine your financial aid opportunities. This way, you’ll be reviewed for scholarships and financial aid immediately.
Benefits and Opportunities
Transfer Credits
Save time and money by transferring college credits to CIA.
CIA Turbo Option
Gain college credit for your prior food industry experience and you could have your degree in as little as 15 months.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion
Especially for students with 30+ college credits, this program immerses you in our kitchens or bakeshops.
Scholarships
CIA offers generous scholarships—and awarded over $40 million last year alone.
Industry’s Best Career Fair
Nearly 475 food and hospitality companies visited CIA looking to hire in 2023—resulting in over 4,000 reported interviews with highly interested employers.
Unrivaled Network
The food world’s most powerful alumni network—50k+ strong—that not only hire CIA grads, but also help make the connections to advance careers.
Built-in, Paid Internship
World-class paid internships at one of 2,000+ CIA-approved organizations.
College Life with a Culinary Twist
Join a diverse, close-knit community where everyone speaks your language—food!
Connect with someone now
Chat with a Transfer Student
Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.
CIA Campuses
Be part of a vibrant campus and close-knit community, where everyone speaks your language—food.
Discover all that CIA has to offer beyond the classroom with our full array of athletics, activities, student services, and delicious dining options. From open mic nights and interactive student groups to off-campus adventures and friendly campus cook-offs, we have countless ways to get involved and meet new people. Did we mention every dorm has a full-sized kitchen?
Connect with Us
Here’s what happening at CIA…
Contact Us
Lindsey Delvecchio
Admissions Counselor
Specializes in assisting transfer students
Amanda Stevens
Assistant Director—International Admissions
Specializes in assisting international students