FAQs
Get to Know Us
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. The average size for on-ground classes is 11 students, and the average size for online classes is 15 students.
Note: These numbers are based on the Fall 2021 term.
When they’re not devoting time toward art and design projects, many students work nearby, and most spend their free time enjoying the cultural and recreational opportunities that are abound in Denver. In addition, several students get involved by attending on-campus or virtual events, joining RMCAD’s clubs or organizations, or getting involved in the Explore Colorado program.
To view graduation rates, transfer rates, job placement rates, program length, and specific costs, select the degree program below.
BFA PROGRAMS
2D Animation Campus
2D Animation Online
3D Animation Campus
3D Animation Online
Art Education Campus
Art Education Online
Fashion Design Campus
Fashion Design Online
Fine Arts Campus
Game Art Campus
Game Art Online
Graphic Design Campus
Graphic Design Online
Illustration Campus
Illustration Online
Illustrative Design Campus
Illustrative Design Online
Interior Design Campus
Interior Design Online
Music Production Online
Photography Campus
Photography Online
MA PROGRAM
While RMCAD does not offer on-campus housing, many of our first-time students live at the Assembly which is about 10 minutes from campus. The Assembly houses RMCAD students as well as those attending classes at Metro, CCD, and CU-Denver. Other students choose to live in a variety of nearby apartments or with relatives or friends in the greater Denver Metro areas. For more information on housing options, please click here.
The campus is open Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. MST and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, the College affirms its commitment to seek to achieve reasonable accommodations for students who have documented disabilities. Prior to admission acceptance, the College will provide general information upon request.
Once enrolled, students are responsible for initiating a request for accommodations by disclosing their disability to the office of Student Accessibility Services (sas@rmcad.edu) and providing the required supporting documentation. The office of Student Accessibility Services will provide additional information to students requesting accommodations, such as standards for required documentation and specific policies regarding the use of accommodations. An individual’s needs must be communicated to the Director of Student Accessibility Services before accommodations will be made.
Academic Advisors are available to answer questions and field concerns. You may also submit your concern here. If you feel that your complaint cannot be handled internally, click here for a list of resources in all 50 states.
For more detailed information about our student demographics, click here
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is structured in eight-week terms to prepare the next generation of young artists for today’s workforce. This format emulates the creative industries where they will be working following their time as a RMCAD student. As an accredited educational institution, it is our responsibility to prepare our students for what they can expect as working professionals.
For more information, read Four benefits of term schedules vs. the traditional semester schedule.
RMCAD’s Cohort Default Rate in 2019 was 3.4% for the three-year cohort, and 10.4% for the 2018 three-year cohort.
ORIENTATION QUESTIONS
We host on campus and virtual orientations at the beginning of each term to help students get to know each other and become familiar with the RMCAD campus and our policies/procedures. For more information, visit our Orientation Page.
All the hardware and software you will need varies by degree program. Visit the Course Materials page for more information.
Our staff of professional security guards patrol the campus to ensure a safe and secure environment. RMCAD also provides security lighting around campus, strategically placed call boxes, and frequent presentations on personal safety. As indicated by our Campus Safety Report, we have very little crime on campus.
We understand that students might find themselves drawn to an area of study beyond their initial major or want to follow a specific concentration/area of study, so RMCAD developed a step-by-step process to allow students to change majors or campuses (on campus vs. online). These changes can occur once per year and students interested should contact their Academic Advisor to get started.
RMCAD accepts transfer credits. For further information about transferring, visit our transfer overview page, and contact an Admissions Counselor to have your transcripts evaluated.
FINANICAL AID AND PAYMENT QUESTIONS
Tuition is due in full at the start of the term. Payment is due on the first day of the month in which classes start.
RMCAD offers a four-month payment plan, allowing you to split up your tuition incrementally. For example, if you were to sign up in the fall, your tuition would be billed in four equal installments in September, October, November, and December, helping to ease the financial burden. Please make payments by cash, check, or credit card. You can visit or call Student Accounts at 303-567-7285 to sign up.
If you’ve been awarded a RMCAD scholarship, the amount of that award will be deducted from your tuition billing statement(s). Other financial aid, such as federal grants and loans, will also be applied as credits to your account, but only if you’ve completed all of your financial aid paperwork well in advance of when your first bill is issued. If you have not completed your financial aid paperwork at the time tuition is due, your account may be subject to late fees and interest charges.
Contact Financial Aid:
303-753-6046
financialaid@rmcad.edu
For most students, there will not be enough financial aid to cover the full cost of tuition, unless the parents borrow a Federal Parent PLUS loan. The financial aid will be based on financial need, which is usually less than the cost of attendance.
Books and supplies are not included in your tuition charge. You can view the required books you’ll need to purchase for your courses here. Supplies may be purchased in our campus supply store—SPECTRUM, a Denver art supply store, or online.
Yes, you may set up a pre-paid supply store account through the Student Accounts Coordinator (office located on the 3rd floor of Texas Building). You can open this account and/or add money to it at any time throughout the term.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
RMCAD’s Office of the Registrar takes the guesswork out of registration by scheduling your first two semesters for you. In fact, we’ll put a schedule together for you each year to ensure you get the courses you need, when you need them, ensuring timely graduation. You will also have the benefit of knowing your course schedule at least two semesters in advance.
RMCAD will only register students in courses they need. If the timing of class does not work, the Office of the Registrar will attempt to find alternate courses or course times, however there are no guarantees. All students are welcome to take courses online in any given semester if that is a better schedule fit. RMCAD recommends that you share your schedule mapping out the year with your employer(s) to ensure your school schedule will work for you.
Schedule changes are reviewed by your Student Advisor who will send any requests to the Office of the Registrar for approval. Schedule changes are not guaranteed and can result in delayed graduation or mandatory part time (three or less courses per semester).
Yes, in most cases, students are able to choose electives in Liberal Arts and Studio courses. Work with your Student Advisor to identify your preferences.
The Office of the Registrar will evaluate your prior college transcript(s) to identify courses that will transfer to your RMCAD degree program. Your schedule will be finalized once the transfer evaluation is complete.
Currently, RMCAD’s courses run primarily throughout the day. Students are not able to complete a degree utilizing night and weekend courses. However, students do have the flexibility of taking some or all courses through our engaging online platform. The online option is also effective for those who are traveling for extended periods of time or go home for the summer.
Students typically attend year round. However, we have built some flexibility in our scheduling to allow time to take a break. Some courses are only offered once a year in a specific semester – be sure to work with your Student Advisor if you plan to take time off.
Students are welcome to attend part time. However, attending part time will delay graduation and may impact students’ ability to receive federal student aid.
RMCAD faculty and staff have worked hard to create an effective sequence of courses to provide the most enriching student experience possible. As a result, dropping or failing a course at RMCAD can lead to delayed graduation and may impact student’s ability to receive federal student aid.
