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 and 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. For 2020 RMCAD Graduate Outcome Data, click here.
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
Photography Campus
Photography Online
Music Production 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 area. 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 7 p.m. MST.
Students that have been admitted to RMCAD may request reasonable academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To request accommodations, students should self-identify to the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator at sas@rmcad.edu. We determine accommodations individually based upon request of the student, supporting documentation showing evidence of current impact, and reasonable accommodations in the post-secondary environment.
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. Eight-week terms also provide accommodations such as giving students the ability to earn more scholarships for each term.
RMCAD’s default rate was 3.4% for the 2019 3-year cohort, and 10.4% for the 2018 3-year cohort.
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.
It’s fairly easy to change majors within your first 30 credits (the typical freshman year course load), so if you find yourself drawn to an area of study beyond your initial major, you’ll have the ability to switch.
Courses taken at a regionally accredited school, such as RMCAD, are far more likely to be accepted as transfer courses, than are courses from a school that is not regionally accredited. For further information about transferring, visit our transfer overview page, and contact an Admissions Counselor to have your transcripts evaluated.
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.
No. Generous scholarships are available through the Admissions Office, but most students still find themselves with a gap that is not covered by financial aid. You should apply early for both admissions and financial aid to determine your actual gap.
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.
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.
