But is it But is it ourour art? art?

Student Transfer in Student Transfer in Specialized ProgramsSpecialized Programs

Cynthia VardhanCynthia VardhanColumbus College of Art & DesignColumbus College of Art & Design

BackgroundBackground

60-66% of students transfer60-66% of students transfer11

79 percent of states have transfer and 79 percent of states have transfer and articulation agreementsarticulation agreements22

Only seven states include private Only seven states include private institutions like independent art institutions like independent art schoolsschools22

Fine art and technical courses are Fine art and technical courses are often not included in these often not included in these agreementsagreements33

1 Cheslock, J.J., (2005). Differences between public and private institutions of higher education in the enrollment of transfer students. Economics of Education Review, 24(3), 263-274; 2 Striplin, J.J. (1999). Vertical transfer: An examination of course transferability in the non-liberal arts in California. Community College Review, 28(1), 67-79.; 3Cohen, A. M. & Ignash, J.M. (1993). The scope and transferability of occupational courses in the two-yearcollege. Community College Review, 21(3), 68-77.

Logistical ProblemsLogistical Problems

Scarcity of art schoolsScarcity of art schools

Admission requirements and Admission requirements and capacitycapacity11

CommunicationCommunication

FinancesFinances221 British Columbia Council on Admissions & Transfer (1999). Transfer: What’s the Problem? BCCAT Special Report. Vancouver, B.C.: Author.; 2Stein, R.B. & Short, P.M. (2001). Collaboration in delivering higher education programs: Barriers and challenges. The Review of Higher Education, 24(4), 417-435.

Curricular ProblemsCurricular Problems

Foundation year requirementsFoundation year requirements

Curricular rigidityCurricular rigidity11

Curricular changesCurricular changes11

Lack of standardization & universality Lack of standardization & universality of methods and classesof methods and classes22

1 Striplin, J.J. (1999). Vertical transfer: An examination of course transferability in the non-liberal arts in California. Community College Review, 28(1), 67-79.; 2National Association of Schools of Art and Design (2005). Handbook 2005-2006. Reston, Virginia: Author.

Philosophical ProblemsPhilosophical Problems

Individuality of each school is highly Individuality of each school is highly valuedvalued11

Faculty and departments may resist Faculty and departments may resist transfer agreements based on transfer agreements based on prejudicesprejudices22

Current lack of specific national Current lack of specific national standardsstandards

1National Association of Schools of Art and Design (2005). Handbook 2005-2006. Reston, Virginia: Author. 2

Striplin, J.J. 1999). Vertical transfer: An examination of course transferability in the non-liberal arts in California. Community College Review, 8(1), 67-79.; Prager, Carolyn (1993). Transfer and articulation within colleges and universities. Journal of Higher Education, 64(5), 539- 554.

Potential SolutionsPotential Solutions

Agreements instigated & enforced by Agreements instigated & enforced by accreditation agenciesaccreditation agencies

Potential SolutionsPotential Solutions

Accreditation committeesAccreditation committees

Web-based transfer guideWeb-based transfer guide

Potential SolutionsPotential Solutions

Divisional agreements Divisional agreements

Geographical agreementsGeographical agreements

Collaborative degreesCollaborative degrees

ImplicationsImplications

Transferring to and from art schools will Transferring to and from art schools will continue to be awkward & difficultcontinue to be awkward & difficult

Agreements could be developed, but it Agreements could be developed, but it will be up to each institution to will be up to each institution to determine whether agreements could be determine whether agreements could be beneficialbeneficial

Unlikely that selective institutions would Unlikely that selective institutions would voluntarily join voluntarily join

ConclusionConclusion

Much more research specific to art Much more research specific to art schools neededschools needed