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Future Undergraduate

Transfer

First, some basics. The College of Design has two types of undergraduate programs:

  • 2 + 2 Programs
  • Four or Five-Year Programs

2 + 2 Programs

In these majors, you will begin taking courses in your major immediately upon enrolling at Iowa State. You can start your studies in the fall, spring or summer semester. These majors apply the largest number of transfer credits toward degree completion.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter the job market or apply for many of the College of Design’s graduate programs. Students who choose one of these majors may be able to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the time it would take to complete just one of our four-or-five-year majors!

2+2 programs in the College of Design are:

Four or Five-Year Programs

These majors require the completion of our foundational Core Design Program and subsequent application for admission at the end of spring semester. In most cases, transfer credits will not accelerate time to degree completion, requiring you to be at Iowa State for four or five years after transferring. *

Four or Five-year programs are:

*Transferring from Art & Design Programs

The College of Design allows transfer students who have previously enrolled in art/design courses to apply for direct entry to our four and five year majors, bypassing our Core Design Program, in limited cases under the following circumstances:

  • Admitted to Iowa State University with fall semester entry selected
  • Completion of at least 30 academic credits including:
    • Three credits drawing
    • Three credits 3D design
    • Three credits art history
    • Remaining credits in general education courses relevant to major of interest (physics and calculus required for architecture hopefuls)
  • Submit application to Slideroom by May 15

Direct-entry admission is limited and subject to faculty review and availability. 

Tips for Future Transfer Students

Starting education at a university isn’t the right fit for everyone. As such, the College of Design has recommendations for those who wish to attend a community college or other institution before enrolling at Iowa State.

The College of Design strongly encourages those who start elsewhere to pursue coursework that will fulfill general education requirements at Iowa State. The college recommends following an AA degree plan that will provide courses in communications, humanities, social sciences, Math, and science.

To save time at the university, we suggest attending community college for one year only and mirroring our foundational Core program.  During this time students must earn at least 24 academic coursework credits and a minimum 2.25 GPA to be admissible to Iowa State but should see the above section on transferring from art and design programs to learn how to apply to bypass our Core program.

The College of Design discourages pursuit of AAS degrees for those who wish to transfer.

Additional Resources for Transfer Students

For additional information, contact Bryce Bonnstetter at brycebon@iastate.edu.

Transfer Plans

The College of Design has developed agreements with several Iowa community colleges that make it easier for you to transfer to Iowa State and complete a bachelor’s degree after earning an associate’s degree.

Des Moines Area Community College

Iowa Valley Community College District

(Ellsworth Community College, Marshalltown Community College and Grinnell Community College)

Kirkwood Community College

Northwest Iowa Community College

Western Iowa Technical Community College

AA in General Studies from an Iowa community college or equivalent

Important note about AAS degrees

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees largely contain credits labeled as Career/Technical. Note that a maximum of 16 credit hours of Career/Technical coursework can be transferred to Iowa State.