Academic Calendar System
- Two 16-week terms:
- Fall semester: late August to late December
- Spring semester: mid-January to mid-May
*Students must plan to attend for the entire semester.
Programs of Study Available for Exchange Students
Click here to explore MICA's individual academic departments and course offerings - course offerings vary by semester and are subject to change. Please click here to review the course schedules for current or past semesters.
- Animation
- Architectural Design
- Art History, Theory & Criticism
- Ceramics
- Drawing
- Fiber
- Film and Video
- Game Design
- General Fine Arts
- Graphic Design
- Humanistic Studies
- Illustration
- Interactive Arts
- Interdisciplinary Sculpture
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Product Design
Academic Information
Exchange students must enroll in a full-time course load of at least 12 credits. Generally speaking, exchange students and MICA students enroll in 15 credits (five classes) — 3 studio classes and 2 academic classes. Exchange students may take classes in their major area and in any other studio area for which they are qualified, space permitting.
Studio classes generally meet once per week for six hours. Most academic classes meet once per week for three hours. Students should expect to spend 45 hours a week engaged in learning activities both in and out of class. In most studio classes, students will do studio work and will participate in critiques and presentations. Exchange students are expected to attend all class meetings and complete all coursework. Grades and credits will be awarded at the end of the semester.
Class Schedule
Students should indicate their class preferences (in order of preference) in the appropriate place on the exchange application form. MICA will create a schedule based on a combination of the classes requested on the exchange application, class recommendations by MICA department chairs, student qualifications for classes that require prerequisites and availability.
Since we can't guarantee your preferred courses, please examine all available courses at MICA and list as many alternates your exchange application.
- Class names and descriptions for each undergraduate () department may be found online here.
- Select each department of interest under the heading "Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Programs."
- Then, within each department's page, select the link at the left of the page called "Course List" to see the department's list of classes. Note that not all classes will be offered every semester. A current schedule of courses by semester can be found here.
Students will work on their class schedules at the International Student Orientation. Once classes at MICA begin, students will have one week (called the "add/drop period") to make changes to their schedules if they wish. Upon completion of the student's exchange period at MICA, the Office of International Education will send an official transcript (record of courses and grades) to the exchange program coordinator at the student's home institution.
Academic and Intercultural Differences
Don’t hesitate to speak with a member of International Education staff or Student Affairs staff regarding any concerns you have. We can help you understand both U.S. culture and any transition issues you may be experiencing. Culture shock is a real condition that is quite normal and involves feelings of confusion, anxiety, and disorientation felt when adapting to a new, unfamiliar culture.
One of the first things J-1 students notice is the difference in teaching styles from their homeschooled experience. MICA, like many U.S. colleges and universities, offers a liberal arts curriculum that allows students to study the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For some students, this is a vastly different approach to learning. If you experience learning difficulties, please visit the OIE; we will help you navigate some of these complexities.
Please see our J-1 international student FAQ sheet here.