Students who have just graduated are strongly encouraged to use WebAdvisor to print out a copy of their cumulative academic record while they still have access to WebAdvisor. It is free, and although unofficial, this document is useful and should be retained at home along with other vital papers. When an official transcript is needed, follow the instructions below to order.
How to request an official transcript
In Person
Alumni who need a copy of their academic record (called a “transcript”) may come to the Registrar’s Office and fill out a “Request for Transcript” form.
By mail or fax
Students can request a transcript by postal mail or fax (401-454-6724). Requests via email are not allowed due to privacy regulations regarding credit card information as well as authentication issues. Mail requests to:
Office of the Registrar
Rhode Island School of Design
Two College St.
Providence, RI 02903
Attn: transcripts
Students may download the Transcript Request Form or write out their own, including the student’s name during attendance at RISD, years of enrollment and major, the number of transcripts requested, where the transcripts should be sent, and a signature allowing us to release the transcripts.
Fees
The fee for each transcript ordered is $4.00. There is no discount for multiple orders to the same destination. If you order your transcript in person, you can pay by cash, check or Master Card or Visa. If ordering by mail, you can pay by check (made out to Rhode Island School of Design), or by credit card (Master Card or Visa, only). If ordering by fax, you must pay with a Master Card or Visa. If paying by credit card via mail or fax, include your Visa or MasterCard number, expiration date of the card, cvv or security code on the back of the card, and full billing address for the card. There is an additional fee for an emergency request or for special delivery options. See below for more information.
Processing time and Emergency requests
Transcripts are processed in the order received. Generally, they are processed within three business days, usually even faster, except during registration or certain times of the year when requests are especially heavy. At those times (first two weeks of the semester and the grading periods at the end of each term) transcript requests are generally processed within 5 days. Students are encouraged to plan transcript needs accordingly.
For an additional fee and during most days of the year, we will accept emergency requests which will be processed no later than the next business day if received prior to 2:00 p.m. The fee of $10.00 is in addition to the regular cost of the transcript. We work closely with students and alumni to meet their transcript needs, but we reserve the right not to accept an emergency request. Fortunately, such denials happen only rarely.
Expedited or express delivery options
U.S. Postal Express delivery or use of a private carrier, such as Federal Express, will be accommodated provided the student pays the fees or provides the pre-paid package. Current fees for express delivery are $25 for delivery within the United States, $30 for Canada or Mexico, and $50 for international delivery. Include the additional amount for this special delivery option in your request and provide explicit instructions with your request.
For additional information, email our main account at registrar@risd.edu.
Apostilles
Some countries outside of the United States require an “Apostille” on certain documents, usually diplomas or transcripts. The Registrar’s Office will take care of that service for you upon request and upon payment of the nominal fee. The fee, in the form of a check, must accompany the document and is made out to “Rhode Island Secretary of State” for the amount of $5.00. Please allow 7 to 10 days for processing.
Catalog statement on credit hours
RISD follows the credit hour assignment standard of its national accrediting body, NASAD. Normally, for undergraduate courses as well as most graduate courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least three hours of work each week (60 minute hours), on average, for the entire semester. In lecture/discussion courses requiring outside preparation one hour of credit represents one hour of work each week of the term in class, and two hours of work outside class. In studio/laboratory courses, one hour of credit represents three hours of studio/laboratory time and space each week of the term: normally, studio classes led by an instructor meet in-class for 5 hours per week for the usual three credit class; the remaining time is for studio/laboratory class preparation. Faculty contact is greater at the foundation level where the usual three credit class meets in-class for 7.5 hours.
