Alumni spotlight

Degree options

Major

A sample of degree options for this offering

BA in Art History

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History draws on the depth and diversity of offerings in the scholarly study of art practices that only a major art school connected with a world-class museum can offer. The international networks for contemporary art are an important part of the course offerings, and we offer a wide range of classes in Asian, African, Latin American, European, and North American Art. Substantial coursework in Art History, supported by additional coursework in Liberal Arts and in studio departments define the course of study.

Offerings: Major

BFA with an Emphasis in Art Education

The Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Art Education program educates students to become teachers of art, design, and visual culture while continuing to strengthen their own artmaking practices. SAIC'S Art Education community supports students in becoming engaged and reflective teacher artists whose pedagogical work fosters the emergence of more just and joyous individuals and societies.

Offerings: Major

BFA with an Emphasis in Writing

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing degree at SAIC emphasizes a process-based approach to creative writing—one in which students experience writing across genre and in interdisciplinary and hybrid modes. Fully integrated into SAIC’s studio departments, you will explore the relationship between language and visual art by connecting writing to comics, graphic novels, artist’s books, painting, performance, film, sound, and gallery installations.

Offerings: Major

Local area

Chicago, Illinois

Our campus is comprised of 12 buildings in Chicago’s downtown tourist and high-end residential district. We are located in the middle of the city’s premier gathering spaces, surrounded by lake Michigan, Millennium and Maggie Daley parks, the Art Institute of Chicago museum and numerous theaters and cultural institutions. Our urban campus includes vibrant green spaces where you can relax on the lush grass, stroll among wildflowers, enjoy public art, rock climb, ice skate, picnic, and see free concerts.

Top things to do

Student groups

Student-run groups and organizations

Student Government

Leadership & Service

SAIC Trans Artists Coalition

Academic

Dungeons and Dragons at SAIC

Miscellaneous

Parlor Room

Miscellaneous

Study away & study abroad

Your education at SAIC extends beyond the classroom. You’ll enroll in six credits of off-campus study to experience culture, refine career objectives, and establish strong professional connections. Choose from an amazing array of internships, take a study trip around the country and/or across the globe (recent trips include L.A., India, Cuba, Chile, Berlin, Italy, and Japan), spend a semester abroad, or study glassblowing, printmaking, casting, papermaking, painting & drawing, ceramics, printmaking and more at Ox-Bow School of Art, our idyllic nature retreat/satellite campus in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Featured programs

Study Abroad in England: University of the Arts London

Location: London, England

Program length: Semester

SAIC Scholars Program

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Scholars have a unique opportunity to fulfill studio and off-campus study requirements through an academic program whose highlight is an immersive study trip to Siena, Italy. SAIC Scholars are selected based on a holistic review of their admission application.

Location: Siena, Italy