Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree provides you a broad education that balances thinking and making, academic rigor, and experimental play. The BFA curriculum integrates academic and studio education—the classroom and the studio inform and enhance each other.

Fiber Work

 

 

To apply to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), you will need to fill out an application and submit your transcripts and letters of recommendation. And most importantly, we require a portfolio of your best and most recent work—work that will give us a sense of you, your interests, and your willingness to explore, experiment, and think beyond technical art, design, and writing skills.

In order to apply, we must have the following items:

View our Portfolio Requirements by Degree Program for more detailed information regarding portfolios.

 

Studio 69
  • CP 1010 Core Studio Practice I (3)
  • CP 1011 Core Studio Practice II (3)
  • CP 1020 Research Studio I (3)
  • CP 1022 Research Studio II (3)
  • SOPHSEM 2900 (3)
  • PROFPRAC 3900 (3)
  • CAPSTONE 4900 (3)
  • Studio Electives (48)

     PROFPRAC and CAPSTONE are now required for new incoming students beginning in the 2015-16 academic year.

  
Art History 15
  • ARTHI 1001 World Cultures/Civilizations: Pre-History—19th Century Art and Architecture (3)
  • Art History Elective at 1000 level (3)
  • Art History Electives (9)
  
Liberal Arts 30
  • ENGLISH 1001 First Year Seminar I (3)
  • ENGLISH 1005 First Year Seminar II (3)
  • Natural Science (6)
  • Social Science (6)
  • Humanities (6)
  • Liberal Arts Electives (6)
  
General Electives 6
  • Studio, Art History, Liberal Arts, AAP, or EIS
  
Total Credit Hours 120

* BFA students must complete at least 6 credit hours in a class designated as "off campus study." These credits can also fulfill any of the requirements listed above and be from any of the divisions (Art History, Studio, Liberal Arts, or General Electives).

BFA With Distinction—SAIC Scholars Program: The SAIC Scholars program is a learning community of BFA students pursuing rigorous study in both their academic coursework and their studio pathways. There are two opportunities for interested students to apply to the SAIC Scholars Program: at the time of admission to the school, and eligible first-year students may apply to join the program during their first semester. Students pursuing the latter option are required to formally submit an application to the Undergraduate Division. Once admitted to the SAIC Scholars Program, students are required to successfully complete a set series of courses as a community during the course of the first and second year. Students who complete the program will graduate with distinction.

BFA in Studio with Thesis Option (Liberal Arts or Visual Critical Studies)

BFA students may complete a nine-credit, research-based academic thesis as part of their studies within the 126 credits for the BFA in Studio degree. BFA with Thesis course sequences are offered over 3 semesters through the departments of Liberal Arts or Visual and Critical Studies (VCS). Students who are interested in one of the thesis options should follow the steps outlined below in the beginning of the junior year.

Requirements for the BFA: Studio Art with Liberal Arts Thesis

Step One: Students are required to meet with the Chair of the Liberal Arts department in the beginning of their junior year. 

Step Two: With the Department Chair's approval, the student enrolls in the following courses beginning in the spring term of their junior year:

  • SOCSCI or HUMANITY 3900 Academic Research and Writing (3 credits)
  • LIBARTS 4800 Undergraduate Thesis: Research/Writing I (3 credits)
  • CAPSTONE 4900 Liberal Arts Undergraduate Thesis: Research/Writing II (3 credits)

Step Three: The completed thesis must be approved by both the Thesis II instructor and the Chair of Liberal Arts. Students must make a formal presentation and participate in the Undergraduate Thesis Symposium in their senior year. 

Requirements for the BFA: Studio Art with Visual and Critical Studies (VCS) Thesis

Step One: Students are required to meet with the Visual and Critical Studies Undergraduate Coordinator in or by the beginning of their junior year.

Step Two: With the VCS Coordinator's approval, the student enrolls in the first of the three-course sequence beginning in the spring term of their junior year:

  • VCS 3010 Tutorial in Visual & Critical Studies (3 credits)
  • VCS 4800 Undergraduate Thesis Seminar: Research & Writing I (3 credits)
  • CAPSTONE 4900 VCS Undergraduate Thesis Seminar: Research & Writing II (3 credits)

Step Three: Completion of thesis must be approved by both the Thesis II instructor and the VCS Undergraduate Coordinator. Students must make a formal presentation and participate in the Undergraduate VCS Thesis Symposium in the senior year.

 

Total credits required for minimum residency 60
Minimum Studio credit 42

Interested in learning more?

Students may choose an interdisciplinary or concentrated course of study within the following studio departments: 

Students may choose a fine arts or design emphasis. In the design arena, students can choose a pathway in:

Students may choose a BFA in Studio with Thesis Option, in which they complete a nine-credit, research-based academic thesis as part of their BFA in Studio degree. The thesis option is offered in the following academic departments:

The openness of the curriculum at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is the most valuable aspect of the BFA degree program in that it allows for creative, idiosyncratic, and tailored programs of artistic development, thereby emulating the very process of artistic making.

Approximately half of the students work across departments, building a mixed repertoire of ideas and skills, while the other half tends to concentrate in one or two departments. Academic advising, provided by the Office of Student Affairs and from individual departments, helps guide students in making the best course selections and ensuring completion of all requirements. All BFA students also fulfill Art History, Theory, and Criticism and Liberal Arts requirements.

Visit the Participating Departments page for information on the curriculum, faculty, and resources offered through the departments.

Ready to apply to an undergraduate degree program?

Visit the undergraduate admissions website or contact the undergraduate admissions office at 800.232.7242 or ugadmiss@saic.edu.