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Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual and Critical Studies degree program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) allows you to pursue in-depth academic study in the creative environment of an art school. During your work, you will draw connections between the visual arts and history, philosophy, psychology, and the natural sciences.
Alumni of this program go on to graduate work in the humanities, museum studies, arts administration, art-related law, or pursue careers in communications, teaching, public service, social activism, media production, or journalism.
You will share most classes, including a minimum of 39 hours of studio courses, with students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program, yet also follow a distinct sequence of courses, seminars, and personal research. Core courses provide you with diverse critical methods for exploring the cultural meanings of visual phenomena as they relate to social, economic, and material circumstances. You may choose from a variety of courses in studio practice, art history, writing, and the liberal arts and sciences, with special attention to topics such as visual and media literacy, cultural history and theory, and global studies.
Admissions Requirements and Curriculum
Use the accordions (+) below to learn more about the admissions requirements and curriculum.
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To apply to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), you must 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.
To apply, we must have the following items:
View our Portfolio Requirements by Degree Program for more detailed information regarding portfolios.
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Review the Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
Transfer Students
Transfer students must complete at least 66 credit hours of coursework at SAIC in order to earn a BA in Visual and Critical Studies degree here. Please see the breakdown of credits required for minimum residency below.
| Total credits required for minimum residency | 66 |
| Minimum studio credit | 3 |
| Minimum Visual and Critical Studies core curriculum | 39 |
Take the Next Step
Visit the undergraduate admissions website or contact the undergraduate admissions office at 800.232.7242 or ugadmiss@saic.edu.
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