Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Academy of Art University was originally established as an advertising art school. In subsequent years the curriculum was expanded to include fashion illustration and fine arts, and as the institution continued to grow so did the list of program offerings. In 1966 the school granted its first Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art and eleven years later, inaugurated its graduate program. Today the University has grown to become one of the largest private schools of art and design in the country. Students now have the opportunity to pursue a variety of graduate and undergraduate degree programs covering over 30 areas of academic emphasis. The University has also established an online program which has made it a leader in first-class online art and design education.

Points of Distinction

• Flexible schedule of day, evening, and weekend on-campus classes
• Leader in online art and design education
• Significantly more affordable than other major private art and design schools
• Partnership with top companies which has lasted for decades
• Part-time jobs and internships

Course Topics

The University offers both on-campus and online degree and certificate programs, including Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Architecture programs. Degree and certificate programs cover the following majors:

• Advertising
• Animation and Visual Effects
• Architecture
• Computer Arts
• Digital Arts and Communications
• Fashion
• Fine Art
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Industrial Design Studies
• Interior Architecture and Design
• Motion Picture and Television
• Multimedia Communications
• Photography
• Online Art Degrees

Academy of Art University Admissions

Interested applicants should contact the Academy directly for current information or visit its website. An experienced and knowledgeable admissions representative will be available to discuss the applicant's background, interests, and goals. The admissions rep will also gladly answer questions pertaining to the degree programs and course majors.

Academy of Art University Faculty Quality

The Academy actively recruits top talent from the art and design industries to join its faculty. Instructors are passionate teachers who also happen to be renowned professional artists and designers.

Academy of Art University Student Enrollment

The University has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students representing almost every country in the world. More than one third of the Student Enrollment is made up of international students.

Academy of Art University Student Life

The Academy has close to two dozen facilities that house classrooms, studios, galleries, and dormitories. Classes are held in a number of buildings, most of which are located within a few blocks of each other in downtown San Francisco. Residence facilities and all academic buildings are linked by an extensive school shuttle bus system used by both students and employees of the school. Full-time students are provided guaranteed housing and campus facilities include a fully equipped student gym, a full-sized swimming pool, and on-campus dining venues. Every school at the Academy has the same state-of-the-art technology and equipment being used in the industry today. Students in the online program are afforded access to a seminar-style "classroom" environment in which students interact with each other as much as they do with their professor. Online discussions are asynchronous, meaning that simultaneous participation is not necessary and student input (questions and discussion contributions) can be made anytime.