California is known for its beautiful weather, landscaping and beaches. Many students flock to the state of California to enjoy the year round warm weather, but at the same time California is also known to have some excellent colleges and universities. As California is the most populated state in America, its colleges are demographically diverse. With this diversity come myriad opportunity at California colleges is also a world center of engineering businesses, the film and television industry, and American agricultural production.
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California - www.academyart.edu
Proprietary comprehensive, founded in 1929
Coed, 6,686 undergraduate students, 61% full-time, 50% women, 50% men.
Noncompetitive entrance level
In 1929, Academy of Art University founder Richard S. Stephens who was the advertising creative director of Sunset magazine, acted on his belief that "aspiring artists and designers, given proper instruction, hard work, and dedication, can learn the kills needed to become successful professional." His new school of advertising art consisted of 46 students meeeting in one room on San Francisco's Kearny Street. The instructors, who were professional artists, bought real-world problems, situations, solutions, and practical experience to the students. thus was born the school's philosophy by the founder. Hire today's best practicing professionals to teach the art and design professionals of tomorrow. At that time, advertising consisted primarily of illustrations, photos, and copy. Consequently, it became necessary to teach beginning students the fundamentals of drawing, painting, color, light, and photography as well as layout and typography.
Today, Academy of Art University is the largest private accredited art and design school in the nation with an enrollment of more than 8,500 students from nearly every country in the world.. More than one third of the student body is made up of international students. the Academy has more than twenty facilities that house classrooms, studios, galleries, and dormitories. The students, who are admitted through an open-enrollment policy, aspire to earn either an A.A, or B.F.A, or a certificate in one of twelve design majors. The school maintains a fleet of buses to connect the dfferent points of the campus, all of which are located with the city limits of San Francisco, one of the world's most vibrant and beautiful cities. The faculty, which is 80% part-time and made up of working art and deign professionals, is recruited from all across the nation and is drawn to the creative and intellectual center that is the Bay Area. Extensive senior-year internship programs allow students to gain valuable experience and develop strong portfolios in their chosen field before graduation. Academy of Art University also offers an M.F.A program in architecture.
Majors and Degrees: Academy of Art University offers A.A, and B.F.A, degrees and certificates in the following majors: advertising (account planning, art direction, copywriting, and television commercials), animation/visual effects (storyboard art, background painting/layout design, game design, visual development, 3-D modeling, character development, and VFX/compositing), computer arts/new media (computer graphics, new media, Web design, and digital imaging), fashion (fashion design, fashion illustration, knitwear, merchandising, and textiles), fine art (ceramics, metal arts, painting/drawing, print-making, sculpture). graphic design (corporate and brand identity, Web site design, motion graphics, multimedia, package design, print and collateral), illustration (cartooning, children's books, editorial, feature film animation, and 2-D animation), industrial design (product, transportation, furniture and toy design), interior architecture and design (commercial, residential and furniture design), motion pictures and television (acting, advertising/director-camera, cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design, screenwriting, and special effects), and photography (advertising, documentary, digital photography, fashion, fine art, photo illustration, and photojournalism.
Costs: Tuition is $600 per credit unit for undergraduates. Full-time students carry either 12 or 15 units per semester. There is nonrefundable $140 registration fee-$100 is applicable toward tuition. Lab fees run from $25 to $400 per semester, depending on the class. tuition and fees are subject to change at any time. Art supplies can run form $250 to $500 per semester, depending on the major, The Academy has most of the expensive technical equipment available tof students to borrow or use in a lab. Academy of Art University operates more than thirteen campus housing facilities within the city. Several housing options are offered, and costs vary from $6,600 to $10,000 per academic year (fall and spring semesters). For information, students may contact the Academy Housing Office directly at 415-263-7727 or via e-mail at housing@academyart.edu.
Finacial Aid: The Academy offers financial aid packages consisting of grants, loans, and work-study to eligible students with a demonstrated need. Low-interest loans are available to all eligible students, regardless of need. As financial aid programs, procedures, and eligibility requirements change frequently, applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office for current requirements at the University's address or phone number.
Admission Requirements: Applicants for the B.F.A program must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. There is no portfolio requirement for the A.A and B.F.A programs. International students take written and speech tests to determine which ESL classes may have to be completed. Most ESL classes can be taken in conjunction with art and design classes. All foundations classes offer specialized ESL sections with instructors trained for language assistance. The application fee is $100 for undergraduates. A $500 tuition deposit applies to international applicants.
Application and Information: Students may apply to enter the Academy at the beginning of the spring, fall, or summer semesters. Information in this profile is subject to change. Students should contact Academy of Art University for current information or visit its Web site.
For further information and a catalog, students may contact:
Prospective Student Services
Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Telephone: 415-274-2222
Toll free: 800-544-ARTS ext. 2787
Fax: 415-263-4130
E-mail: info@academyart.edu
World Wide Web: http://www.academyart.edu |
