Graduate program applications

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)’s graduate programs, ranked among the top two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, applaud experimentation and encourage students to cross disciplines and explore concepts unbound to any one medium or academic department in the realization of impactful work. 

This is an exciting time at SAIC with the fall semester bringing students from around the globe back to campus, along with the in-person opening of our new SAIC Galleries, and an array of both in-person and virtual lectures, events, and activities. We welcome you to explore our full fall calendar at saic.edu/events. 

For those interested in joining the SAIC community through one of our graduate programs, we have a robust selection of online and in-person opportunities to help you prepare your application for admission.  For more information and to RSVP, visit saic.edu/grevents.

We encourage you to contact the Graduate Admissions office at gradmiss [​at​] saic.edu with any questions about the application process. For application requirements and to apply online, visit saic.edu/gradapp.

More information about each of our graduate programs, along with deadlines and application requirements can be found below:

Master of Architecture: Master of Architecture / Master of Architecture with an Emphasis in Interior Architecture 

Master of Arts: Master of Arts in Arts Administration and Policy / Master of Arts in Art Education / Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling / Master of Arts in Modern and Contemporary Art History / Master of Arts in New Arts Journalism / Master of Arts in Teaching / Master of Arts in Visual & Critical Studies / Dual Degree: MA Modern & Contemporary Art History AND MA Arts Administration & Policy

Master of Design: Master of Design in Designed Objects / Master of Design in Fashion, Body and Garment 

Master of Fine Arts in Studio: MFA Architecture / MFA Art & Technology Studies / MFA Ceramics / MFA Design for Emerging Technologies / MFA Designed Objects / MFA Fiber & Material Studies / MFA Film, Video, New Media, & Animation / MFA Painting & Drawing / MFA Performance / MFA Photography / MFA Printmedia / MFA Sculpture / MFA Sound / MFA Visual Communication Design/ MFA Writing 

Master of Science: Master of Science in Historic Preservation 

Low-Residency: Low-Residency MFA 

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates (application deadline: January 10): Post-Bacc Art & Technology Studies / Post-Bacc Ceramics / Post-Bacc Fiber & Material Studies / Post-Bacc Film, Video, New Media, & Animation / Post-Bacc Performance / Post-Bacc Printmedia / Post-Bacc Sound/ Post-Bacc in Fashion, Body and Garment / Post-Bacc in Visual Communication Design

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (application deadline: April 1): Post-Bacc Painting 

About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, Jeff Koons, and LeRoy Neiman. For more information, please visit saic.edu.