College Education Weekly - Courses, degree programs, accredited online education.

Established in 1929, Academy of Art University fosters passionate and committed artists through cutting-edge art and design programs. With nearly 12,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation’s largest private art and design university. The Academy offers:

Accredited AA, BFA, BA, MFA, MA and Master of Architecture programs
14 areas of art and design
An inspiring urban campus in San Francisco
A flexible online degree program
A dedicated faculty of working artists
Excellent job placement resources
Accredited member WASC, NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA – IAD), NAAB (M-ARCH).

Advertising

At the School of Advertising, students learn an integrated approach to marketing communications that is backed by solid strategic thinking. Some areas of focus include:

Account Planning
Art Direction
Copywriting

Successful alumni include Jason Sperling who is the copywriter for award-winning “Mac vs. PC” campaign.

Animation

Be a part of the worldwide technological revolution – and the next one. Graduates of Academy of Art University’s School of Animation have worked on award-winning films such as Ratatouille and wildly popular video games such as World of Warcraft. Some areas of focus include:

2D Modeling
3D Modeling
Background Painting
Character Animation
Games
Visual Effects

Alumni have gone on to work at Pixar, Industrial Light and Magic and Blizzard Entertainment.

Architecture (Master of Architecture only)

The accredited Master of Architecture program is designed to prepare the graduate to create visual and physical changes to our built environment that enhance its quality and our experience in it. Some areas of focus include:

Green Architecture
Residential Architecture
Commercial Architecture
Landscape Architecture

Graduates have been hired by world-class firms and companies such as Anshen + Allen, Crate & Barrel, Architecture International and many more.

Computer Arts: New Media

From winning awards at the prestigious SIGGRAPH competition to working for international multimedia companies, students in the Academy of Art University’s Computer Arts: New Media program are driving the digital renaissance. Some areas of focus include:

Web and Interactive Design
Print Design and Production
Motion Graphic Design
Digital Video
Typography

Alumni have worked for the most cutting-edge multimedia companies such as hulu.com, CNN and Wallace Church.

Digital Arts and Communications (BFA only)

The School of Digital Arts and Communication integrates traditional art skills and concept development with new technologies and platforms. Students become specialists in web site usability, web information architecture, and interactive products. Some areas of focus include:

Web Site Usability
Information Architecture Design
Icon Design
Motion Graphic Design

Graduates have gone on to lucrative careers working at companies such as American Greetings, Toyota and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Fashion

The Academy of Art University's School of Fashion combines European artisanship with New York industry savvy, California freshness with modern American technology. The Academy is the only school invited to show at the prestigious New York Fashion Week. Some areas of focus include:

Textile Design
Fashion Merchandising
Fashion Journalism
Menswear Design

Alumni have gone on to work with Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Renta. Academy students have also been featured on MTV’s True Life.

Fine Art

At the School of Fine Art, students learn how to find gallery representation before they graduate, how to present themselves, how to exhibit in a gallery and how to make a living doing what they love. Some areas of focus include:

Jewelry Design
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture

Fine Art graduates exhibit internationally and are commissioned for public works.

Graphic Design

Everywhere you look you’ll see the work of a graphic designer. It’s the recognizable mark that makes brands stand out. At Academy of Art University, students learn Graphic Design in a school that is second to none. Some areas of focus include:

Typography
Print and editorial design
Branding
Packaging

Alumni have been recruited by Dreamworks, Nike and Wired magazine.

Illustration

The School of Illustration teaches the understanding of the figure, the concepts and storytelling, the use of color to convey feeling and mood and the mastery of technique, marketability and presentation. Some areas of focus include:

Commercial Illustration
Graphic Novels
Scientific Illustration
Creature Design

Alumni have been nationally published in books, magazines and even postage stamps.

Industrial Design

At Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design, students don’t learn what’s going to happen tomorrow – they create it. Some areas of focus include:

Car Design
Product Design
Toy Design
Furniture Design

Alumni have gone on to design at companies like Camelbak, LLC and General Motors.

Interior Architecture & Design

If you have the desire and passion to create comfortable, intriguing, inspiring environments that people will live in, work in and admire, then this is the occupation for you. Some areas of focus include:

Residential Design
Commercial Design
Furniture Design
Ergonomics

Alumni have gone on to create their own furniture lines and have their work featured on HGTV.

Motion Pictures and Television/Acting

School of Motion Pictures and Television/Acting students learn in a “real world” movie studio setting where there’s a momentum that brings people together to turn the theoretical into practical. Some areas of focus include:

Screenwriting
Acting
Directing
Producing

From directing music videos for the hottest musicians to winning international film festivals, MPT alumni have exciting – and lucrative – careers!

Photography

There is an increasing need for creative, highly educated photographers who are able to blend technical proficiency with technical creativity. The School of Photography trains your artistic eye as your master the camera. Some areas of focus include:

Digital Photography
Advertising Photography
Fashion Photography
Fine Art Photography

Academy alumni have been published nationally in magazines and newspapers and won numerous prestigious photography awards for their work.

School of Multimedia Communications

This is the first and only communications degree that provides professional training in art and design as you learn hands-on multimedia skills. Now that’s a media specialty.

B.A. and M.A. degrees available
Degrees and courses available online and on campus
Undergraduate minors available in all fields of art and design, from fashion to animation to film!
Classes offered in Visual Communications, Short Form Production, Video Journalism, Multimedia Production, Writing and Broadcasting

Motion Pictures & Television - Certificate, AA, BFA & MFA

At the Academy of Art University's School of Motion Pictures & Television, you'll learn in a "real world" movie studio setting where momentum brings people together to turn the theoretical into the practical.

You'll experiment, but under the guidance of instructors currently working in the industry. You'll be working with the same equipment used by major film studios and video production companies and have access to the latest in computer-assisted effects and animation. With the skills you'll learn at the most complex, best-equipped film school in America, you can direct yourself into an exciting range of professions that produce a very rewarding living.

Photography - Certificate, AA, BFA & MFA

The goal of the Academy of Art University's School of Photography is to develop technically and aesthetically sound photographers, capable of successfully entering and competing in the open marketplace upon graduation. Students complete a series of classes conducted by working professionals, who guide you to find your own unique "style" both by content and approach. Whether you study traditional or digital photography, we help train your artistic eye as you master the camera and you'll leave with a cohesive portfolio. As one of the nation's top photography schools, we train you to be the next top photographer.

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Academy of Art University Degrees