Chicago is home to several highly ranked photography programs.
Chicago is rich with photography degree programs for undergraduates and graduate students, at professional art schools as well as public and private universities. In 2008, U.S. News World Report ranked five schools in the Chicago area among the nation's top 80 fine arts graduate schools. Application to photography degree programs typically requires a portfolio of recent work.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a private art school that was founded in 1866. Its photography department offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. The department emphasizes interdisciplinary practice, and photography students frequently take classes in other media. Both undergraduate and graduate students complete thesis work in the final year. All graduate students have private studios. In 2008, U.S. News World Report ranked the SAIC third among the nation's fine arts graduate schools and second among photography programs.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
37 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-6100
saic.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Art and Design
The School of Art and Design within the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Architecture and the Arts offers undergraduate and graduate programs in photography. Students work toward the professional Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. Undergraduate photography students must take classes in both analog and digital photography, as well as drawing, sculpture, graphic design and time-based art. Both undergraduate and graduate students must complete thesis work leading toward an exhibition in the final year. In 2008, US News and World Report ranked the University of Illinois at Chicago 37th among the nation's fine arts graduate schools.
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Art and Design
929 West Harrison Street, 106 Jefferson Hall
Chicago, IL 60607
312-996-3337
adweb.aa.uic.edu/web/programs/?program=ph
Columbia College Chicago Photography Department
Columbia College Chicago is a private arts and media college that was founded in 1890. The college's photography department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can work toward a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or BFA degree. BFA degree candidates are required to complete a senior thesis. All undergraduate students take classes in art history and the history of photography. The department also offers an MFA degree program for graduate students. In 2008, U.S. News World Report ranked Columbia College Chicago 76th among the nation's fine arts graduate schools.
Columbia College Chicago Photography Department
600 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
866-705-0200
colum.edu/academics/photography/index.php
