Accreditation

The Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit corporation. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a professional college of the visual and related arts, accredited since 1936 by the Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission 
230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

The BFA in Art Education (BFAAE) and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) art education programs are certified by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

The Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

The Master of Architecture and Master of Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). NAAB formally granted SAIC accreditation for the professional MArch effective January 1, 2011, with continuing accreditation through 2031.  

The National Architectural Accrediting Board provides the following statement:

“In the United States, most registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may require a pre-professional undergraduate degree in architecture for admission. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

SAIC is a member of:

• American Association for Higher Education
• National Art Education Association
• College Art Association of America
• Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
• Illinois Art Education Association
• National Conference of Artists
• College Scholarship Service
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education
• Institute of International Education
• National Association for Foreign Student Affairs
• American Association of University Women
• National Association of College Admissions Counselors
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• College Entrance Examination Board
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Jacqueline Hennard
Lakeview Building, 116 S. Michigan Ave., 12th floor
Chicago, IL 60603
312.499.4165
title9@saic.edu 

Jacqueline Hennard
Lakeview Building
116 S. Michigan Ave., 12th floor
Chicago, IL 60603
312.499.4165
title9@saic.edu 

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, see the Office for Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 800.421.3481.

This policy is effective as of July 1, 2015, and replaces the previous policy.

Please contact the Provost's Office to obtain or review a copy of the documents describing the institution's accreditation, approval, or licensing.