i. institutional support and commitment to continuous improvement

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects
Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture with emphasis in Interior Architecture
o Cooperative Education Program
SAIC has the most successful arts-related Co-op program in the country. Co-op is an internship
program where students earn course credit and refine their career objectives while establishing a
strong employment history and references for future work experiences. Since 1978, SAIC’s Co-op
Program has helped students gain professional work experience while continuing their formal
education. The Co-op Program also embraces an experiential learning component that provides
students opportunities with community service organizations.
Co-op is a class open to SAIC students who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Students
receive studio credit and tuition is charged for a Co-op/Internship experience. The Cooperative
Education Program encompasses a variety of disciplines unique to artists’ interests. Reflecting
the philosophy of SAIC, the Co-op Program presents students with a wide range of choices from
employers working with traditional art forms to those utilizing cutting-edge technology. Over 400
Co-op positions are available every semester. Over 6000 students have been placed with over
1600 employers in Chicago since 1978. Over 180 students participate each semester, and over 35%
of these students secure employment from their Co-op positions. Of the 400 Co-op positions
available, 200 are offered from alumni of SAIC.
o Office of Off-Campus Study
The Office of Off-Campus Study is designed to enrich the degree program by offering the
opportunity for one to two semesters of study abroad and the opportunity to participate in
foreign and domestic student exchanges. SAIC maintains agreements with more than 25 art
schools in North America and more than 30 art schools throughout the world. Additionally, the
Office of Off-Campus Study administrates several scholarship awards to students: Skowhegan;
Fulbright; Odyssey Travel Grants; and the World Less Traveled Grant. The latter two of these are
in-house, SAIC grants funded by individual donors, giving $300 to $1500 expressly for education-
related travel. Of the two, the former is distributed by lottery, and the latter by application.
o Faculty-Led Study Trips
Study trips are led by SAIC faculty members and usually are two to three weeks or five to six
weeks in length during the winter and summer interims. Destinations have included Cambodia,
the Czech Republic, Cuba, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, and the American Southwest.
b) Student well-being
o Attention to diversity
The School’s efforts to diversify its student population are formalized through two main offices
within Student Services: the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and International Affairs:
- Office of Multicultural Affairs
The mission of OMA is to promote diversity as a core value at SAIC through programs, services
and institutional initiatives. The office provides support, advocacy and mediation for students,
particularly as it relates to issues of inclusivity, representation and empowerment. OMA also
assists the SAIC community in connecting with the rich culture of Chicago.
- Office of International Affairs
OIA serves and addresses the needs of SAIC’s international population, to thereby create a
school climate which welcomes and respects cultural diversity and prepares our students for
effective participation in global citizenship. It follows the regulations set forth by the United
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