The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Disclaimer: This is only a review of the Continuing Education Studies Adult Program that is offered at SAIC.
When I first started the Graphic Design certificate program here at SAIC I had some enthusiasm and some concerns. I was at a crossroads at this point of my life since I was out of the job for over a year. I’ve decided to go back to school to brush up my skills that would be used in the Graphic Design field. Let me breakdown the parts of this review.
Curriculum: For the most part I felt that the curriculum in the two years that I’ve participated was very detailed and offered a good degree of challenge. In some of the core courses for the certificate they first teach you how to use the Adobe Creative Suite and then they try to guide your creativity. Also, some courses challenge your creative thinking to where at times you really have to think outside the norms (which I think is beneficial to any career dealing with creativity).
Instructors: The instructors for the most part are real great, but there are some that I’ve encountered that I really felt they shouldn’t bother to teach at a community college level. If you happen to be in the Graphic Design certificate program you’ll get your monies worth with classes instructed by John Rabias and Ryan Swanson. I think those two are probably the best instructors I’ve ever had since not only they do share their knowledge to the subject real well, but they do provide feedback (whether positive or critical) that helps you in learning to be a good Graphic Designer. Even though I had a good experience with most of the instructors here, there are some bad seeds that kinda make me feel I’m not progressing well enough (particularly with the Web Design Courses with an exception of Ryan Swanson).
Although I could give the Continuing Education Studies Program a 4 or a 5, the program here at SAIC only deserve a 3 mainly due to two things.
1) Administrative issues: The program itself isn’t expensive (especially if you’re a member of the Art Institute), though at times you would have to deal with the billing department if they don’t give you the correct tuition amount. Also, one thing they didn’t mention to me until I discovered it a few months later at the old CS webpage was that you would have to fill out a progress form in order to get your certificate. You would think at this day of age in technology they would at least notify you that you’re at the end of completing your certificate.
2) Continuing Education students treated as second class students: I do feel that there was a lot of resentment directed towards the continuing education students from the undergrads and grad students. I think the main reason why is that most of the continuing education students come from business backgrounds or dress more conservatively than the undergrads and grad students. Even after completing the certificate program there’s a sense that you”re really not an alumni at this school. When I tried to get an alumni card I got rejected since they stated that only give them out to those who got a degree (even though it did state at the alumni benefits page —
) Also, the career services department at the school only serves the undergrads and grad students. Therefore, I’m pretty much SOL when it comes to career guidance.
Finally, even though this doesn’t warrant another star being deducted from this review is the value of obtaining the certificate in the job market. It’s still up in the air whether the certificate holds any value when applying for a job in what ever creative field you apply. Even though I felt that I have enough skills to get an entry level position, the main problem is that (as of when I wrote this review) there’s not enough positions out there.
In conclusion, you’ll learn a lot from the program being offered at SAIC, but expect a few minor administrative issues and being treated as a second class citizen while attending there.

Not sure if this is where this review should be, but I’m posting about their annual student Holiday Art Sale. Love it! Lots of variety, lost of different price points. A perfect way to «shop local» and support the arts.
If you missed it this year, be sure to go next year!

AWESOME SCHOOL! i went here for 5 years, got my degree in fine arts with an emphasis in education.
i think people need to know before coming here is that this school is a conceptual school NOT technique. i was mis-​informed but still had a really awesome experience.
the education dept will not guide you. i pretty much learned everything i know by myself and through experience.

My portfolio, my organizational skills, and the fact that David Sedaris was in my graduating class, all made me who I am today. I think we were both in Self Deprecation 101 together.