College of Architecture and the Arts
Introduction
Dean, Judith Russi Kirshner
303 Jefferson Hall (JH)
(312) 996-3351
aa@uic.edu
http://www.aa.uic.edu
Administration: 303 JH
Student Services and Academic Advising: 306 JH
Departments/Schools: Architecture, Art and Design, Art History, and Performing Arts
The College of Architecture and the Arts is a unique group of schools, departments,
and centers whose programs focus on the exploration, analysis, and representation
of our physical, social, and sensory environments. The college embraces all the
visual and performing arts as well as architecture and art history, and occupies
a unique position in Chicago as the only place where one can prepare for a career
in the arts within a major research university. Instruction in the college is enriched
by a faculty of practicing architects, artists, designers, art historians, musicians,
directors, and theatrical designers. This faculty adds dimensions of professional
experience, current issues, and ongoing research to the traditional concepts of
disciplinary areas within the college.
The college promotes collaborations and integration among its different programs,
and is strongly committed to interdisciplinary education breaking new ground in
the arts and arts research. Its diverse programs emphasize urban engagement and
are informed by current thinking in the use of new technologies for artistic expression
and instruction. The College of Architecture and the Arts has been extending the
traditional boundaries of education in order to meet the contemporary challenges
of a global economy. Faculty and students alike realize that the next generation
of graduates must be equipped to engage creatively and knowledgeably in the current
global cultural arena and become familiar with international standards, artistic
concerns, and procedures. The college has developed a number of faculty and student
international exchange programs in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, The Netherlands, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Through its many educational programs and collaborations, the college has become
a formidable educational resource in community development and in the changing modern
urban environment. Developing connections with a wide range of programs and resources
in the university, the College of Architecture and the Arts is engaged as a leader
in visual and performing arts education and research in the city of Chicago, the
nation, and the world.
The College of Architecture and the Arts is composed of the School of Architecture,
the School of Art and Design, the Department of Art History, the Department of Performing
Arts, the City Design Center, and the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Curricula are
offered in architecture, art and design, art history, and performing arts (music
and theatre) leading to the baccalaureate in those fields. In the fields of architecture
and art, the major emphases are on creative processes and studio work with a variety
of supportive lectures and seminar programs. In art history, the emphasis is on
scholarly study of the arts of the past; lectures, seminars, and independent research
are conducted on campus and in museums and libraries throughout the Chicago area.
Music emphasizes skills and knowledge that are fundamental to the entire discipline:
music theory, music history, performance, aural and keyboard training, orchestration,
composition, conducting, and ensemble participation. Theatre majors study the arts
that contribute to theatre production—acting, directing, and design—as
well as drama in its critical and historical context.
All work submitted by students for credit in any course in the college belongs to
the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois; the University reserves the
right to retain, copyright, use, exhibit, reproduce, and publish any work so submitted.
For information on the College of Architecture and the Arts, see the Web page http://www.aa.uic.edu.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Graphic Design and Industrial Design are accredited
by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Qualified graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program may
apply for advanced standing in the School’s professional Master of Architecture
degree program, or at other accredited schools of architecture. The University of
Illinois at Chicago’s Master of Architecture program is accredited by the
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Master’s degree programs
may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate
degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education.
Although oriented to NAAB criteria, UIC’s undergraduate preprofessional degree
is not an accredited professional degree.
To earn a College of Architecture and the Arts degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department/school degree requirements. University and college degree requirements for all College of Architecture and the Arts students are outlined below. Students should consult their department or school section for additional degree requirements.
The College of Architecture and the Arts semester hour requirement varies by degree program.
| Major | School/Department | Degree Conferred | Total Hours |
| Architecture | Architecture | BS in Architecture | 130 |
| Art Education | Art and Design | BFA in Art Education | 130 |
| Art History | Art History | BA in Art History | 120 |
| Electronic Visualization | Art and Design | BFA in Electronic Visualization | 134 |
| Graphic Design | Art and Design | BFA in Graphic Design | 134 |
| Industrial Design | Art and Design | BFA in Industrial Design | 134 |
| Moving Image | Art and Design | BFA in Moving Image | 130 |
| Music—Basic and Performance Concentrations | Performing Arts | BA in Music | 120 |
| Performance | Performing Arts | BFA in Performance | 120 |
| Photography | Art and Design | BFA in Photography | 130 |
| Studio Arts—Painting and Sculpture Concentrations | Art and Design | BFA in Studio Arts | 130 |
| Theatre—Performance and Directing/Design Concentrations | Performing Arts | BA in Theatre | 120 |
General Education Core
General Education at UIC is designed to serve as a foundation for lifelong learning. Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in the General Education Core with at least one course from each of the following categories:
| I. | Analyzing the Natural World | |
| II. | Understanding the Individual and Society | |
| III. | Understanding the Past | |
| IV. | Understanding the Creative Arts | |
| V. | Exploring World Cultures | |
| VI. | Understanding U.S. Society |
General Education Proficiencies—University Writing Requirement
College of Architecture and the Arts students meet the requirement by achieving
a passing grade in English 160 and 161.
Foundation Course Requirements
Each school and department in the college has a different set of foundation and
major course requirements. Students must fulfill all the foundation and major course
requirements outlined for their degree program.
Course Level Requirement
Each school or department in the College of Architecture and the Arts has specific
upper-level requirements for their degree programs. Students should consult the
individual unit for details on required 200-, 300-, or 400-level course work.
Course Work Limitations
Course work that duplicates previous credit does not count toward graduation; no
credit is given for a course in which a failing grade is received.
Credit earned in ESL 050 and 060, Mathematics 070 and 090, and English 150 and 152
will not fulfill college degree requirements. (By exception, students may earn 3
semester hours of credit in English 150 or 152 and receive a waiver of English 160
for the term in which they receive written authorization from the Department of
English.)
Students whose placement test results require taking several courses that carry
no graduation credit should plan on additional terms of enrollment to complete the
required curriculum. All courses are included, however, for determining a student’s
full-time/part-time status; for computing cumulative grade point averages (except
for 000-level courses); and in determining probation, dismissal, and Dean’s
List statuses.
Elective Credit
The University, college, and department degree requirements may not provide all
the hours required for graduation. The remaining credits are completed through elective
courses, whose careful selection should serve to enrich students’ knowledge
and understanding. Elective courses should always be chosen for educational ends
and not for the sake of convenience.
Full-Time Enrollment
Students in the college are expected to carry a full-time load in order to make
satisfactory progress toward their degree. Students should consult with their school/department
adviser if they enroll in a part-time schedule to determine their degree progress
and projected graduation date.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
College of Architecture and the Arts students cannot graduate with less than a 2.00/4.00
GPA in all work taken at UIC, in all work taken in the major field, and in all work
accepted for transfer by the university (transfer work plus work taken at UIC).
Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate
Students who are within two terms of graduation should first contact their school
or department and the college office for a complete check of their progress toward
the degree. A diploma cannot be ordered until a student has completed this graduation
check.
Students declare their intent to graduate online using UIC Web for Student.
The deadline for submission to the Pending Degree List is the end of the third week
(fall and spring) or second week (summer) of the term in which graduation is sought.
Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree.
A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily
completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on
the official degree list.
Enrollment Residence Requirement
Either the first 90 or last 30 credit hours of degree work must be completed in
continuous, uninterrupted enrollment residence at UIC. Concurrent attendance at
the University of Illinois at Chicago and another collegiate institution or enrollment
during the summer at another institution, when approved by the student’s college,
does not interrupt the UIC enrollment residence requirement for graduation. Students
who transfer from an accredited community college must earn at least 60 credit hours
at an approved four-year institution and must meet the enrollment residence requirement
of earning the last 30 semester hours at UIC.
Transfer Credit
No more than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of credit may be accepted as transfer
work from a community or junior college. Transfer students from community or junior
colleges should consult with the major department or school to discuss transfer
credit. All final acceptance of transfer credit will be determined by the college
upon review of recommendations by the school or department.
Transfer Credit for Continuing Students
Continuing students in the College of Architecture and the Arts must submit a petition
in order to take courses at other universities for credit toward the baccalaureate
degree.
During the fall and spring semesters, a full-time program is from 12 to 18 hours. Above 18 semester hours is considered an overload and may only be taken if a student is recommended by a school or department adviser and approved in the college office. During the eight-week summer session a full-time program is 6 semester hours, and a program of more than 14 hours must be approved.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules
Students on academic probation are notified by letter to see a college adviser for
counseling. Counseling is viewed by the college as an important determinant in the
retention of students. Students may be referred to the Office of Student Counseling
or other campus offices as deemed appropriate for retention purposes. Counseling
may be made part of the conditions of academic probation.
Probationary status is determined by letter grades earned at the end of any term.
Grades of I (incomplete) do not exempt a student from probationary and dismissal
regulations.
Probation Rules
Academic Probation. A student whose term grade point average or UIC cumulative
grade point average or combined UIC and transfer grade point average is below 2.00/4.00
is placed on academic probation and advised to enroll full-time for a minimum of
12 semester hours of credit and earn grades of B or better the next term in residence,
excluding the summer session. Students unable to maintain a minimum of 12 semester
hours of enrollment should consult with a college adviser to establish a plan for
satisfactory progress.
Terminal Probation. A student who is on probationary
status for two consecutive terms is placed on terminal probation. The student is
required to make an appointment to see an adviser in the college office during the
third and fourth weeks of the following semester. Students on terminal probation
may be dismissed for poor academic progress and are jeopardizing their enrollment
in the University.
Dismissal Rules
A student on academic or terminal probation may be dismissed from the university
under one of the following conditions:
Students should follow the advice in the letter sent to them.
Admission to the college is highly selective and competitive, and admission standards are much higher than the minimum ACT/SAT and HSPR for the campus. Due to the high demand for limited spaces in the college’s programs, it is recommended applicants submit their credentials as early as possible in their senior year in order to have the best chance for admission. All admission decisions are final due to the demand for space in all programs. All programs require international applicants to present a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (International).
Undergraduate students may drop courses using UIC Web for Student through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, or through the end of week 1 for summer semester. During weeks 3 through 6 of the fall and spring semesters (weeks 2 through 5 for summer semester) students may drop courses with the permission of their major college. If the drop occurs between 0–2 weeks in fall and spring (between weeks 0–1 in summer), there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 6 in fall and spring (weeks 2 through 5 in summer), a W is noted on the transcript. Undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript during their entire undergraduate degree program. College of Architecture and the Arts students must complete a request form in 306 JH.
Students wishing to change majors within the college should consult the individual school or department adviser(s) and complete an application in the college student affairs office, 306 JH.
Students are expected to attend all lectures, discussions and laboratory/studio sessions. School or department faculty may establish minimum attendance requirements.
No student may be admitted to a closed course in the college unless the director or chairperson has approved an increase in capacity, which is usually restricted by educational policies, budget, and maximum room capacities.
Course prerequisites are listed in both the undergraduate catalog and the semester Schedule of Classes. Only the director or chairperson may waive a prerequisite, if given evidence that the student is adequately prepared to pursue the subject area.
Students may elect to take a course under the credit/no credit option according to the following provisions:
Students who have completed the foundation program in Art and Design and/or who have earned at least 60 semester hours must declare a major with their school.
A student may earn a double major by fulfilling the degree requirements in two areas, as well as those for the University and the college. The designation of the double major is noted on the student’s official record. Students seeking a double major should contact the appropriate school or department for a curriculum evaluation and then make a declaration for a double major in the college office.
Students in the college are expected to carry a full-time load in order to make satisfactory progress toward their degree. Students should consult with their school/department adviser if they enroll in a part-time schedule to determine the consequences to their degree program and projected graduation date.
Graduate-Level Courses for Undergraduate Credit
With school or department approval, an undergraduate student may enroll in a course
in the Graduate College (500-level) for undergraduate elective credit. Students
should obtain approval prior to enrollment.
Students should understand, however, that graduate courses do not automatically
apply toward an undergraduate degree. Additionally, graduate-level courses taken
by an undergraduate student are generally not applicable toward a graduate degree.
The college offers courses entitled Independent Study, in which a student’s special interests may be pursued under the direction of a faculty member. To enroll in such a course, the student must obtain consent of the instructor and the school or department offering the course.
Any rule, regulation, or action of the college may be appealed through the use of a student petition. Petitions are available in the college office. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all necessary approvals on the form before submitting it to the college office for review. Turning in the form does not guarantee approval of the request. Students will be notified of a decision, but they should inquire on the status of their petition after ten working days.
Students interested in earning proficiency credit should contact the school or department directly for information concerning eligibility. A student who earns proficiency credit is given the amount of credit toward graduation regularly allowed in the course. Proficiency credit is not considered an interruption of enrollment residence for graduation, nor does it apply toward satisfying the minimum requirement of the degree if the last 30 semester hours must be earned in enrollment residence.
Students in the Department of Art History and the Department of Performing Arts must consult with an adviser for registration. An advising hold will be placed on each registration and will only be released upon verification of department advising.
Each required course failed must be repeated until a passing grade has been earned. Failing grades are included in the cumulative grade point average. If a student repeats a course for which the student has already received credit, either through course work at UIC or by advanced standing previously allowed for work done elsewhere, the student forfeits the original credit. However, both grades are recorded on the student’s academic record and counted in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
A student may receive a second bachelor’s degree from the College of Architecture and the Arts either concurrent with or subsequent to the first bachelor’s degree. The student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit beyond the requirements of the first degree in courses not offered for the first degree. The student must additionally meet all the requirements for the second degree specified by the college and the major.
Intercollege Transfer Students
UIC students interested in admission to one of the majors offered in the college
must complete an intercollegiate application available in the college office, 306
Jefferson Hall. All applicants must be in good standing, not on academic probation
or undetermined status. Eligibility varies by department and school.
| Department/School |
Minimum GPA
|
| Architecture |
2.75/4.00
|
| Art and Design |
2.75/4.00
|
| Art History |
2.75/4.00
|
| Performing Arts |
2.50/4.00
|
Admission to the college is selective and competitive and admissions standards are higher than the minimum grade point average requirement.
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
The minimum transfer grade point average for admission to the College of Architecture
and the Arts varies with each school or department. Admission and placement in the
School of Architecture and the School of Art and Design are highly competitive,
and admission is determined by the availability of space in the level of program
appropriate for the transfer student. All admission decisions are final due to the
demand for space in all programs. Students should refer to the requirements listed
for each program.
| Department/School | Portfolio/Audition |
Minimum GPA
|
| Architecture |
Portfolio for advanced placement |
2.75/4.00
|
| Art and Design | N/A |
2.75/4.00
|
| Art History | Writing Sample |
2.75/4.00
|
| Performing Arts |
Audition for Performance options Interview for Directing/ Design option
|
2.50/4.00
|
All programs require international applicants to present a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); or 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Internet-based).
School of Architecture. Students who have completed
at least one full year of architectural design work at another university or college
are eligible to apply for advanced placement in the School of Architecture. Applicants
wishing to apply for advanced placement must submit a portfolio of design work to
the academic adviser in the school. For more information on the portfolio requirement,
please visit http://www.uic.edu/depts/arch/up/ugp.html.
Advanced placement is a competitive process that is limited to spaces available
in the level of program appropriate for the transfer student. Acceptance into the
school does not guarantee advanced placement.
School of Art and Design. Students who have taken
art and design courses at a community college should be aware that for certain majors
these courses will be credited as electives only. Art and design courses from other
colleges and universities will be assessed for credit, pending portfolio review,
by the faculty of that major. Because courses are structured around specific goals,
the school strongly encourages potential majors to complete their first-year program
requirements at UIC’s School of Art and Design. PLEASE NOTE: All areas will
require a portfolio review upon completion of the first-year program before entry
into a major. Portfolios will be reviewed in April, and students will be admitted
into the major during the fall semester only. Please contact the department via
e-mail at artinfo@uic.edu or go to the Web site http://www.uic.edu/aa/artd/ for information
regarding the dates and times for this review.
Department of Art History. Admission to the Department
of Art History is selective and competitive; admissions standards are typically
higher than the stated minimum grade point average. A writing sample is required
of all applicants.
Department of Performing Arts. For advanced placement
in the Bachelor of Arts in Music or Bachelor of Arts in Theatre programs, introductory
music courses require a minimum grade of C and introductory theatre courses require
a minimum grade of B. Performance options require an audition. Also, music transfer
students will be required to take a placement test in music theory to determine
the correct level in which to place them.
Transferring Out of the College
A student in the College of Architecture and the Arts who wants to transfer into
another college must follow the new college’s application procedure.
The College of Architecture and the Arts offers the following minors.
| Minor | Department/School |
Hours
|
| Art History | Art History | 20 |
| Music | Performing Arts | 21 |
| Studio Arts | Art and Design | 24 |
| Theatre | Performing Arts | 18 |
Students in the college are required to see an adviser for registration and enrollment. Advisers are generally assigned to students during the academic year.
Both the School of Architecture and the School of Art and Design post adviser assignments. Students in Art History should check with the departmental office for assignment of advisers. Students in the Department of Performing Arts should consult the department for specific instructions concerning the assignment of faculty advisers.
College Honors will be awarded at the time of graduation to students who have earned a GPA of at least 3.40/4.00 for all work presented for the degree, and who rank among the top 15 percent of the students graduating in the college.
Outstanding academic achievement in the College of Architecture and the Arts is recognized by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility is based on a 3.50/4.00 term GPA with a program of 12 semester hours of letter grades in a regular semester or 8 semester hours of letter grades in the summer session. If any course is taken on a credit/no credit basis, a grade of CR must be earned.
Student Organizations
American Center for Design (Graphic Design) (ACD)
American Institute of Architects (Student Chapter) (AIAS)
American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA)
Arquitectos (Student Chapter) (ARQ)
Chicago Circle Players (Theater)
Concert Band
F-Stop (Photography)
Industrial Design Society of America (Student Chapter) (IDSA)
National Organization of Minority Architects (Student Chapter) (NOMAS)
UIC Choirs
|
Copyright © 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois |
Information provided by: Office of Academic and Enrollment Services (MC 103), 601 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60607
