The Academy of Art University (formerly Academy of Art College ) , a university owned for-profit Stephens Institute , was founded in San Francisco , California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens . With an enrollment of over 18,000 students , the academy is reportedly the largest art and design school in the United States.
Academic Programs :
The Academy of Art University offers both on-campus ( traditional instructor-led ) and education degrees (online) and distance graduate fine arts programs . The college offers an Associate of Arts ( AA ) , Bachelor of Arts ( BA ) and Bachelor of Fine Arts ( BFA ) for undergraduate programs , Master of Arts ( MA ) , Master of Fine Arts (MFA ) and Master of Architecture ( M. Arch ) for graduate programs , and certification programs for personal enrichment . The Academy of Art University offers degree and certificate in 23 programs.
Facilities:
The Academy of Art University offers classes in more than 40 buildings on the east and south of San Francisco , making it one of the largest owners in San Francisco . A handful of these buildings are important historical structures acquired by the Academy to preserve them from demolition or commercial remodeling irreversible. As part of its goal to promote education in the arts , academia acquired art studios that were once owned by the non-profit Art Institute of San Francisco to avoid being converted to other uses . Residence facilities and all academic buildings are linked by an extensive bus system used by students and school employees .
