School of Visual Arts

Manhattan is home to the School of Visual Arts, one of the nation’s academic leaders in the preparatory studies for careers in the professional arts. School of Visual Arts began as a trade school in 1947 by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth. From a handful of Cartooning and Illustration instructors, it developed into a now multidisciplinary art institution of over 4,000 students and 1,100 faculty members.

Offering BFA degrees since 1972, SVA is currently authorized by the New York State Board of Regents to confer BA, MA, MFA, MAT and MPS degrees in over 25 programs. School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

First year students must participate in online components for several courses including Art History 1 and Foundations for Criticism 1. Through the SVA Online portal, students will participate in online group discussions and study sessions. School of Visual Arts offers a complete Online/Summer Residency program in Digital Photography and includes online coursework in the MFA Art Practice program. All other courses are subject to instructor approval for online availability.

Continuing Education programs are offered for undergraduate credit and academic enrichment. These programs include courses in Advertising, Computer Art, Graphic Design, Photography and more. There are also special programs for kids, international students, study abroad interests and summer residency students.