You want to attend a college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:

• Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Instruction utilizing professional on-campus art galleries, equipment and resources.
• Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
• Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention from instructors.
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation.
• Accredited distance learning programs due to several flexible learning options for students, including face-to-face, hybrid, virtual classroom meetings and online-only classes.
• Articulated transfer program with several prestigious institutions.
• Opportunity to study outside of the classroom through immersive field study trips to iconic locations like New York City, the Southwest, New England, Mexico City, Barcelona and the Greater Chicago Area.
• Extracurricular opportunities for exploration of the visual arts.
• Exposure to locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists through the Visiting Artist Series.
• Access to the Digital Fabrication Studio, a multi-purpose creative space equipped with hand tools, various 3D printers, a laser cutter, and areas for collaboration and project discussion.
• Free resources including Adobe CC, media labs, Kanopy streaming services and free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Associate in Fine Arts

The Associate in Fine Arts degree is designed for students wishing to transfer into four-year programs with a major in studio art, often leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or a degree in Art Education.

Associate in Arts

The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students planning to pursue a Liberal Arts degree focusing on either art history or studio art, leading to transfer into a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.

• Associate in Arts
• Associate in Fine Arts

Students who complete courses in Art will:

Develop Visual Literacy (Looking at/Thinking About Art)

• Explain the relationship between form, content, and meaning in works of art
• Develop formal language for writing and speaking about art
• Research cultural, historical, and contemporary images and texts
• Critically analyze images, objects, and spaces
• Apply elements and principles of design effectively

Knowledge of Materials and Methods (Making Art)

• Demonstrate proficiency with tools and processes in one or more media
• Investigate, experiment, and manipulate one or more media in the realization of work
• Create a portfolio for transfer or other applications

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in art. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• Columbia College Chicago, AA to Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management
• Columbia College Chicago, AFA to Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Western Illinois University, AA to Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio
• Western Illinois University, AA to Bachelor of Arts

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

The Cleve Carney Museum of Art offers visual art exhibitions showcasing art by regional, national and international artists.

Students will also feel inspired by works from the College of DuPage's Permanent Art Collection, which includes:

• More than 720 individual artworks are displayed across campus
• 69 pieces in the William E. Gahlberg Native American Contemporary Art Collection
• More than 100 Ecuadorian masks
• 17 World War II posters in the Library Collection

Exhibition experience is available through the Wings Gallery and Techcetera Design Gallery.

Wings Student Art Galleryoffers students an opportunity to exhibit their work and to learn and practice aspects of curation and professional gallery operation.

COD technical students can feature their work throughout the Techcetera Gallery. The gallery helps celebrate the interdependence of technology, media and design.