Academy of Art University School of Architecture Architecture Program Report for 2014 NAAB Visit for Continuing Candidacy Bachelor of Architecture 162 Credits Year of the Previous Visit: 2012 Current Term of Accreditation: “..the proposed professional architecture program: Bachelor of Architecture was formally granted candidacy. The candidacy period is effective January 1, 2012. The program is tentatively scheduled for a continuation of candidacy visit in 2014.” Submitted to: The National Architectural Accrediting Board Date: March 1, 2014 Academy of Art University Architecture Program Report- Continuing Candidacy March 2014 Program Director: Jennifer Asselstine, AIA, [email protected], 415-274-2200 School of Architecture Executive Director: Mimi Sullivan, AIA, [email protected], 415-274-2200 Chief Academic Officer of the Institution: Alana Addison, [email protected], 415-274-2200 President of Academy of Art University, Dr. Elisa Stephens, [email protected] 415-274-2200 Individual submitting the Architecture Program Report: Mr. Joe Vollaro, Executive Vice President of Financial Aid and Compliance, [email protected], 415-274-2200 Name of individual to whom questions should be directed: Mr. Joe Vollaro, Executive Vice President of Financial Aid and Compliance, [email protected], 415-274-2200 Section Page Part One. Institutional Support and Commitment to Continuous Improvement 1 1. Identify & Self Assessment 1 1. History Mission 1 2. Learning Culture and Social Equity 8 3. Responses to the Five Perspectives 9 4. Long Range Planning 14 5. Program Self Assessment 21 2. Resources 27 1. Human Resources and Human Resource Development 27 2. Administrative Structure and Governance 32 3. Physical Resources 35 4. Financial Resources 44 iii Academy of Art University Architecture Program Report- Continuing Candidacy March 2014 5. Information Resources 51 3. Institutional Characteristics 57 1. Statistical Reports 57 2. Annual Reports 57 3. Faculty Credentials 57 4. Policy Review 57 Part Two. Educational Outcomes and Curriculum 58 1. Student Performance Criteria 59 2. Curricular Framework 60 1. Regional Accreditation 60 2. Professional Degrees and Curriculum 63 3. Curriculum Review and Development 75 3. Evaluation of Preparatory/Pre-professional Education 76 4. Public Information 76 1. Statement on NAAB-Accredited Degrees 76 2. Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures 76 3. Access to Career Development Information 76 4. Public Access to APRs and VTRs 76 5. ARE Pass Rates 77 Part Three. Progress Since Last Site Visit 77 Part Four. Supplemental Information 82 1. Course Descriptions 82 2. Faculty Resumes 138 3. Visiting Team Report 237 4. Catalog URL 271 iv Academy of Art University Architecture Program Report- Continuing Candidacy March 2014 This page is left blank intentionally. v Academy of Art University Architecture Program Report- Continuing Candidacy March 2014 Part One (I). Institutional Support and Commitment to Continuous Improvement I.1. Identity & Self Assessment I.1.1.History Mission History, Mission, Founding Principles of Academy of Art University (The Academy, AAU) The Academy was founded in San Francisco in 1929 as the Academy of Advertising Art by fine art painter Richard S. Stephens and his wife, Clara. Mr. Stephens, an art director of Sunset magazine, opened AAU based on the philosophy that aspiring artists and designers, with hard work, dedication, and proper instruction, can learn the skills needed to become successful professionals. To make this vision a reality, Stephens hired instructors who were working artists, familiar with the realities and demands of the marketplace. The school attracted a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and designers, and one of its core educational practices was firmly defined: hire established professionals to teach future professionals. Today, AAU is the largest regionally-accredited private art and design school in the United States. AAU’s 15,800 students come from 112 countries to study both in San Francisco, a city known for the vibrancy of its art and design community, and online through AAU’s Cybercampus. In addition to offering M.Arch and B.Arch degrees in Architecture, the Academy also offers AA, BA, BFA, MA and MFA degrees in Acting, Advertising, Animation and Visual Effects, Art Education, Art History, , Fashion, Fashion Journalism, Fashion Styling, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Jewelry and Metal Arts, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures and Television, Multimedia Communications, Music Production and Sound Design for Visual Media, Visual Development, Photography, Web Design and New Media and an Art Teaching Credential. AAU continues its essential ties with the Stephens family through the President, Elisa Stephens, the granddaughter of the founder. While AAU’s urban location, core values and belief in an education by artists, for artists remain the same, the University has obviously seen tremendous growth in the 84 years since its founding. Today, the school consists of an urban campus encompassing 38 buildings, connected by an extensive Academy transportation service. AAU is well-placed to serve students in the context of 21st century education, attracting a diverse student body both nationally and internationally. Over 46% of the student body consists of minority or international students. In line with 21st century trends in higher education, AAU serves nearly 5,000 transfer students (45% of the undergraduate student population). AAU’s curriculum is delivered both onsite and online, allowing students to select a modality or complete their degree using a combination of both. Thirty-seven percent of AAU students study exclusively online and 58% take at least some of their classes online. AAU’s core commitment to promoting equal access to a rigorous art and design education, clearly manifested in its mission-based, inclusive admissions policy for undergraduates, is also in tune with today’s students, many of whom have not had access to such training in their secondary schooling. AAU also offers extensive educational support services to ensure that all students have access to the skills they need to succeed. Mission Academy of Art University prepares aspiring professionals in the fields of art, design, and communications by delivering excellent undergraduate and professional degree and certificate programs. To achieve its mission Academy of Art University: Maintains an inclusive admissions policy for all persons who meet basic requirements for admission and instruction and who want to obtain a higher education or in-depth learning in a wide spectrum of disciplines in art and design; Teaches a disciplined approach to the study of art and design that encourages students to develop their own styles that bend their talents, technical skills and creative aspirations with professional knowledge; 1 Academy of Art University Architecture Program Report- Continuing Candidacy March 2014 Enlists a dedicated and capable full-time and part-time faculty of career artists, designers and scholars who are professionals and whose success as educators comes from their ability to teach students through the wisdom and skill they have amassed through years of experience and study; Operates in an urban context so that academic programs can draw upon and contribute to the cultural wealth of those communities that are served; Provides a creative environment that is at once supportive and challenging and underpinned by excellent personalized teaching and support services that address the needs of students of diverse ages and backgrounds; Offers an undergraduate general education program designed to stimulate development of critical thinking and communication skills and to encourage emerging artists to draw upon a variety of disciplines, to look at issues from multiple perspectives and to cultivate the ability to function as educated global citizens; Manages in an ethical and efficient manner and administers the finances in a prudent fashion; and fosters optimum quality in all aspects of programs and service. AAU is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (receiving a 7-year grant of initial accreditation in May, 2007) and nationally accredited by the National Association of School of Art and Design (NASAD). AAU also has programmatic accreditations through NAAB (M Architecture program only) and CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation, BFA and MFA Interior Architecture and Design programs). History, Mission, Founding Principles of the Program AAU’s Architecture Program began in the fall of 2001 as an emphasis within the Interior Architecture and Design program. In the spring of 2002, AAU’s graduate Architecture program launched as two-year program open to students with a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture, interior architecture, or a related field. The department subsequently designed a 63 unit M. Arch degree and after proceeding through the NAAB accreditation process, was granted Candidate Status in January 2005 and Initial Accreditation in July 2006. In 2007, the program expanded to include an additional, 87-unit M. Arch degree track. In 2013, AAU was given an 8 year term of re-accreditation by NAAB for the Master of Architecture program. The next NAAB visit for the M. Arch program will be scheduled for 2021. The B.Arch degree program is founded out of AAU’s successful experience with the M. Arch program. The 5-year degree