Rhode Island School of Design - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Academics at RISD are based on a number of variables, two being what major you choose and whether you decide to “concentrate” in a liberal-arts field. The differences in majors have to do with departmental budgets and resources, individual faculty members, and overall departmental philosophy. Each major has a different number of required major credits, with some allowing students to take more classes outside their major and others almost taking up a student’s entire studio course load. Regardless of major, studio classes are almost always challenging and enriching, and they demand all of a student’s resources to complete them successfully.

The faculty is the driving force behind RISD’s strenuous and exciting classes. It is safe to say that while there may be the odd professor that does not meet what the high-standard students expect from their faculty, professors at RISD are professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to their students and their field. When it comes to liberal arts, students may “concentrate,” which is similar to having a minor, in English, art history, or HPSS (history, philosophy,and social science). These concentrators, which put more effort into their liberal-arts experience, tend to produce students who come away more satisfied with their classes because their academic study interacts more with their studio study, bringing it to a higher level. While it’s true that some liberal-arts courses may not be as rigorous, nearly all seminar courses, among others, are just as challenging as an equivalent class at almost any liberal arts university.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The liberal arts improved so much... The liberal arts improved so much with new faculty and more courses to choose from. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Almost all of my major teachers... Almost all of my major teachers have been so invested that I’m sure they don’t get paid enough for what they do. We have all the contact info for them, and there’s been many times where I was having a problem in the studio at 10 at night, and I could call my professor and she talked me through it, or she came in to help. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Most of the teachers I have had... Most of the teachers I have had here have a lot of expectations of their students. They are dedicated and driven and will go out of their way to help students, giving them just as much back as the students put in. My classes are very interesting. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

There are too many RISD alumni as... There are too many RISD alumni as teachers. However, if you get into the right class, it’s very interesting. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Almost the only teachers that I... Almost the only teachers that I have had that I would consider bad were in Foundation Year. Everything is less specialized, and it doesn’t seem they’re quite as into the class. But then again, it really depends on what teachers you happened to get. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

RISD students may register for classes at Brown University.

Among other study abroad programs, RISD has a European Honors Program that allows students to study in Rome for a year.

RISD has a mini-semester in January, called Wintersession, during which students are offered experimental courses, travel courses, and internship opportunities.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Helen Koh
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Graphic Design/Painting

Helen is very good at sandwich making.

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