There is provided a program generating apparatus including a generating unit and a genetic processing unit. The generating unit is configured to generate tree structures each representing an image classification program. Each of the tree structures has a first level group and a second level group. Elements of nodes in the first level group are selected from amongst image filters each used to apply preprocessing to an input image. An element of a node in the second level group is selected from amongst setting programs each used to set a different value as a control parameter for generating a classifier based on information obtained by execution of the elements selected for the nodes in the first level group. The genetic processing unit is configured to output, using genetic programming, a tree structure with a fitness score exceeding a predetermined threshold based on the tree structures.