The Art Institute of California–Orange County

Colleges You May Like

• Academy of Art University
• The Art Institute of California–Los Angeles
• The Art Institute of California–San Diego
• The Art Institute of California–San Francisco
• California College of the Arts

From the College

The Art Institute of California–Orange County helps prepare students to pursue entry-level positions in the creative arts through an environment that encourages academic freedom, responsible decision making, and critical thinking. A collaborative environment encourages personal and professional growth while promoting teamwork and communication. The Art Institute of California–Orange County offers twelve bachelor’s degree programs and five associate degree programs.

Students are taught professional skills; instructors and staff members assist students in portfolio development and professional resume creation. Many gain on-the-job skills through participation in internships or externships at local companies and nationally recognized corporations. Assistance is available to help students with resume writing, networking, and keeping abreast of what employers are looking for in job candidates.

Students come from across the country and abroad. The student population includes recent high school graduates, transfer students, and those who have left a previous employment situation to study and train for a new career.

The Art Institute of California–Orange County offers school-sponsored housing, featuring furnished apartment units that include laundry facilities, a fitness center, a pool, a spa, and tennis courts. Each unit is within walking distance of a variety of restaurants, grocery stores, and retail establishments. Apartment information and roommate referrals are available to enrolled students who choose to live outside of school-sponsored housing.

The school provides an environment that encourages involvement in a wide variety of academic and nonacademic activities. Student organizations include chapters of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), International Game Developers Association (IGDA), and American Society of Interior Designers. Clubs include the Multimedia and Web Design Club, the OC Ad Club, Women in Animation, and the Classic Game Club. Music Madness, Pizza with the Prez, All-School Picnic, Drive-in Movie Night, Stress Relief Events, and Meet the Pros–a professional speaker series–are just a few of the many school-sponsored offerings.

The Art Institute of California–Orange County is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and diplomas. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Art Institute of California–Orange County has been granted approval to operate by the California Bureau for Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education (California Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S-308, Sacramento, California 95834; phone: 916-574-8200; Web site: www.bppve.ca.gov).

The Art Institute of California–Orange County is strategically located in the heart of the booming Southern California region that includes the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura. Southern California is a central hub of the entertainment, advertising, design, aerospace, and culinary industries. Orange County offers 42 miles of beautiful, sandy Pacific Ocean coastline, and wilderness parks are minutes away for camping, hiking, and biking. The area has more than 250 sunny days a year and is home to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and world-renowned cultural events, including the annual Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts.

Bachelor of Science degrees are available in advertising, culinary management, fashion design, fashion marketing & management, game art & design, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, media arts & animation, visual & game programming, visual effects & motion graphics, and Web design & interactive media.

Associate of Science degrees are offered in baking & pastry, culinary arts, digital photography, graphic design, and Web design & interactive media.

The culinary arts, culinary management, graphic design, and interior design programs are available in an evening and weekend option format.

Diploma programs are offered in art of cooking and baking & pastry.

A bachelor’s degree requires the completion of 192 credits, while an associate degree requires the completion of 112 academic credits. The academic year is divided into four quarters that begin in January, April, July, and October. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to continue to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

The school arranges study trips to local cultural and commercial sites. These visits offer an opportunity for valuable exposure to places and events relating to the student’s field of study. In addition, out-of-town seminars and visits may be planned in individual programs.

The Student Tutoring Program is a peer-to-peer tutoring assistance program that is available to all current students. Each tutor has unique qualifications in his or her area of expertise.

The Art Institute of California–Orange County was designed with the creative student in mind. Light, spacious classrooms and well-equipped studios, professional-skill kitchens, and computer labs offer a productive working atmosphere to explore and render creativity. On-site equipment includes projectors, editing decks, camcorders, Windows NT and Macintosh computers, printers, and well-equipped kitchens. The Library/Learning Resources Center develops and maintains a readily available collection of books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and CD-ROMs. Remote access to information sources is available through the Internet. Resources focus on creative art, design, and multimedia production as well as support for general education enhancement in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and communication. The school also maintains an art supply store for the convenience of its students. 50 Forks, a dining lab that operates as a full-service restaurant, is overseen by professional chef faculty members and operated by upper-level culinary students as a final passage prior to graduation.

Tuition costs may be obtained by contacting the school or by visiting the school’s Web site. Additional expenses include a first-quarter starting kit and lab fees for some programs.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Students who require financial assistance should first complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet with a financial aid officer.

The faculty members at The Art Institute of California–Orange County bring a professional perspective and industry standards into the classroom to better prepare students for entry-level positions upon graduation.

The President’s Club is a group of students who promote the philosophy of “students helping students.” Members act as emissaries for the school and as a liaison between students and faculty and staff members. The club assists new students as well as helping in the organization and promotion of campus activities. Student members must be nominated for the organization by a member of the faculty or staff.

Prospective students must hold a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate or have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. High school seniors who have not yet graduated should submit a partial transcript that indicates their expected graduation date. All prospective students are required to submit two essays of approximately one page in length describing what they expect from the school and how an education at The Art Institute of California–Orange County may help them to reach their career goals. Applicants are interviewed either in person or by telephone by an assistant director of admissions. In addition, other standardized exams, such as the SAT or ACT, may be considered. Prospective students may apply at any time prior to the start of the upcoming quarter, and applications may be submitted online or mailed directly to the school. There is a $50 application fee.

For the most recent information regarding admission requirements, please refer to the current academic catalog.

To obtain an application, make arrangements for an interview, or tour the school, students should contact:

The Art Institute of Atlanta®; The Art Institute of Atlanta®–Decatur; The Art Institute of Austin℠, A branch of The Art Institute of Houston; The Art Institute of California℠–Hollywood; The Art Institute of California℠–Inland Empire; The Art Institute of California℠–Los Angeles; The Art Institute of California℠–Orange County; The Art Institute of California℠–Sacramento; The Art Institute of California℠–San Diego; The Art Institute of California℠–San Francisco; The Art Institute of California℠–Sunnyvale; The Art Institute of Charleston℠, A branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta; The Art Institute of Charlotte®; The Art Institute of Colorado®; The Art Institute of Dallas®; The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale®; The Art Institute of Houston®; The Art Institute of Houston–North®; The Art Institute of Indianapolis℠*; The Art Institute of Jacksonville℠, A branch of Miami International University of Art & Design; The Art Institute of Las Vegas®; The Art Institute of Michigan℠; The Art Institute of New York City®; The Art Institute of Ohio℠–Cincinnati**; The Art Institute of Philadelphia®; The Art Institute of Phoenix®; The Art Institute of Pittsburgh®; The Art Institute of Portland®; The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham℠; The Art Institute of Salt Lake City℠; The Art Institute of Seattle®; The Art Institute of Tampa℠, A branch of Miami International University of Art & Design; The Art Institute of Tennessee℠–Nashville, A branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta; The Art Institute of Tucson℠; The Art Institute of Vancouver℠; The Art Institute of Washington℠***, A branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta; The Art Institute of York–Pennsylvania℠; The Art Institutes International–Kansas City℠; The Art Institutes International Minnesota℠; The Illinois Institute of Art®–Chicago; The Illinois Institute of Art®–Schaumburg; Miami International University of Art & Design℠; The New England Institute of Art®.

*The Art Institute of Indianapolis is regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 W. Washington St., Rm. E201, Indianapolis, IN 46204, AC-0080.

**The Art Institute of Ohio–Cincinnati, 8845 Governors Hill Drive, Suite 100, Cincinnati, OH 45249-3317, OH Reg. #04-01-1698B.

***Certified by the State Council of Higher Education to operate in Virginia.