The Art Institute of California–San Diego

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From the College

The Art Institute of California–San Diego helps prepare students to pursue entry-level positions in the creative marketplace by teaching professional skills. Instructors and staff members direct students’ portfolio development and resume creation, while partnerships with local and national employers help to deliver relevant education that can benefit both students and employers. The school offers eleven bachelor’s degrees options as well as four associate degree programs.

Academic programs are carefully created with the support and contributions of members of the professional community through Program Advisory Committees. Curricula are further reviewed by faculty members and industry professionals to ensure that they assist students in preparing for the needs of a changing marketplace.

Career Services keeps track of employer satisfaction and industry trends to provide employers with candidates who fulfill their needs while working to assist in graduates’ career goals. In addition, assistance is available to help students with resume writing, networking, and keeping aware of what employers are looking for in job candidates.

Students come to The Art Institute of California–San Diego from across the United States 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. Students are creative, competitive, and open to new ideas. They place great value on an education that prepares them to pursue an exciting entry-level position in the arts.

Students may join the Advertising Club, the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), the Comic Club, the Level Design Club, the Theatre Club, and the interactive or 3-D clubs. Art Institute of California–San Diego students help the national Ad Club by designing and producing collateral as well as participating in such events as holiday parties, media auctions, and creative shows. Students may also serve on the Student Council, which plans school social and cultural events.

Students may live in school-sponsored housing at The Club at River Run, located 1.5 miles from the school and adjacent to the trolley line. Four students share a two-bedroom, fully furnished apartment. The complex offers many amenities, including a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis courts, fitness center, and a clubhouse. Two resident assistants live in the complex and have organized events such as potlucks, bowling nights, video game tournaments, cookouts, pizza parties, and faculty-student dinners. Security is provided by on-site management during the day and courtesy patrols in the evening hours. Supermarkets, banks, coffee shops, and fast food are conveniently located nearby. The Student Affairs Department provides information on roommate referrals and apartment rentals.

The Art Institute of California–San Diego is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of The American Culinary Federation.

The Art Institute of California–San Diego 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).

Within a 2-hour drive are mountains, deserts, Los Angeles, Mexico, surfing, water sports, tennis, golf, jogging, mountain biking, and beaches. San Diego offers many regional shopping centers as well as picturesque spots, including the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Seaport Village, Old Town, Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp District, and La Jolla. The opera, symphony, live theater district, professional and collegiate athletic events, and concerts are also nearby. San Diego’s average daytime temperature is 70 degrees, and the city averages 267 sunny days each year.

The Art Institute of California–San Diego offers bachelor’s degree programs in advertising, audio production, culinary management, fashion design, fashion marketing & management, game art & design, graphic design, interior design, media arts & animation, visual & game programming, and Web design & interactive media.

Associate degree programs are available in advertising, baking & pastry, culinary arts, and graphic design.

The graphic design and interior design programs are also available in an evening and weekend option format.

The Art Institute of California–San Diego operates on a year-round, four-quarter system.

The Art Institute of California–San Diego is home to a student book and supply store, student lounge, computer labs with both PC and Macintosh computers, art production studios, life drawing rooms, culinary kitchens and storage, an Interior Design Resource Center, a Learning Resource Center (LRC), administrative offices, and classrooms.

Light, spacious classrooms and well-equipped studios are designed to breed creativity. The library and Learning Resource Center provide a readily available collection of books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and CD-ROMs as well as access to remote sources 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 Palette is a restaurant open to the public that is operated by senior-level culinary students and overseen by faculty members who are professional chefs.

Tuition cost varies by program. Prospective students should contact the school for current tuition costs. Other charges include a starting kit for all first-quarter students. Kits vary in price depending on the program of study.

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 Art Institute of California–San Diego has part-time and full-time faculty members, many of whom are experienced in their respective fields. By tapping the experience of industry professionals, the school is able to bring a professional perspective into the classroom.

Prospective students must be high school graduates or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. 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 write an essay of approximately 150 words describing how an education at The Art Institute of California–San Diego will help them to attain their creative goals. An interview, either in person or by telephone, is required. SAT or ACT scores may also be considered. Applications may be submitted online or mailed 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 or make arrangements for an interview or tour of the school, prospective 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.