Overview
From the College
At The Art Institute of Atlanta, students are given the opportunity to learn new ways to apply talent, energy, and skill in the creative arts. The school provides an educational environment with a particular focus on changing technologies and other requirements of the global marketplace.
The Art Institute of Atlanta offers fifteen bachelor's degree programs and seven associate degree options to students. The school seeks to provide a curriculum that integrates conceptual and analytical skills with education to prepare students to pursue entry-level employment in the creative arts. Assistance is available to help students with resume writing, networking, and keeping abreast of what employers are looking for in job candidates.
Students come to The Art Institute of Atlanta 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.
The Art Institute of Atlanta, including its satellite campus and its branch campuses--The Art Institute of Atlanta--Decatur, The Art Institute of Charleston, The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, and The Art Institute of Washington--is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The Art Institute of Atlanta, its satellite campus, and its branch campuses.
The Associate in Arts in culinary arts and the Bachelor of Science degree in culinary arts management are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation, Inc. Accrediting Commission.
The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at The Art Institute of Atlanta is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (146 Monroe Center NW, Suite 1318, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2822; Web site: www.accredit-id.org).
The Art Institute of Atlanta is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Location
Located in bustling suburban Atlanta, the school is close to public transportation and within walking distance of a shopping center with movie theaters, several restaurants, and stores. One of the city's largest malls is less than a 10-minute drive--or one subway stop from The Art Institute of Atlanta. There are at least thirty restaurants within a 15-minute drive. Students enjoy clubs and concerts, galleries and museums, baseball games, and Rollerblading in Piedmont Park. The High Museum of Art, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, and dozens of art galleries throughout the city are wonderful resources for creative-minded students.
Programs of Study and Degrees
The Art Institute of Atlanta offers bachelor's degree programs in advertising, audio production, culinary arts management, digital filmmaking & video production, fashion & retail management, food & beverage management, game art & design, graphic design, illustration & design, interior design, media arts & animation, photographic imaging, visual & game programming, visual effects & motion graphics, and Web design & interactive media.
Associate in Arts degree programs are offered in culinary arts; culinary arts with a concentration in baking and pastry; graphic design; photographic imaging; video production; Web design & interactive media; and wine, spirits, & beverage management.
The culinary arts, culinary arts management, graphic design, and interior design programs are available in an evening and weekend option format.
Diploma programs are offered in advertising design, commercial photography, culinary arts--baking and pastry, culinary arts--culinary skills, digital design, residential interiors, video skills, and Web design.
Academic Programs
The academic year of The Art Institute of Atlanta is divided into four academic quarters that begin in January, April, July, and October. Full-time students typically take 16 academic credits per quarter. An associate degree can be earned in as little as six to seven quarters (approximately two years), and a bachelor's degree can be earned in as little as twelve quarters (three to four years). Students may take online classes in order to earn a degree on a flexible schedule, or they may take online classes as a supplement to traditional classroom learning.
Academic Facilities
Facilities at The Art Institute of Atlanta are concentrated in two buildings for easy access. There are Mac and PC computer labs for student use. Specialty labs and studios include a digital editing lab, digital imaging lab, wet photo lab, audio lab, photography studio, video studio, and control room. The school offers art labs, figure and still-life drawing studios, drafting labs, classrooms wired for Internet access, a conference room, and meeting rooms. The Art Institute of Atlanta library holds more than 40,000 items, including books, videotapes, DVDs, CD-ROMs, more than 40 online full-text databases, and access to libraries at other local colleges and universities. The Interior Design Department has a special resource library.
Culinary arts students learn in professional teaching kitchens. Creations Dining Lab, the teaching dining room of the culinary arts program, allows students to gain hands-on experience similar to what they'll experience in the real world. Students work under the skilled direction of chef instructors to create lunch and dinner for restaurant patrons.
The Gallery, located on the first floor, is a noncommercial exhibition space that reflects and exemplifies the artwork of professionals, faculty members, students, and graduates in their professional fields. The gallery's goals are to inspire and challenge students through examples of accomplished artists, to provide opportunities to increase public awareness of The Art Institute of Atlanta and its importance in the art community, and to enrich the learning community at the school through exhibitions that demonstrate high levels of excellence.
Costs
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
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.
Faculty
The Art Institute of Atlanta faculty includes full-time and part-time instructors with professional experience in their respective fields. Faculty members pride themselves on building close personal relationships with students. Most maintain an informal open-door policy and are available to meet with students and student organizations.
Student Government
The Student Advisory Assembly, the representative body of students, meets regularly to discuss policy matters and to plan programs to enhance student life. The assembly offers a valuable opportunity for students to learn the principles of leadership as well as communication and human relations skills. Other organizations dedicated to student life include the Housing Council, International Student Association, Student Activities Board, and Student Ambassadors. Students may take part in several student organizations, such as professional organizations for creative artists, which provide networking and other career opportunities.
Admission Requirements
To apply to The Art Institute of Atlanta, students must submit an application for admission, a 150-word essay, a signed notice regarding transferability for credit earned, and high school transcripts or General Educational Development (GED) test scores. Official reports of SAT, ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS scores must also be given to the school. Finally, students are required to complete an interview with an assistant director of admissions and to present a portfolio of their work. There is a $50 application fee.
Admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee, which consists of school faculty and staff members. The committee determines whether an applicant has a reasonable chance to be successful at The Art Institute of Atlanta, based upon the applicant's academic record, essay, and the appropriateness of stated career goals as they relate to the chosen program of study.
For the most recent information regarding admission requirements, please refer to the current academic catalog.
Application and Information
To obtain an application, make arrangements for an interview, or tour the school, students should contact:
The Art Institute of Atlanta
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, N.E.
100 Embassy Row
Atlanta, Georgia 30328-1635, United States
Telephone: 770-394-8300
800-275-4242 (toll-free)
Fax: 770-394-0008
World Wide Web: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta
Footnotes
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.
