The Art Institute of Houston

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From the College

At The Art Institute of Houston, students develop practical skills that prepare them to pursue entry-level positions in the creative arts. Programs incorporate traditional liberal arts and hands-on instruction. Ten bachelor’s degrees and six associate degree programs are offered at the school.

Students come to The Art Institute of Houston from throughout 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 for an exciting entry-level position in the arts.

Students may take part in a number of clubs, social activities, and volunteer service projects in the community. Student activities include professional organizations such as the National Technical Honors Society, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Clubs include Baking and Pastry, Great Chefs, and Poetry.

The Art Institute of Houston will help students pursue entry-level employment after graduation. Job search training in the classrooms, one-on-one efforts, and an on-campus job fair for potential employers assist students in achieving this goal.

Many students live in The Park at Voss, a controlled-access apartment complex located 2.8 miles from the school and one block from the Metro bus line. The most common living arrangement at this complex is a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment shared by 4 students. Double and single student-apartment options are limited and based on seniority and availability.

One-on-one peer tutoring is available, and many faculty members provide tutoring and workshops that are specific to the courses they instruct. Art Institute of Houston mentors devote approximately 2 hours per week to assisting new students in their adjustment to both academic life and their new surroundings. In addition, assistance is available to help students with resume writing, networking, and keeping aware of what employers are looking for in job candidates.

The Art Institute of Houston 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 Houston. The Art Institute of Austin and The Art Institute of Houston–North are branch campuses of The Art Institute of Houston.

The Culinary Arts Diploma and Associate degree programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation, Inc. Accrediting Commission.

The Interior Design program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree 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 Houston is close to several major art museums, a premier opera, a ballet, a symphony, and live theater companies. Culturally diverse, Houston has several international ethnic communities, great restaurants, and an eclectic nightlife as well as national sports teams. The city features a mild, semitropical climate and sunny beaches in nearby Galveston and Mexico.

The Art Institute of Houston offers bachelor’s degree programs in audio production, culinary management, design & technical graphics, digital filmmaking & video production, fashion & retail management, graphic design, interior design, media arts &animation, photography, and Web design & interactive media.

Associate degree programs are available in baking & pastry, culinary arts, graphic design, kitchen & bath design, restaurant & catering management, and Web design & interactive media.

The interior design, Web design & interactive media, culinary arts, and culinary management programs are available in an evening and weekend option format.

A diploma program is offered in culinary arts.

The academic year is divided into four quarters of approximately eleven weeks each. Students may start their program of study in any quarter. Bachelor’s degrees can be earned upon completion of 180 academic credits over approximately twelve quarters. Associate degrees are earned upon completion of 90 to 108 academic credits, depending on the program, and can take seven to eight quarters. Diploma programs require the completion of 61 academic credits. Online programs are offered in two sessions per academic quarter.

The Art Institute of Houston Resource Center collection consists of approximately 28,000 books, 1,700 videos, 200 journals, 4 databases, and 850 discs containing imagery files, sound files, and software tutorials. The center includes twenty-eight computer stations for patron use. PCs provide access to the online catalog, the Internet, and some Microsoft Office products. Macintosh computers provide access to the online catalog and Internet and to the software that is utilized in design classes. Complimentary scanning and printing are available.

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 Houston faculty members have professional experience in their chosen fields, and many hold advanced degrees. There are full-time and part-time faculty members.

The Student Government is the primary vehicle for student participation in institutional decision making. The Student Government acts as a voice on behalf of the student body and sponsors speakers, workshops, seminars, and other activities. When students seek change or have a request that affects the student body as a whole, Student Government serves as a forum for discussion and decision making. All students are eligible to belong to Student Government.

Admission to The Art Institute of Houston begins with an interview with an assistant director of admissions, either in person or by phone. Upon approval, students submit an application for admission and an enrollment agreement. Prospective students must be high school graduates, hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or have earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution. The Art Institute of Houston considers alternative documentation from students who have completed high school or its equivalent but cannot provide the usual documentation. (The president of The Art Institute of Houston must approve all exceptions.) Evaluations are based on an applicant’s previous education, background, and stated or demonstrated interest in a particular program. Portfolios are required for admission to the media arts and animation program; they are welcomed for other programs but not required. Applicants who have taken the SAT or ACT are encouraged to submit their scores for evaluation. 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.