The Art Institute of Phoenix

The Art Institute of Phoenix Academics

The Art Institute of Phoenix, a private 4-year arts college, opened in 1995 with a class of just 45 students. As a branch of the Art Institute of Colorado Denver, it offered just four degree programs and 17 staff members. Over the course of the years the Art Institute of Phoenix has gradually added degree programs and has grown considerably, currently enrolling over 1,000 students each semester and offering a variety of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from design, media arts and culinary programs. With more than 40 North American campuses, the Art Institute is designed to offer year-round study opportunities to students from all walks of life, from recent high school graduates to adult and continuing education learners. The Art Institutes are the product of parent company Education Management Corporation, one of the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America.

Located in north-central Phoenix, the Art Institute of Phoenix’s home is a four-story building set in the heart of town with scenic mountain views. The Institute’s many classrooms, laboratory facilities, studios, and offices are based out of this location, as are the Culinary Arts kitchens, and the library- in the over 72,000-square-feet of collective space. This state-of-the-art learning center is equipped with full-time technology staff.

By working to provide students with not only a college education but career and technology training in the creative fields, the Art Institute of Phoenix prepares students for the real world’s job market. Popular areas of study include advertising, graphic, interior and Web design, and animation, multimedia, video and the culinary arts. The Art Institute of Phoenix’s 12 ever-expanding degree-granting programs offer Associate of Applied Science degrees and Bachelor of Arts degrees, including but not limited to exciting options like the baking & pastry arts-associate of applied science, the fashion marketing bachelor of arts, and the visual & game programming bachelor of arts. Flexible evening, weekend, online and on-ground course options are offered to students in the areas of culinary arts, culinary management, graphic design, and web design & interactive media. Students may also combine campus and online coursework to complete their degree requirements in these specified fields.

The Art Institute of Phoenix is authorized by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-secondary Education and accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Some programs require separate accreditation, like the associate of applied science degree program in culinary arts, which is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation, Inc. Accrediting Commission, and the bachelor’s degree in interior design program which is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

The Art Institute of Phoenix Admissions

When considering applying at the Art Institute of Phoenix, the first person to contact is an Assistant Director of Admissions, who can give you valuable information about programs of study, the campus, and set you up with a campus tour.

Prospective students must submit a high school transcript or GED equivalency scores, any transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions, and an essay which details how the applicant and the Art Institute of Phoenix are well matched to achieve the applicant’s academic goals. Evaluations of applications will be based on the student’s previous academic records, and the student’s interest in the elected area of study. The final step is to complete an application. Accepted students will be asked to complete an enrollment agreement within 10 days after submission of the application.

When applying students are encouraged to submit a portfolio, although it is not required unless the student is an applicant to the game art & design program. Students may also wish to submit, but are by no means required to complete, results for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Test (ACT).

The Art Institute of Phoenix Financial Aid

The Art Institute of Phoenix recommends that students begin the process of applying for financial aid as soon into their student application process as possible, and must fill out the FAFSA. Student may qualify for federal or state aid, private loans, and/or grants based on economic necessity and academic performance. Other funding options include scholarships, Veterans Administration benefits, and work study programs.

As is the case for all schools either directly or indirectly owned and operated by Education Management LLC, students are eligible for financial aid from the EDMC Education Foundation. The EDMC Education Foundation, a non-profit corporation, raises scholarship funds to assist enrolled and prospective student in achieving their academic and career-related goals.

Scholarships are a great option for Art Institute of Phoenix students, with many available options such as the Art Institutes Awards many scholarship programs including but not limited to the Art Institutes Merit Awards, the Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Scholarship Competition, and the Art Institutes Best Teen Chef Competition. Other scholarships include SkillsUSA, the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, C-Cap, and ProStart.

The Art Institute of Phoenix Students

All accepted students at the Art Institute of Phoenix must attend the mandatory new student orientation. Students will be introduced to student life, and meet important Art Institute of Phoenix contacts. Post-orientation students have access to the Student Affairs department which provides services like personal and disability counseling, student activities, and housing assistance.

Student housing options include school-sponsored housing communities managed by the Art Institute of Phoenix Housing Staff, including a full-time Residential Life Coordinator, the Director of Residential Life and Housing, and Student Resident Assistants. School-sponsored housing may be financed through financial aid, and includes furnishings, telephones, utilities, and same-sex roommate placement services. Some properties also include amenities like parking, fitness centers, internet cafes, swimming pools and Jacuzzis, and more.

Whether living in student-sponsored housing or not, all students at the Art Institute of Phoenix are able to use the convenient Valley Metro bus Transit System, and take advantage of the Institute’s proximity to grocery stores, shopping, banks, restaurants and pharmacies.

Many students get involved on campus by participating in one of the many organizations and activities, like the 23rd Avenue rAD Club, the Fashion Uncensored Club, the Green Movement club, the Meritage Society Culinary Arts Club, and the Studio 303 Club. Students also take advantage of the many available resources like the campus’s computer labs, life drawing labs, video production studio, audio production studio, library, art gallery, supply store, kitchens, and the Gallery Café.

The Art Institute of Phoenix Athletics

Although the Art Institute of Phoenix does not field any inter-collegiate sports teams, Phoenix is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, the Arena Football 1 Arizona Rattlers, the ECHL Phoenix RoadRunners, and the IBL’s Phoenix Flame.

The Art Institute of Phoenix Local Community

One of the most rapidly expanding areas in the United States, Phoenix, Arizona is set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Surrounded by natural wonders like the red rocks of Sedona, the Grand Canyon and rolling pine forests, it is truly a lovely place to live. The climate is arid with hot summers and temperate winters during which the temperature only drops below freezing a handful of times. By way of cultural venues Phoenix offers the Phoenix Symphony Hall with performances from the Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona, the Orpheum Theatre home of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Zoo, the Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park, and a slew of restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and nightlife venues. Other collegiate institutions located in and around the greater Phoenix area are Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, the American Indian College, Midwestern University Glendale, and the University of Phoenix.

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Special Focus Institutions — Schools of art, music, and design

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Bachelor's degree
Calendar System	Quarter
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification