The Art Institute of Philadelphia

The Art Institute of Philadelphia Academics

Founded in 1971 by local artist Philip Trachtman, the Art Institute of Philadelphia is a private college which has since become part of the network of over 40 art institutes located across the United States. Students attend classes in the heart of Center City Philadelphia in an Art Deco building from 1928 — now an official historical site — as well as four other facilities in the neighborhood. Focusing on (1) applied arts technology, (2) the design business and (3) an advanced program in the culinary arts, the Art Institute of Philadelphia is geared to providing a basis for students to enter the different applied arts professions at the entry level. Total enrollment is around 3,600 students.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools has accredited the Art Institute of Philadelphia to award bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and diplomas. While the college is also a candidate for accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (a regional commission), the Art Institute of Philadelphia’s Associate of Science Degree in the Culinary Arts is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.

Offering 13 different Bachelor of Science Degrees as well as nine Associate of Science Degree programs and two Diplomas, the Art Institute of Philadelphia has several different levels of study available.

In design, bachelor’s degrees are available in Advertising, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Industrial Design. For Media Arts majors, Bachelor of Science degrees are available in Audio Production, Digital Video & Filmmaking Production, Media Arts & Animation, Photography, Visual Effects & Motion Graphics and Web Design & Interactive Media. Fashion Majors can receive their B.S. in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing, while a B.S. in Culinary Management rounds out the group of four-year degrees offered by the institute.

For busy adults, an evening and weekend program is available for students pursuing degrees in the Culinary Arts.

The Art Institute of Philadelphia Admissions

Because the Institute runs on four academic quarters, students can apply towards the end of each season to begin their college careers, with applications due typically one month before class begins. Applicants must submit an Application for Admission and an Enrollment Agreement along with the application fee. The application can be completed online. After receiving an acknowledgment letter, applicants must pay an enrollment fee and forward a brief essay along with high school transcripts and SAT and ACT scores, or GED scores and diploma.

Requirements for admission to the Art Institute of Philadelphia include a high school diploma with either a minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum SAT score of 880 or a minimum ACT score of 18. Students who hold a GED must have scores of at least 246. Students who have already completed associate’s or higher degrees need only forward their transcripts to fulfill the requirement.

Applicants for the Audio Production Bachelor of Science program must have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5, a minimum SAT Math score of 450 or an ACT Math score of at least 18. Applicants with a GED must have a minimum score of 450.

Above all, the application process aims to understand the applicant, with numbers as part of the supporting evidence. Interviews will be conducted with all applicants.

The Art Institute of Philadelphia Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to students who wish to attend the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Every applicant should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to begin the process. State and federal grants may be available, along with loans. In addition, the Art Institute offers scholarships to the winners of several different contests.

The Art Institutes Scholarship Competition and Art Institutes Merit Awards are two examples of need and talent-based scholarships. The Best Teen Chef and Passion for Fashion Scholarships are awarded to the emerging talents in each respective field.

In addition, national scholarships are available to Art Institute students. High school students who are members of the National Art Honor Society can receive scholarships for placing in the top five of the competition. C-Cap students can receive a full scholarship that covers two years of tuition at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. ProStart students can vie for scholarships to be used for the Culinary Arts Program.

The Art Institute of Philadelphia Students

Students coming to the Art Institute of Philadelphia are from all over the country and world. While some students will enroll directly out of high school, many others enroll in search of a new career or continued education. For the challenges faced from either point of view, there is a Department of Student Affairs just down Chestnut street from the main building.

About 30% of Art Institute of Philadelphia students live in campus housing. Applicants can include the cost of residence fees as part of the financial application. Beyond that, many students choose to live in Center City for its ease of access and many cultural benefits.

For the majority of work students will need to do, there are 22 computer labs, of which 13 are operating with Macintosh machines. Most of these are equipped with internet. Because the majority of majors include hands-on application, there are design labs and post-production studios where students can fine-tune their projects. One of the highlights is a 1500 square-foot media room, where editing equipment is on hand for Media Arts Majors. Photography Majors have extensive darkrooms and imaging studios. Culinary Arts Majors have a full a la carte kitchen at their disposal to try their hand in a real work environment, but the biggest test is the faculty/student-operated restaurant called Petite Passion.

The amount of clubs available to students at the Art Institute of Philadelphia is extensive. From comic book collectors to Christian organizations and an intramural basketball league, there are a number of ways to spend your time in a constructive and enjoyable way. Additionally, each area of study has groups that meet to exchange ideas on the curriculum and share ideas for upcoming presentations. Joining student groups is recommended as a way to enter college life smoothly. The entire list of organizations is available from the Department of Student Affairs.

The Art Institute of Philadelphia Local Community

Attending the Art Institute of Philadelphia has the added benefit of living in America’s sixth-largest city, the site of many key events in the American Revolution. Close to the school are the sites where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and where Benjamin Franklin established the first post office. The beautiful Old City area has an authentic eighteenth-century feel with its excellently preserved buildings.

For art students, there are a number of resources, including a world-renowned Art Museum and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Just outside the city is the legendary Barnes foundation, where one of the best collections of French Impressionist painters resides. Because the downtown area of Philadelphia is relatively compact, students are able to use public transportation, or simply walk the short distances between institute locations. Four of five institute facilities are on three blocks of Chestnut Street.

For further exploring, Fairmount Park, which is the largest park within city limits in the United States, has countless access points throughout the city. One of the finest stretches wraps around the Art Museum and down the River Drives.

Sports enthusiasts can see games in all four of the major U.S. sports, with all four teams playing in South Philadelphia, a short distance from the campus of the Art Institute of Philadelphia.

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