The Art Institute of Washington (TAIW) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The Art Institute of Washington has a relatively short history as it was founded in 2000. However, its location gives the student who enrolls here an unequalled chance to go through a substantial part of the nation’s history as nearby are world-famous landmarks, buildings and monuments that identify America to the rest of the world.

An affiliate of the Art Institute of Atlanta, the Art Institute of Washington is located in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington is a thriving modern metropolis which is home to close to 200 parks and playgrounds providing visitors and residents with many recreation options.

The college’s close vicinity to Washington, D.C., means that students attending college here have first-hand experience with historical structures such as the Pentagon, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the National Cathedral and the Arlington National Cemetery. With the college’s campus located close to the Rosslyn Metro Station, students and staff of this institute have easy access to the entertainment and recreational facilities available in the nation’s capital.

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Information Summary

Ranks 76th in Virginia and 3184th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	48.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	N/A
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	51% / 29%
Enrollment Total (all students)	1,499

Academics

The Art Institute of Washington offers Bachelor’s and Associate degrees in several disciplines including design, fashion, media arts and culinary studies. This private institution has a student-faculty ratio of 20:1 guaranteeing that students obtain the attention they need from their professors.

Several media arts programs are offered at the institution and graduates earn diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees. The programs cover video production (associate in arts), digital filmmaking and video production (bachelor of fine arts), visual and game programming (Bachelor of Arts) and a bachelor of fine arts in visual effects and motion graphics.

Some of the diploma programs available include web design and development, commercial photography, video skills and digital image management. In a nutshell, the kind of media arts programs offered by this institution equip students with the kind of skills demanded by our ever-evolving technological world.

For students seeking careers in the high-profile fashion industry, the Art Institute of Washington offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in fashion and retail management as well as a diploma in fashion retailing. Students pursuing courses here get to learn drawing and design as well as the use of software in applied arts. The kind of skills acquired by the graduates of these programs come in handy for people seeking employment as designers, merchandisers and event promoters.

The institute also offers various design programs including graphic design (associate in arts), advertising (Bachelor of Arts) and interior design (bachelor of fine arts). There are also diplomas in digital design and advertising design.

Culinary programs offered at the institution include an associate in arts degree in culinary arts, an associate in arts degree in wine spirits and beverage management as well as diplomas in baking and pastry.

In addition to the technical programs offered at the institute, there exists a general education department whose aim is to enhance the professional training obtained in the technical subjects by equipping students with creative thinking skills and encouraging them to pursue independent learning.

The Art Institute of Washington is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Programs offered by the institution’s culinary department are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

The Art Institute of Washington admits holders of high school diplomas or those with acceptable General Equivalency Diploma (GED) scores. As proof of high school completion, the institute requires that applying students send transcripts showing grades obtained and the year of graduation. The institute gives preference to applicants with a grade point average of 3.0 and above.

In addition, applying students are required to send the official reports of their ASSET scores and, in their absence, SAT, ACT or COMPASS test scores.

Students wishing to transfer to the institute from other colleges or universities are required to arrange for a personal interview with an assistant director of admissions. In addition, they are required to provide transcripts showing previous institutions attended and grades obtained and official reports of ASSET test scores. Moreover, the institute only accepts transfer students from accredited institutions. The same applies to applicants who already hold a first degree but wish to study for a second one at the institute.

International students seeking admission at the institute are required to prove their proficiency in English as it is the institution’s language of instruction. Such applicants must obtain a minimum score of 500 in their written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test or a score of 173 for the computer-based TOEFL test.

The institution also accepts foreign students who successfully complete English 101/2 at an American university or college and obtain a score of C or better. International students are also required to provide bank statements showing their ability to both pay for college and meet other expenses. Where a student is being sponsored by a guardian, the institution requires an official statement of financial support.

Financial Aid

Students attending the Art Institute of Washington benefit from a wide range of financial aid programs. The institute has several scholarship programs that benefit both new and continuing students. In collaboration with other art institutes, the institution from time to time organizes the Art Institutes National Scholarships which are awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding educational capabilities and commitment to education.

High school seniors can also apply for the Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition which awards tuition scholarships to both local and national winners. Other scholarships include the Evelyn Keedy Memorial Scholarship and a host of scholarships offered by the National Organization Scholarships for Art Institutes. The National Art Honor Society also offers scholarships to high school seniors who are members of the organization and demonstrate academic excellence.

Program-specific scholarships could also be won through the National FCCLA Culinary, Fashion Construction and Interior Design competitions whose winners receive varying amounts for use in an art institute of their choice. One of the most lucrative scholarships is the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition which awards scholarships worth $10,000 to four students in art institutions.

Students of the institute who are members of the armed forces could apply for the U.S. Military Education benefits. Courtesy of the GI Bill, military veterans pursuing courses with the institute are entitled to monthly stipends to supplement their educational financial obligations. The institution also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, enabling it to offer veterans other financial concessions in addition to what they obtain through the GI Bill.

Incoming freshmen of the Art Institute of Washington could also apply for several federal grants such as the Federal Pell Grant which awards amounts varying between $400 to $5,500 per academic year to students with financial need who also satisfy other requirements (satisfactory academic progress is one critical requirement).

Other grants include the Academic Competitive Grant (ACG) and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Federal loans are also available and they are provided at low interest rates and carry flexible repayment terms. Such loans include the Federal Subsidized Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS).

Through the federal work-study program, the institute provides several part-time work opportunities for its needy students. Earnings from this employment are either paid directly to the student or credited to the student’s school account.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2265th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Virginia.

Students

Students enrolled at the Art Institute of Washington live in a multi-racial campus with close proximity to Washington, D.C., and Georgetown. The institute selects the facilities in which to house its students and currently there are six properties used for this purpose. These include Warwick House on 1221, South Eads St., Crystal Plaza on 2111 Jefferson Davis Highway and the Buchanan on 320 23rd street south. The type of accommodation varies but some of the facilities are two bedrooms, two-bath apartments and are fitted with basic apartment furnishings. Students in the apartments also have access to 24 hour internet.

At the institution, students with special needs are catered for by the Students Assistance Program which provides student counseling on a 24 hour basis. Issues handled by this office include budget assistance and some of the common problems in most colleges such as substance abuse, anxiety and depression.

For students with various forms of disabilities, the institution has established the Disability Service Office which, among other things, is mandated to provide accommodation that takes into account the special needs of physically challenged students. To obtain adequate insurance cover, the institute encourages its students to obtain online medical cover from the student medical insurance program which is sponsored by the National Collegiate Underwriters and Administrators.

Students wishing to carry out research online have access to the institution’s library services online. The library can also be accessed off-campus by use of provided usernames and passwords. The databases accessed online provide information on the institution’s instructional programs and therefore tend to be rather detailed.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Additional School Information

“About Us”. The Art Institution of Washington. 9th May 2011 http://www.artinstitutes.edu/arlington/about/

“Ai The Art Institutes”. All Art Schools. 9th May 2011 http://www.allartschools.com/school/the-art-institutes/virginia-arlington

“The Art Institute of Washington, a branch of The Art Institute of Altanta, GA.” 50 States.com. 9thMay 2011 http://www.50states.com/college/detail/va/440341.htm

The Art Institute of Washington