The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire Named School of Distinction

Art Institute of California-Inland Empire President Emam El-Hout receives a "School of Distinction" award from Elise Scanlon, executive director of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology in a recent ceremony.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology has named The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire a School of Distinction for 2007-2008.

“We are honored to receive the School of Distinction Award from ACCSCT,” said Emam El-Hout, president of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “Here at The Art Institute, we believe that our success is measured by the quality educational experience that we provide for our students. Our faculty and staff are committed to a high level of achievement and we are proud of our growing reputation as a superior institution of higher learning here in the Inland Empire.”

California State Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, whose district includes The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, is also pleased to see it obtain this recognition.

“Congratulations to the staff, faculty, students and graduates of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire on your dedication and professionalism in pursuing and earning a five-year accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and being named an ACCSCT School of Distinction,” Assembly Member Carter said. “This significant achievement demonstrates the Art Institute's ongoing commitment to providing the very best career education in design, fashion, media arts and culinary programs for students in the Inland Empire.”

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire received this distinction in late August. This comes on the heels of a five-year accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, which the Art Institute received in November 2007.

It received the “School of Distinction” designation because it operates its programs to the complete satisfaction of the accrediting team, thus no aspect needs to be examined later. In contrast, many schools are accredited with a condition that some aspect of their program be re-evaluated for improvement during the accreditation term, according to a representative of the commission.

"Of the 173 institutions considered by ACCSCT for initial or renewal of accreditation during the time period August 2007 through May 2008, only 45 institutions qualified for the School of Distinction Award," said Michale McComis, incoming executive director of the organization. "I hope everyone at the Art Institute – Inland Empire has an opportunity to celebrate this significant achievement.

Any school given a full accreditation during the previous year is eligible for the School of Distinction award.

“A five-year approval is unusual for a new school,” said Jerry Foust, dean of Academic Affairs for The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. “We are very proud to have achieved this in such a short amount of time.”

The ACCSCT School of Distinction Award recognizes member schools that have demonstrated a commitment to its expectations, as well as a commitment to delivering quality educational programs to the students, graduates and employers.

The accreditation process is a comprehensive review of all academic and ancillary activities and resources that support an institution’s educational objectives and the programs it offers. The accreditation process takes 1 ½ to 2 years, and studies the delivery of programs and educational outcomes. Outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of educational programs including favorable completion and job placement rates, state licensing examinations and success with employer and student satisfaction.

To be eligible for the 2007 - 2008 School of Distinction Award, a school must successfully complete the accreditation process and be reviewed by the Commission from May 2007 through May 2008. This took place at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire in November 2007.

ACCSCT is comprised of more than 800 private, postsecondary career schools and colleges. The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire was one of twenty-three schools to receive this award nationwide, and one of two campuses of the Art Institutes, along with The Art Institute of Indianapolis.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire opened its doors less than three years ago with only 40 students. As of August 2008, the school boasts more than 800 students.

When the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire first opened in January 2006, it only offered the Graphic Arts, Web Design & Interactive Media and Interior Design programs. It began offering Media Arts & Animation and Game Art & Design in its second quarter.

It added programs in Culinary Arts and Culinary Management in January 2007.

By the time the team from The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology came to visit, all of these programs were fully operational, and the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire also had its Fashion & Retail Management and Fashion Design programs in the works, Foust said. So, the commission approved all of these programs, but will need to return to examine the fashion programs, which began instruction earlier this year.

The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 40 education institutions located throughout North America.

It’s not too late to enroll at The Art Institutes of California - Inland Empire. The Fall midterm enrollment begins Nov. 13 For more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at 1-800-353-0812 or (909) 915-2100, or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

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