The Art Institutes has announced that it will be closing all eight of its remaining locations across the nation. One of its former campuses was located in North Texas.
As a chain of private colleges scattered across Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Texas, the for-profit group’s decision to close will impact a great number of students.
The Art Institute campus in Dallas, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, had a full-time enrollment of 506 undergraduate students. They were enrolled in a variety of degree programs, including web page and digital design, multimedia, culinary arts and food service, and many more.
Yet after running into financial trouble following the loss of its accreditation in 2018, the organization announced that all schools would be closed as of September 30. Campuses were located in eight cities: Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, and Virginia Beach.
The network of colleges sent an email to students and faculty on September 22 informing them that it was ceasing operations, according to CultureMap Dallas.
The system announced that it would mail each of its students five different copies of their transcripts free of charge as a one-time courtesy, encouraging them to seek out alternative education. Students who did not have their current addresses saved were warned that their transcripts may be delayed or not arrive.
Yet the organization said it has not had the time to facilitate the transfer of its own accord.
“Due to the timing of this decision, The Art Institutes have not had sufficient time to engage with other colleges and universities in their respective markets to sign formal agreements for students to transfer and continue their studies elsewhere,” said the school system in a statement, according to CultureMap.
“The Art Institutes are working with state agencies and The Art Institutes’ accrediting agency, Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, to identify appropriate academic transfer opportunities for students affected by this closure.”
Students are advised to contact the United States Department of Education for further assistance. International students are encouraged to contact the Student and Exchange Visitor Program Response Center to determine how the closure might affect them.
