The Hussian School of Art

I don't think you can fully judge a school until you are out of the field for a few years, these current students know absolutely nothing about the real world. Most of the students I graduated with that I've spoken with are unhappy.

They will except anyone, ANYONE who walks in the door for a critique of their portfolio. Also Ronald dove fell asleep during my interview. The hussian students are easily tricked into feeling like they never left high school . The tacky McDonald's toys on the wall should easily show you how serious they take their school ( shouldnt it be artwork not happy meal toys).

The degree is absolutely worthless in the real world, no one will hire you with a associates degree in "specialized technology", what does that even mean? Stay away from this trap school. They'll take your money and leave you jobless, they say that the school has a 90%. Job placement.... Absolute bull shit. It should be 90% don't find jobs. Most of the teachers are graduates that won't speak the truth about the real world jobs because why... They haven't had any and they were forced to teach to find any steady job. I bet abunch of you disillusioned current students will disagree with me, because they don't know what its like in the real world. I compare hussian to a high school tech school. It's so easy to love hussian as I did as a student there , it has a tight knit high school feel that is comforting, but does not relate to the real world at all! I think the government should permanently ban for profit schools like these, it's a scam. Do your research on for profit schools.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Upon taking a tour of Hussian School of Art for the first time, you might think "Hey, this school is awesome! It's small and seems more like a tight knit group of like-minded, creative individuals. There's toys and fun things in every hallway. There's even a library and brand new, state of the art computers! I really hope I'm accepted into this school!"

Those were my thoughts.
Here are the facts:

1. Hussian is a FOR PROFIT school. They approve EVERY PERSON, regardless of their artistic talent. This is no secret. Plus, they only actually accept a handful (25-35) of freshmen students every year, so you have to let them know ASAP if you're going to start in the fall. It's basically first come, first served.

2. You can only earn an ASSOCIATES degree or a certification upon graduating. When I was a senior at Hussian, there were people in my class who thought they would be getting a Bachelors degree soon. When I told them they were incorrect, they became confused and upset. Hussian DOES NOT make it clear that they only give out Associates degrees. It takes FOUR YEARS to earn this degree at Hussian.

3. Classes at Hussian are five days a week, six hours a day (9am-3pm). Yes, similar to having a full time job where you don't get paid. Also, you must be out of the building by around 5pm every day when they lock up, which means if you need to use a computer or a studio room to finish your work, you'd better finish it quick!

4. Most teachers are graduates of Hussian. This means they do not actually have a degree to teach (you need a Bachelors degree and state certification to be a teacher). It does mean that, after graduating, they couldn't get a professional job and instead came back to teach Hussian students how to color inside the lines.

5. There are no academic classes. This is a selling point for students who didn't do well in math, science, and/or english classes in high school, or who don't have a very high SAT score. There are also NO extracurricular activities such as clubs nor are there dorms/student housing.

6. Hussian threatened and sued a student (who had dropped out) simply because he made a negative review about the school on his PERSONAL website. Hussian is clearly not a fan of the First Amendment (freedom of speech).

And here are my personal opinions:

1. They don't care about students, they only care that they get paid.
2. Hussian DOES NOT help alumni/students get jobs. It has nothing to do with talent. I can't emphasize this enough. It's all about the degree of ass kissing you provide. Do it enough and they will comply, especially if it benefits them (ie get an internship with a teacher - they benefit because they end up having to do less work and they don't have to pay you).3. Hussian is more like a cult than a school. People become either blindly and completely dedicated, often to an astonishing degree, or they will begin to loathe the school and try to forget that that part of their life ever happened.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Avoid this school at all costs. If you're looking to pursue any career in edgy, important and inspiring design or illustration, apply to another school. This is a for profit school and they will accept anyone who applies. The tuition like any other school increases yearly and seems affordable, however it is overpriced for the education you dont get. you will probably really enjoy your first 2 years as they were the most interesting for me and others, however it probably really wont be like that for you. The teachers in this school are in and out just like the students which means the curriculum changes frequently. This schools dropout rate is depressing. The teachers are moved around to teach different classes every year who arent even experienced in those specific skills. The classes are uninspiring, teachers try to tell you that you're style of work wont make money, that there's no market for illustration, and their emphasis is mainly on advertising art and illustration. no creative freedom here. If you love fantasy and sci fi illustration, i guess you might be happy for like 2 years. after that, no one gives a shit either way. you will get bored, the social climate of this school is a snore. everyone comes to class (or doesnt because theyve realized this school sucks) and then goes home. there are no contests, art showings, exhibits, clubs, etc. there is fundraising senior year for the senior showcase, which can involve pot lucks and water pong, but thats it. why seniors even have to fundraise for their own showcase is beyond me. anyways, there are about 150-200 students total in the school and steadily decreases year after year to where your senior class will probably only have about 10-15 students total. they promise you job placement when youve graduated, but they cant. that's on you and how serious you are about your art. they shouldnt promise that and is a device to seal your decision about attending this school. my fathers number one concern when i applied was job placement and he still asks me about the day we went and were promised a job upon graduation. There are some positives to the school. there are a handful of teachers who are really great and care about the students. they do have some great working artists who teach, and it is in a convenient area of the city. Maybe this school will change now that it is being taken over by the web design teacher, bruce wartman, but considering his class was a complete joke, i doubt it. use caution, look at all your options and work harder on your portfolio, take extra classes to learn or go to community college and then apply to the art school you really want to. or dont go at all, my degree from this school is absolutely useless. pretty much everything i learned, I taught myself and my portfolio that i developed in my own time is what has been getting me exposure and work. social networking online at places like flickr, facebook, myspace, etc will absolutely help you more than this school will.

4th Year Female -- Class 2009

Campus Maintenance: A, Education Quality: F