Committee Draft
NEW PRIVATE COLLEGE PROPOSAL
Institution: The Creative Center
Program: Graphic Design
Degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Institution’s Existing Degree(s) in Same Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in
or Similar Discipline: Design, Illustration, and Computer Graphics;
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in
Advanced Graphic Design
Proposed Site/Location: 10850 Emmet Street, Omaha
Proposal Received by Commission: September 6, 2005
Site Visit: November 4, 2005
Public Hearing: November 1, 2005 (State Office Building,
Omaha, NE)
Proposed Start Date: August 2006
Purpose of the Proposed Program(s): To offer a comprehensive program in graphic
design; to prepare students to be competitive in
the workplace with knowledge of tools,
equipment, and computer graphics, and
through preparation of a professional portfolio.
Recommendation: Approve, if the institution agrees in writing to
comply with the following conditions:
1) Courses required exclusively for the BFA
shall be taught by faculty members holding a
master’s degree or higher in the subject being
taught (or in a closely allied field). Isolated
exceptions, if needed and advisable to benefit
students, would be on a case-by-case basis
and only in circumstances in which the faculty
member possesses relevant, highly specialized
abilities and extensive work experience in the
field being taught.
2) Credit hour requirements for the degree shall
be reduced to 90 hours for the associate’s
degree, as mandated by the Accrediting
Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of
Technology (ACCSCT), with an additional 52.5
hours for the bachelor’s degree.
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3) Copies of the audited financial statements
provided regularly to the Nebraska Department
of Education shall be supplied to the
Commission for three years, beginning with the
year ending December 31, 2005.
4) An initial annual report would be due
February 1, 2007. The report would include
demonstration of compliance with the faculty
qualifications issue stated above, enrollments
and student progress in the BFA program,
number and placement of program graduates,
and any program changes, including course
modifications resulting from the ACCSCT
requirement to reduce credit hours for the AOS.
Continuing authorization to operate would be
reviewed no later than May 1, 2008, following
receipt of the second annual report (due
February 1, 2008).
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Committee Draft
REVIEW CRITERIA
A. Demonstrated Need for the Institution
High---------------Low The Creative Center was opened in Omaha in 1993 by the owner of a
√ local design studio. As an employer, he noticed a need for a more
specialized education than his employees and job applicants possessed.
In order to better prepare students, he designed a curriculum to place more emphasis on
graphic design and advertising than other graphic arts programs in the area.
The Creative Center currently offers two programs: an associate of occupational studies (AOS)
in design, illustration, and computer graphics, and an AOS in advanced graphic design. The
design, illustration, and computer graphics program requires 117 semester credit hours. Upon
completion of the program, students can take an additional 60 semester credit hours to earn
another AOS in advanced graphic design. These programs are authorized by the Nebraska
Department of Education under the Private Postsecondary Career School Act.
About 70 students enroll in the design, illustration, and computer graphics AOS program each
year. Less than ten continue into the advanced graphic design program, with many choosing
instead to transfer to an institution that offers a bachelor’s degree. The Creative Center
conducted an informal poll of its AOS students; a majority of them reported that they would be
interested in attending for an additional year in order to earn a baccalaureate degree. The BFA
may also attract students from out of state, since baccalaureate programs specializing in
graphic design are not widespread. Current students come primarily from Nebraska and Iowa,
with somewhat fewer enrollments from South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado.
There are other graphic arts/design baccalaureate programs in the Omaha area, including a
BFA in computer graphic design at Bellevue University and a BA in graphic design at Creighton
University. Both programs require fewer courses and have a broader focus than the program
proposed by The Creative Center.
B. Role and Mission
High---------------Low The Creative Center’s stated objective is to provide a practical education
√ that benefits both the student and the future employer.
C. Quality of Courses or Programs of Instruction
High---------------Low The Creative Center proposes to convert the advanced graphic design
√ curriculum to the content courses necessary for a graphic design
baccalaureate major. Since the advanced graphic design program
consists of more challenging courses and has as a prerequisite the completion of the AOS in
design, illustration, and computer graphics, the curriculum would be consistent with upper level
courses required for a baccalaureate degree. With the AOS courses included, the BFA would
require a total of 177 semester credit hours: 129 hours in graphic design and related courses,
such as advertising, marketing, and interactive media, and 48 hours of general education
courses. The general education courses would include art history, oral and written
communications, consumer behavior, ecology, organizational communications, management
across cultures, and principles of finance. The last five courses would be provided online by
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National American University, an institution accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools.
The proposed total number of credit hours greatly exceeds that commonly required for a
baccalaureate degree. The proposed general education credit hours are appropriate for an
academic baccalaureate. The general education courses are stronger in the fine arts and
communication fields than in math and science, but cover the common range of general
education areas (English/communications, math, science, social science, and humanities).
In October 2005, The Creative Center was notified that their accrediting body (ACCSCT) was
limiting the number of credit hours an institution could require for an associate’s degree. At this
time, The Creative Center tentatively plans to reduce the requirements for the AOS to
90 semester credit hours. This would result in the reduction of the BFA hours to 142.5, including
45 hours of general education courses. The reduced credit hour requirement would result in a
bachelor’s degree with requirements that more closely resemble those commonly accepted as
standard for baccalaureate level programs.
D. Legal Form and Ownership
The Creative Center is a for-profit institution incorporated in the state of Nebraska in 1993.
E. Personnel Number and Qualifications
High---------------Low There are three full-time faculty, two part-time faculty, and ten adjunct
√ faculty at The Creative Center. Of these 15 faculty members, three have
master’s degrees and a fourth is working on a master’s; four have
bachelor’s degrees; three have associate’s degrees; one has a diploma; and three have
extensive experience in the field. Of the faculty holding master’s degrees, one has a BFA and
an MFA in illustration, is the lead instructor at The Creative Center, and is qualified to teach
many of the upper division courses. A second faculty member has an MBA in technology
management with a BA in computer graphics, teaches a 300-level advertising course, and is
qualified to teach 300-level courses in campaign management and design and layout. A third
faculty member holds an MA in applied linguistics as well as an MA in English and teaches
general education courses, and a fourth is working toward an MS in education with a BA in
graphic design, fine art, and education. This is minimal staff for offering a baccalaureate
program requiring as many hours as The Creative Center proposes.
Of the faculty currently teaching the five online courses for National American University, three
hold master’s degrees, one has an EdD, and one is working toward a PhD.
F. Financial Soundness & Ability to Fulfill Commitment to Students
High---------------Low Total tuition for the BFA would be $50,400. There would also be $5,000
√ in lab fees, $3,000 in book fees, and a $2,500 computer fee for a
computer and software the student would own.
The Creative Center provided a student catalog that detailed costs, refund policies, and financial
aid, including required satisfactory progress.
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Although financial statements show that The Creative Center has sufficient current assets to
cover current liabilities, cash-on-hand available to cover expenses in excess of revenue has
decreased over the past three years. Since a large infusion of cash is not necessary to
implement the proposed program and the program is likely to boost revenues, the Center should
be financially viable and able to support the new program.
G. Student Qualifications
High---------------Low Students must have a high school diploma or GED. There is a $100
√ application fee and a $200 enrollment fee. An applicant must include a
portfolio of his or her artwork.
Students must pass every course in the curriculum and earn a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative
GPA. In 2002-03, 69 students graduated from the AOS program; 43 (or 62%) were placed in an
occupation directly related to their training and 26 were placed in other positions.
H. Institutional Location
The Creative Center is located at 10850 Emmet Street in Omaha. In the northwest part of the
city, the site is within a few blocks of the intersection of two major streets, 108th Street and
Maple Street, as well as the interstate highway system.
I. Facilities
High---------------Low The Creative Center leases a one-story building with approximately
√ 30,000 square feet of space. There are two, large, studio-like classrooms
for the first and second year students, and a slightly smaller one for the
advanced graphic design program. There is also a large lecture hall, theater, mounting room,
student library and resource room, faculty library, student lounge, administrative offices, and
faculty offices. The space that would be dedicated to the BFA program, currently the advance
graphic design studio, can be expanded to house up to 40 students.
A virtual tour is available at www.thecreativecenter.com, under “Virtual Tours”.
J. Quality of Instructional Equipment, Library, and Support Services
High---------------Low As part of their tuition and fees, every student receives a laptop
√ computer. The entire facility is equipped with state-of-the-art Macintosh
computers and software including digital, still, and video cameras,
scanners, DVD-RW, CD-RW, and color phaser printers.
Hard-copy library holdings are not extensive. The student library has standard reference
materials and a wide range of art and design materials. The faculty library, available to students
by request, has modest holdings, heavily weighted with art and art history books. National
American University provides primary course materials and makes all additional materials
available online.
The Creative Center provides financial aid and placement services, including placement
services for alumni. While there are no dorms, the center has an agreement with a nearby
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Committee Draft
apartment complex to provide space for students, should they wish to avail themselves of that
opportunity.
K. Accreditation
Yes No The Creative Center is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career
√ Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), a body recognized by the
United States Department of Education. ACCSCT recently conducted an
accreditation site visit. The Creative Center reports that ACCSCT staff found no items that
would be noted as problems or concerns in the final accreditation report.
L. Additional Information
A public hearing was held on November 1, 2005 at the state office building in Omaha. Kim
Guyer, Executive Director, and Ray Dotzler, President of The Creative Center, represented the
institution. Commissioners Harris, Hodges, and Strand were present, as well as Commission
staff.
Mr. Dotzler was the narrator of a DVD shown at the beginning of the hearing to provide an
overview of The Creative Center. The DVD highlighted student work, alumni employment and
achievements, and members of the institution’s advisory board.
Ms. Guyer summarized The Creative Center’s proposal with the assistance of a power point
presentation and answered questions from Commissioners.
There was no neutral testimony or any testimony in opposition.
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