| For Immediate Release: 07.26.2017 | Contact: Courtney Spradlin 318.716.4115 [email protected] |
Digital Media Institute at InterTech now nationally accredited and participating in federal student aid programs
The Digital Media Institute at InterTech (DMII), a one-year, accelerated digital media education program located in Shreveport, has been accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education(COE).* This accreditation puts DMII on the national stage as a high-quality school that exceeds quality standards and has accountability for operations and student outcomes.
DMII has been further authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal financial aid programs such as the Pell grant program and federally backed student loans.
DMII Executive Director John Miralles said the school, which has been open three and a half years, expects to see growth of the programs following accreditation.
DMII offers two intensive model certificate programs, Interactive Software Development, and the other, Animation, Visual Effects, and Interactive Content, that are open to students who wish to pursue education and employment in the digital media sector.
“DMII is the only North Louisiana institute of its kind or digital media education program, including local two- and four-year universities, that is nationally accredited specifically to deliver training that can lead to employment in these exponentially growing technology driven industries. Accreditation by the COE means DMII exceeds tracked program completion and student placement requirements,” Miralles said.
DMII’s overall completion rate is 75 percent, and its placement rate is 80 percent. Miralles said this means DMII students are more likely to complete their programs and find placement in their desired occupational fields.
“Most people are surprised to learn that digital media has such broad applications, from entertainment to architecture to cyber security and advertising/marketing. DMII graduates are taking advantage of diverse project hire, and paid internship opportunities at companies across the Ark-La-Tex and beyond,” Miralles said.
DMII graduates have found internships and job placement in a variety of industry sectors locally, including Moonbot Studios, Swaybox Studios, Somdal Associates, Shreveport Aquarium and Ingels Info Security.
“To become accredited is momentous step and a great milestone for the Digital Media Institute at InterTech. A fully accredited institution, DMII is offering the best in digital media education, and they’re offering it here in Shreveport and Caddo Parish. This initiative is an important piece in the puzzle for building our region’s future. We must have a knowledgeable regional workforce to move forward and diversify our economy,” said John F. George Jr., M.D., CEO and President of BRF.
DMII announced in late 2016 that it is accepting the GI Bill, which is extended to veterans and eligible family members. The GI Bill can cover a portion or in some cases, the majority, of tuition to the school.
DMII also will be eligible as an accredited institution to accept the TOPS Tech award for qualified students.
The institute’s Animation, Visual Effects and Interactive Content program begins Aug. 28, and the Interactive Software Development program begins Jan. 22.
To learn more about DMII and applying for its programs, dmi.edu, or call 318.213.0788.
* Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, Telephone: 770-396-3898 / FAX: 770-396-3790, council.org.