Student Resources
Academic Policies
Homework
All classes have homework. Generally, it is expected that each three-unit, three-hour class
will require at least six or more hours of homework per week. Three-unit, six-hour classes will
require at least three hours of homework per week.
Laboratory Requirements for Studio Courses
Students enrolled in studio courses (courses that require use of Academy facilities for
completion of homework) are required to participate in nine hours of studio work for three units of
credit. Most studio courses consist of a combination of formal class periods and laboratory and/or
studio time completed by students on their own schedule.
Copyright Infringement
For information regarding this, please view Academy of Art University's
copyright infringement
policy.
Drawing Labs
Students enrolled in life drawing and painting courses may complete their laboratory
requirements by attending drawing/painting workshops sponsored and scheduled by the Fine Art and
Illustration Departments, or the Academy Study Hall will hold daily three-hour drawing/painting
workshops with both live models and still life. As student utilization of this resource increases,
additional three-hour sessions will be added to the lab schedule.
Computer Arts/Animation and Visual Effects Laboratory Scheduling
For each Computer Arts/Animation and Visual Effects class in which a student is enrolled, he
or she will sign up for two three-hour blocks of weekly lab time that will be reserved for him or
her the entire semester. Graduate students sign up for three three-hour blocks of reserved lab time
weekly for the entire semester.
Sculpture/Photography/Industrial Design/ Motion Pictures & Television Labs
Students enrolled in studio Sculpture, Photography, Industrial Design, or Motion Pictures
& Video studio courses will be given information regarding completion of studio/lab
requirements in class.
Equipment Requirements for Photography Students
All photography students are required to have their own 35mm or medium format camera, tripod
and hand-held light meter.
Campus Security Report
The Campus Security Act (Public Law 102-26) requires postsecondary institutions to disclose
the number of instances in which certain specific types of crimes have occurred in any building or
on any property owned or controlled by this institution which is used for activities related to the
educational purpose of the institution.
To receive the most recent campus security report, you can
click here to download the file as an
Adobe PDF; alternatively, you can pick up a copy at the Financial Aid Office located at 79 New
Montgomery Street on the 3rd floor or call 415.618.6190 or 800.544.ARTS. Leave your name, telephone
number, and complete mailing address and indicate that you are requesting a copy of the Academy of
Art University Annual Security Report.
International Student Placement Testing
All international students receive English language placement testing during orientation. The
tests include an oral interview with two ESL faculty members. The Academy of Art University does
not require a minimum TOEFL score for admission, but it requests that applicants submit a recent
score for placement purposes. TOEFL scores are used in the event that additional placement
information is needed.
Diagnostic tests are administered in all ESL classes during the first two weeks of class to
ensure that students have been placed correctly. Students who place into ESL classes must complete
through ESL 4 and may be required to attend ESL 6 and/or LA 095 Fundamentals of English based on
their exit test results.
International Student Support Programs
The Academy offers unique English as a Second Language (ESL) support that allows low English
proficiency students to enroll in art and design classes while they improve their English
proficiency. All ESL tutoring and support programs are provided to students at no additional cost.
Please refer to page 215 of this Catalog for a description of these services.
Students with Disabilities Requesting Accommodations
Students who are interested in disability-related services or accommodations must contact
Classroom Services, Academy Resource Center (ARC), 415.618.3917.
It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations and to provide Classroom Services with
complete documentation verifying the presence of a disability. Students without complete
documentation will not be eligible to receive accommodations. Students with disabilities may also
avail of academic services that are open to all Academy students. To learn more about the range of
services available, students should visit the ARC.
Appeal Process
A student may appeal the determination of disability-related services or accommodations to
the Grievance Committee, 79 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Changing Programs
Students wishing to transfer from one academic program to another must obtain academic
advising and must be in satisfactory academic standing (at least a 2.0 G.P.A.). A transfer between
the Graduate School and Undergraduate School requires the approval of both the Executive Vice
President of Education and the Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management.
Unit of Credit
The Academy of Art University uses semester credits. Semester credits are converted from
clock hours to credit hours as follows:
15 hours of lecture = 1 semester credit
30 hours of lab = 1 semester credit
45 hours of practicum = 1 semester credit
Curriculum Changes
Students with questions regarding the applicability of changes in curriculum requirements
should make an appointment with an academic advisor or their Department Director. Students seeking
to complete a BFA degree within four years must complete an average of 18 units during both the
Fall and Spring semester, or complete 15 units during both the Fall and Spring semesters and 3
units during each Summer semester.
Course Numbering
Course numbers are arranged to show level of difficulty. The skills acquired from one class
are the prerequisites for necessary skill level for subsequent classes.
Numbers 100-199 Beginning courses
Numbers 200-299 Intermediate courses
Numbers 300-499 Advanced courses
Numbers 500 Internship
Numbers 600+ Graduate courses
Add/Drop Procedures
Students may add classes through the first week of school. A student who wishes to add a
class must make an appointment with an academic advisor and complete an Add/Drop form. Students
will be charged additional tuition if applicable. Completed Add/Drop forms must be signed by the
student's academic advisor and Accounts Receivable. They must then file the Add/Drop form with the
registration office.
A $25 fee will be charged for each class dropped once the second week of each semester begins.
Calculation of tuition refunds are based on the refund policy set forth on the Enrollment Agreement
signed by the student at the time of registration.
Academic Freedom & Responsibility Policy
The Academy of Art University has recently adopted a new policy regarding Academic Freedom
and Academic Responsibility. Please view our
Academic Freedom & Responsibility
Policy to learn more.
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