Student Resources

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT – ACADEMIC RECORDS & REGISTRAR

The Education Department supervises and coordinates academic programs and all aspects related to the training at AMDA. This webpage offers information and resources for current students, prospective students, faculty and staff, and alumni, including important dates and deadlines, fee information and more. The Registrar’s Office maintains all academic records and processes grade reports, transcripts and enrollment verifications. For any questions, please contact the Education Department for guidance: LA (323) 603-5900 / NY (212) 787-5300

AMDA STUDENT PORTAL

FORMS + DOCUMENTS

Click on the links below to download (PDF format):

BFA Summer 2012 REGISTRATION

Prior to registering for your Summer 2012 courses, please make sure you have read all of the information contained in the Summer 2012 Registration Information Packet. Review the packet, click on your NEXT semester to download the applicable Summer 2012 Registration Form. Deadline: Friday, May 18th

Click on the links below to download (PDF format):

Information & Services

Fees

• Transcript Fee: $5.00 per official transcript, $2.00 per additional transcript ordered at the same time, $2.00 per unofficial transcript, an additional $15.00 for rush transcript processing
• Parking Fee: $550.00 per semester, fees are subject to change (LA Campus Only)
• Parking Tag Replacement Fee: $10.00 (LA Campus Only)
• ID Card Replacement Fee: $10.00
• Diploma/Certificate Replacement Fee: $25.00

Grading / Report Cards

Students are primarily graded at midterms and finals/demonstrations. Other grading criteria may be incorporated into the course based on the instructor and individual syllabus. Final grades are issued to students within two weeks after the end of the semester. Grades are generally mailed to the permanent mailing address on file.LA campus students are able to view their midterm and final grades online via the “Self-Service Online account”, their online student account.

Scholarships & Eligibility

At the end of each semester/year, students who have been awarded scholarships are reviewed for eligibility.

Registration / Course Information (BFA Degree Programs only)

Each semester, a Registration Packet is designed and distributed to students during the current semester for the next semester’s registration. Students are responsible for reviewing the registration packet and submitting the Registration form by the stated deadline date. The Education Department will attempt to provide students with their first “choice” class. In the event the selection is full or not held, students' second choice will be registered. Students in need of credit counseling or schedule modification must meet with the Education Department.

Schedules

NY students are to pick up their semester’s class schedule prior to the semester start. Schedules will be available for pickup no later than the weekend prior to the first day of class. LA campus students are able to view/print their semester’s class schedule online via the “Self-Service Online account”, their online student account.

AMDA Student Email Account

All students are provided with an "AMDA Email Address" to utilize for school correspondence while they are enrolled at AMDA. The student's AMDA email is the primary method of communication. We ask all students to use their AMDA email account as their sole email during their entire enrollment. Administration will frequently email students with notices, events, schedule and/or room changes, we ask all students to regularly check their AMDA email.

AMDA Emergency Notification System

During emergency situations/events, AMDA utilizes "Everbridge" as the emergency communication vehicle. Students will receive a communication to their AMDA email address, a text to their cell phone number and an email to the student's personal email address. When a communication is received, we ask the students reply with confirmation to verify the message was received.

Student Boards

AMDA’s Student Boards, located in the main campus building, are an additional method of communication between administration and students. Posts such as events, performances, class rescheduling and student information are examples of notifications often posted for students. Students are expected to check student boards daily to view posts and other important communication.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (also sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment), is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the records and the access provided to these records. Any educational institution that receives funds under any program administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education is bound by FERPA requirements. Institutions that fail to comply with FERPA may have funds administered by the Secretary of Education withheld.

Diplomas / Certificates

AMDA provides diplomas for students who have graduated from AMDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs and certificates for students who have graduated from AMDA’s two-year conservatory programs. Program completion and curriculum verification is conducted on all anticipated graduate files.

Campus Transfer Procedure

During the second semester of enrollment, students are informed of transferring campuses and are provided the Transfer Request Form.

Transferring from LA to NY
Los Angeles Conservatory students may transfer for the entire second year; BFA students transfer for the third semester only.

Transferring from NY to LA
New York Conservatory students may transfer for the entire second year.

Students interested in transferring campuses will be required to submit a completed form to the Education Deptartment by the designated deadline. Students who retract their request within 30 days of the semester’s start will incur a processing fee of $200. Students are placed in a pending status while an evaluation and review of the student’s academic standing is conducted. Students are informed of their status and are then informed of the final approval/denial AFTER their second semester grades have been posted by the Education Department. All transfer-request students are emailed general information to assist them in their transfer planning. Students who have a conduct violation, or are in academic jeopardy are ineligible to request transfer. Students are encouraged to contact the Education Department with any questions.

Transfer / Prior Credit Evaluation for BFA Programs

Bachelor of Arts degree students' prior college coursework will be evaluated for possible transfer credit. Students will be required to submit official college transcripts from all schools previously attended. Please have all official transcripts mailed directly to AMDA. Students with College Board (AP) completed coursework who have earned a score of three (3) or above will have their AP coursework evaluated for potential transfer.

International Baccalaureate transfer courses may be submitted for evaluation of transfer course status provided an official transcript record document is submitted to AMDA. Courses that fall under the General Education course category will be evaluated for transfer credit based on Hight Level (HL) course designation and a score of five (5) and above may be accepted toward AMDA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Courses listed under the category of Standard Level (SL) will not be considered for evaluation.

No credit is given for courses taken prior to AMDA for Certificate programs.

BFA – Frequently Asked Credit Questions

How many credits do I need to graduate?

Students need a total of 120 credits to graduate: 90 credits must be in the Performance Immersion category, 30 credits must be in the Critical Studies category. These 30 credits are divided into the following requirements: 9 English credits, 9 Creative Exploration credits, 9 Theatre Roots credits, and 3 Sci/Tech credits.

How many credits should I take each semester?

12-15 credits each semester constitutes “full-time” status (and full-time tuition fees). However, successfully acquiring a minimum of 15 credits each semester is necessary to complete the degree program in the traditional eight semesters. Each semester, AMDA designs a “section schedule” that will provide students with all the necessary and intended courses for their particular program. Credit loads: 12-15 full-time status, 9-11 three-quarter-time status, 6-8 half-time status, less than 6 is considered less than half-time status.

Can I take more than 15 credits in a semester? Can I take fewer?

Yes. Taking more than 15 credits will usually mean additional “per-credit” tuition fees. Students may take less than a 15-credit semester; however, curriculum completion may be delayed. Students must see the Bursar to confirm any necessary adjusted tuition fees.

NOTE: Certain semesters, AMDA may provide for a particular course load that is above 15 credits. At those times, there is no additional charge to a student taking the advised credit load.

Students may take as fewer as 12 credits in a semester while maintaining “full-time” status. If a student takes less than 12 credits and is identified as “part time,” any state, local, institutional or other financial assistance being received may be affected. Also, a smaller credit load may affect the students anticipated graduation date. All students are responsible for knowing their credit load each semester and ascertaining whether it will provide for program completion within their anticipated time frame.

What is the Add / Drop policy?

Students may submit the Add/Drop Form to drop or add a course within the first 5 school days of the semester. Student must complete and submit the form whenever adding/dropping a class. A completed form must be on record in the Education Office before the student’s official semester registration can be adjusted. All original course fees and requirements will be applied to the student until an Add/Drop form has been fully processed. This form will also allow the student to indicate their understanding of how the Add/Drop action affects their semester credit load. NOTE: Dance & Musicianship LEVELS may not be changed through an Add/Drop. Only INSTRUCTORS may initiate these level changes through departmental procedure. NOTE: “Core” and required courses may not be dropped at will. Counseling and approval from a member of the Education Department is required.

What about Transfer Credits and graduating “early”?

Students with credits from other institutions may submit official transcripts for credit review and application to their AMDA program. Only credits pertaining to AMDA’s Critical Studies categories can be applied. Credits may not be applied to AMDA’s Performance Immersion courses. Up to 30 credits total from other institutions may be applied. (NOTE: Students who have graduated from the AMDA Conservatory Program and then been admitted into the BFA Program will be awarded 60 Performance Immersion credits for their conservatory courses.)

Transfer Credits as they relate to Performance Immersion Requirements

Students with applied Transfer Credits will most likely need/want to substitute Performance Immersion credits for the Critical Studies course(s) they’ve already fulfilled.

Option 1: Students may choose to take AMDA’s outlined Critical Studies courses for Performance Immersion credit; however, the assigned credit amount is different when applied as Performance Immersion. Students will be responsible for notifying the Education Department of their intent/need to take a Critical Studies course for Performance Immersion credit and assuring their semester credit load is accurately reflected.

Option 2: AMDA will do its best to offer the student as many alternative Performance Immersion course/credit opportunities as possible. Please know that availability of courses (and the ability for a desired course to fit into a required schedule) cannot be guaranteed. Additional course offerings may include evening and/or weekend commitments. Please see the Education Department for advisement.

Accelerated Enrollment

Students who have earned credits beyond their semester year/level (15 or more credits through transfer or taking additional credit loads) may be eligible to expedite their program, allowing for completion in fewer than the “standard” number of semesters. AMDA refers to this as “Accelerated Enrollment.” Upon review of a student’s total accumulated credits, overall GPA and skill level, standing in the AMDA community, financial status as it pertains to AMDA’s Bursar Office, and other criteria deemed appropriate by AMDA, a student may be approved to “Accelerate,” thereby skipping their 6th and/or 7th semester classification.

Application Procedure: Within students' 5th semester, they may apply for a credit evaluation review to determine their eligibility for accelerated enrollment. Credit counseling and advisement from an Education Department staff member is required. Once approved, the students’ following semester will reflect the approved “new” classification by registering the student in the appropriate 7th or 8th semester classes.

How do I start planning my credits for next semester?

Prior to conclusion of the current semester, students will be given an opportunity to pre-select a “choice” for certain courses (e.g., ballet, tap, jazz, Theatre Roots). Course selections are not guaranteed and course offerings may change without prior notice.