Academic Information & Policies
Orientation
All new students are strongly encouraged to attend on-campus orientation, during which they will be informed about college facilities and general policies, including scheduling of classes, attendance, grading, transfer of coursework, finances, and job placement.
Financial Clearance
Financial clearance is the initial step in the process leading to registration for classes each quarter. All students must complete financial clearance through a fiscal counselor in the Student Financial Services Office. Typically, this process may include:
- Making all scheduled tuition and fee payments per their schedule of payments, including any adjustments
- Fulfilling other non-tuition financial obligations such as library fines and other book charges
- and, if requesting financial aid, completing and turning in all information or other documentation requested by the student’s financial aid officer
New Student Registration
New students register for classes with assistance from Admissions/Education before the beginning of their first quarter or on Orientation Day. Education Department representatives will be available at both times to advise students, who must then submit their schedules to the Registrar for final approval.
Continuing Student Registration
Registration for each upcoming quarter will take place during the latter part of the previous quarter and is done online through the FIDM Portal. All students must be financially cleared by the Financial Services Office before registering. Any student who does not register for classes during this period will go through Late Registration during the first week of classes and will be subject to a late fee. An additional fee will be charged to students submitting Late Registration Forms after the deadline.
Success Seminar Program
Success Seminar is an Orientation program that provides information and activities that will help students be successful during their first quarter. First-time college students and conditionally admitted students are required to participate (ICC, ATB, and FTB students). Students with college experience are also invited but are not required to attend.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Instructors are required to take attendance and follow department policies concerning absences. Any student absent from the FIRST meeting of a class when roll is taken will have forfeited his/her space if adding other students closes the class.
Student Curriculum Advisement
Students are encouraged to schedule appointments with an Education staff member to discuss their programs of study and educational goals.
Program Course Sequence/Advisement Sheets
Each student is provided with an advisement sheet, which outlines the course of instruction in proper sequence. Students who follow the sequence precisely will meet all class requirements and will complete the degree in the time contracted. Students who wish to make changes in the sequence of course requirements must have the approval of the Education Department, and may have to purchase separate books or supplies. If students take courses out of sequence without approval, this may cause a delay in graduation date. Any program that extends beyond one quarter from the completion time of this contract may be subject to a tuition increase.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are preliminary courses covering information that is required prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course will have obtained specific prior information that is required to successfully complete a more advanced course.
Student Academic Load
Student academic load varies according to the specific program in which the student is enrolled. Students must follow the Advisement Sheet for their specific program. Students are cautioned that enrolling in fewer classes than 12 units may adversely affect financial aid rewards. Students considering taking more than 18 units must get approval from the Education Department.
Repeat Courses and Fees
Any student who fails a class must repeat that course in order to graduate. The student must register for the same class previously failed and go to the College Services to have book and supply charges removed from their account. Once a fail is repeated, the original “F” will not be counted in the grade point average calculation, but will remain as part of the permanent record.
Students will be subject to a repeat fee of $200.00 for each unit failed, plus applicable books and supplies charges. Book and supply charges are applied at the time a class is failed.
- 6 units - repeat fee $1,200
- 4 units - repeat fee $800
- 3 units - repeat fee $600
- 1 unit - repeat fee $200
3 hour, 0 unit courses such as, GNST 0400 Writing Skills or GNST 0450 Math Skills, are subject to a repeat fee of $600.00.
Students may not repeat a failed General Studies course at another college.
Additional Courses
Additional charges are applied when the student exceeds the number of contracted units. Students who change major and complete courses that do not apply to the new major are required to complete an additional contract for the extra units. Any student who retakes a course with a passing grade (D or better), will be responsible for the full course cost and required to complete an additional contract for the units.
Adding and Dropping a Class
A Class Change Form is used to add and drop classes during the first two weeks. Students have two weeks to add and six weeks to drop. Discontinuing attendance after the sixth week of class will result in a grade of “F”.
Independent Study
To qualify for an Independent Study a student must have a strong background in the subject matter, a 3.0 grade point average at FIDM and have the capacity to write and research well. Qualified students are allowed one Independent Study during their program, provided that an instructor of the subject is available to oversee and grade the Independent Study and provided that the student is deemed eligible. An Independent Study is available during the second year and must be approved by the Department Chairperson, the Director of Education, and the instructor.
Credit for Academically Relevant Experience (CARE)
Students may challenge courses by participating in the Credit for Academically Relevant Experience (CARE) program. Information and application forms are available to students from the Education Department at each campus. Substantial documentation of skills, employment, or subject matter expertise is essential. Approval from the Dean of Academic Development or the Vice President of Education is required before credit (15 units maximum) can be awarded. There is a $250.00 fee for each 3-unit course challenged through the CARE program.
Internships
Internships blend theory and practice. Students combine academic training with employment in fields related to their course of study. In addition, students apply classroom theory to “real life” situations and explore various career options while in their program.
Students who are interested must see a Career Advisor. Students from all majors, including international students, may apply to participate. In order to qualify, the student must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average, proof of medical insurance, and two or less quarters remaining to complete their program. Internships must be secured and paperwork completed prior to the end of the quarter preceding the internship's start date.
Approved interns must complete specific coursework to receive academic credit. In addition, international students must follow current federal guidelines. At the completion of the Internship, the college will send participating employers a student evaluation to complete.
Transfer of Coursework
Coursework taken at another accredited college will be considered towards an Associate degree only if there is an equivalent course at FIDM that is required for a specific major and the grade on a course already completed elsewhere is a “C” or better. Students must request a transfer credit evaluation from the Education Department before or during the first quarter of attendance at FIDM. Applicants for Veteran's benefits must be evaluated prior to attending the first class. All documentation of transferred work must be submitted and evaluated prior to the start of the student's second quarter so the student can be placed in the correct classes. Transcripts must be official (stamped and signed by the Registrar of the college previously attended). They become a part of the student's academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution. Students currently registered in a class for which the prerequisite course was waived or equivalent units were transferred from another institution must go to their Academic Department Advisor for approval to receive necessary books distributed in the prerequisite course through College Services. Corresponding equipment and/or supplies may be purchased. FIDM has a 45-unit residency requirement for two-year degrees. Students seeking a professional designation degree may transfer a maximum of 15 units.
Transfer to Other Colleges
FIDM courses numbered 1000 or above are certified to be baccalaureate level. Students who wish to explore their transfer options should consult FIDM's Articulation Officer on the Los Angeles campus for assistance. Students graduating from FIDM must complete the graduation requirements for their specific degree. FIDM requirements, however, do not necessarily meet all lower division or general education requirements for other colleges. FIDM currently maintains articulation agreements with selected colleges with the intent of enhancing a student's transfer opportunities. FIDM offers a transfer option to:
- Arizona State University, Williams Campus
- AIU London, (London campus only)
- California College of the Arts
- California State University system
- California State University, Dominguez Hills, School of Management
- California State University, Long Beach
- California State University, San Marcos
- Golden Gate University
- Laboratory Institute of Merchandising
- Marist College
- Mount Ida College
- OTIS College of Art & Design
- Savannah School of Art & Design
- The San Francisco School of the Arts
- University of La Verne
- University of Phoenix
- Vanguard University
- Woodbury University
Grades
Final grades are issued at the end of each quarter and are accessible through the FIDM Portal. Quality of performance is reported as follows:
| GPA | Letter Grade | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A | Excellent |
| 3.7 | A- | |
| 3.3 | B+ | |
| 3.0 | B | Good |
| 2.7 | B- | |
| 2.3 | C+ | |
| 2.0 | C | Average |
| 1.7 | C- | |
| 1.3 | D+ | |
| 1.0 | D | Passing |
| 0.7 | D- | |
| 0.0 | F | Fail |
| 0.0 | I | Incomplete |
| 0.0 | P | Pass |
| 0.0 | W | Withdrawal |
Honor Roll/President’s Honor Roll
Students in any quarter with a minimum of 12 units and Extended Day students in any quarter with a minimum of 6 units who obtain a grade point average of 3.5 will be placed on the Honor Roll. If students in both of these indicated categories obtain a grade point average of 3.95 in any quarter, they will be placed on the President's Honor Roll.
Incomplete Grades
Students receiving a grade of Incomplete (“I”) must complete the coursework during the following quarter or by a specified date determined by the instructor. An Incomplete will be given only in cases in which a student has a “C” or higher grade point average in the course and has extreme personal difficulties that prevent the student from completing a final project or taking the final examination. If by the end of the following quarter the coursework has not been completed, the “I” will automatically be changed to an “F.”
Academic Freedom
Faculty members are free to teach and discuss the facts and ideas within their curriculum which they believe to be in accord with available evidence, and to examine unpopular or controversial ideas in classroom teaching when appropriate to course content.
Academic Disciplinary Procedures
Students will be placed on Academic Warning if their quarterly grade point average falls below 2.0 but their cumulative grade point average remains 2.0 or higher. Students will be placed on Academic Probation if their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0. While on Academic Probation, failure to receive a 2.0 grade point average will result in the student being placed on Academic Contract. While on Academic Contract, failure to receive a 2.0 grade point average will result in dismissal from the college. If dismissed, a student may apply for reinstatement. To be reinstated, students must submit a letter to the Education Department explaining their academic record and requesting readmission. A final decision will be reached by the College Review Board. Disqualification from the college will result when a student obtains a quarterly and cumulative grade point average below 2.0 in any quarter subsequent to reinstatement.
Reinstatement Policy
A student wishing to be reinstated to the college, who has not attended class for eight consecutive academic quarters or more, must complete a new application in the Student Advisement Department to re-enter the college. Graduation requirements will be determined from the catalog in effect on the date of acceptance for re-entry. Disqualified students are not eligible to be reinstated.
