Academic Info & Policies

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, grading, transfer of coursework, finances, and job placement. All Education Department handouts are posted on the FIDM Portal under eOrientation.

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
* Requesting financial aid (if applicable), completing and turning in all information or other documentation requested by the student's Financial Aid Officer

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.

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 two weeks of classes. A late fee will be charged to students submitting Late Registration Forms after the deadline.

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. Students with college experience are also invited but are not required to attend.

In order to hold an enrolled place in class students must be present at the start of the first class session.

Students are encouraged to schedule appointments with an Education staff member to discuss their programs of study and educational goals.

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 their graduation date. Any program that extends beyond one quarter from the completion time of this contract may be subject to a tuition increase and may result in additional book and supply charges.

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 varies according to the specific program in which the student is enrolled. Students are cautioned that enrolling in fewer than 12 units may adversely affect financial aid awards. Students considering taking more than 18 units must get approval from the Education Department and Financial Services.

Any student who fails a required class must repeat that course in order to graduate. The student must register for the same class previously failed. When a fail is recorded, book and supply charges are incurred. In most cases, course books and supplies may be used when repeating the class. During Book/Supply distribution in Week 1 of the quarter, students should tell College Services staff that they do not require books or supplies and should sign the book/supply roster and have their name highlighted, which indicates the book/supply charges will be reversed. However, if the Department Chairperson has changed any of the course books or supplies in a subsequent quarter, the student will be responsible for purchasing the new items. If course books and supplies have remained the same as when the class is repeated, the student may return the unused books in unopened condition for a refund to have book and supply charges reversed. Once a student has repeated a course in which he/she have received a grade of "D" or "F", the original grade is no longer counted in the student's cumulative grade point average calculation , but will remain as part of the permanent record and quarterly grade point average for the quarter in which the class was taken. All repeats must be completed at FIDM.

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

Three (3)-hour, zero (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 charges are applied when the student exceeds the number of contracted units. Students who change their 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.

Students have the first two weeks to add a class and the first six weeks to drop a class for courses that meet for the entire quarter. Classes may not be dropped after the sixth week of the quarter.

To officially add a class during the first two weeks of a quarter, students must:
  * Complete a Class Change Form (available from the Education Department)
  * Secure the instructor's signature for the added class
  * Return the Class Change Form to the Registrar's Office

To officially drop a class during the first two weeks of a quarter, students must:
  * Complete a Class Change Form (available from the Education Department) and return the
    form to the Registrar's Office
  * Bring unused books and supplies to the College Services Department to avoid incurring
    additional charges

To officially drop a class from weeks three through six of a quarter, students must:
  * Complete a Course Withdrawal Form: Weeks 3-6 (available from the Education
    Department) and return the form to the Registrar's Office
    -OR-
    Drop the class on the web through the FIDM Portal during designated hours
    (M – F, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.) and print the drop confirmation for their records
  • Bring unused books and supplies to the College Services Department no later than the last
    day of Week 6

For Saturday classes that meet five weeks for six hours, the deadline to add is the first class meeting, and the deadline to drop is the third class meeting.

If a student does not officially drop a class by the last day of week six, his/her final grade will be based on the points earned on all assignments accepted by the instructor throughout the quarter, and in many cases, that final grade may result in an “F”. A repeat fee, as well as book and supply charges, may be incurred.

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 be able 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 or the Director of Education, and the instructor.

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 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 their Career Advisor. Students from all majors, including international students, may apply to participate. In order to qualify, students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average, proof of medical insurance, and two or fewer 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.

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 Veterans 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 (if applicable) 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 in a maximum of 15 units.

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 and currently has lower division general education courses approved by the CSU (verifiable at www.calstate.edu/app/general-ed-transfer.shtml). FIDM offers a transfer option to:

* AIU London, (London campus only)
* California College of the Arts
* Golden Gate University
* Laboratory Institute of Merchandising
* Marist College
* Mount Ida College
* OTIS College of Art & Design
* Savannah College of Art & Design
* The San Francisco School of the Arts
* University of La Verne
* University of Phoenix
* Vanguard University
* Woodbury University

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

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.

Students receiving a grade of Incomplete ("I") must complete the coursework during the following quarter or by a specified date determined by the Education Department. 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."

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.

Students are 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 are 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 results in the student being placed on Academic Contract. While on Academic Contract, failure to receive a 2.0 grade point average results 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 is determined by the College Review Board. Disqualification from the college results when a student obtains a quarterly and cumulative grade point average below 2.0 in any quarter subsequent to reinstatement.

A student wishing to be reinstated to the college, who has not attended class for eight consecutive academic quarters or more, and is in good academic standing, 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 and, the student may incur additional costs and fees to complete the program. Disqualified students are not eligible to be reinstated.