Academic Policies & Procedures

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

The Los Angeles Film School values the rights of expression pertaining to the teaching and research of its faculty. The school guarantees academic freedom in the classroom within the parameters of its mission and academic policies and procedures as approved by its applicable licensing and accrediting agencies. The faculty will be afforded freedom in the classroom to express professional points of view and conclusions supported by relevant evidence.

ACCESS TO ONLINE COURSE MATERIALS

The Institution shall give the student access to the online learning platform and the first lesson and any materials to any student within seven days after the institution accepts the student for admission.

The institution shall transmit all of the lessons and other materials to the student if the student:

  1. has fully paid for the educational program, and
  2. after having received the first lesson and initial materials, requests in writing that all of the material be sent.
  3. If an institution transmits the balance of the material as the student requests, the institution shall remain obligated to provide the other educational services it agreed to provide, such as responses to student inquiries, student and faculty interaction, and evaluation and comment on lessons submitted by the student, but shall not be obligated to pay any refund after all of the lessons and material are transmitted.

ADVANCEMENT

An academic year consists of 32 weeks of instruction. In order to advance to the next grade level (freshman to sophomore, etc.), students must earn a minimum of 24 semester credits during that academic year.

ANTI-HAZING POLICY

Hazing is any action taken or situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule and that risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. The school does not allow hazing for any reason whatsoever. Students engaging in any potentially harmful activities will be disciplined and may be subject to suspension or termination pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND COURSES

Regular class attendance and lab participation are two of the most significant factors for academic success. Students are expected to attend classes and lab sessions unless prevented by illness or emergency. Most courses have a minimum number or percentage of class hours that students must attend in order to earn a passing grade. This information is provided to the students in the syllabus received on the first day of those classes.

Students who do not attend any scheduled classes for fourteen (14) consecutive calendar days will be administratively withdrawn from the school.

ONLINE PROGRAMS & COURSES

Students must actively participate within their online community to receive an authentic learning experience. Student attendance in online courses is defined as active participation in an instructional activity related to the student’s course of study. Online courses have weekly activities for student participation. For attendance purposes, simply logging into an online class does not count toward attendance.

Students who fail to participate in an academically related activity for fourteen (14) consecutive calendar days will be withdrawn from their course(s). If students are withdrawn from all courses in the same term, they will be administratively withdrawn from the school.

CAMPUS SECURITY

It is essential that all security incidents occurring on campus or in its vicinity be reported to uniformed security personnel. Security incidents include criminal activity of all types; incidents that result in injury to a student, faculty, or staff members; incidents that result in damage to school equipment or facilities other than equipment or facilities used as part of the instruction; all losses of personal property; suspicious individuals on campus; persons on campus apparently under the influence of an intoxicating substance; and any dangerous situations or activities likely to result in personal injury or property damage.

All students are required to wear their student ID on a school-issued lanyard at all times when on campus. This is critical to maintaining a safe, secure, and comfortable learning environment. Students without ID will not be admitted to classes or labs and must obtain a temporary ID from the Security/Reception Desk. It is advised that students keep their personal belongings with them at all times.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)) requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. This report is prepared in cooperation with the Police agencies surrounding our campus facilities.

This report is available for all reporting school on the web at ope.ed.gov/campussafety.  Los Angeles Film School’s current Campus Safety & Security Handbook may be reviewed at www.lafilm.edu/campus-safety. Hard copies of this report may be obtained from the Student Records Department.

CHILDREN ON CAMPUS

The primary mission of The Los Angeles Film School is to educate students. To that end, LAFS has the responsibility to provide a place of instruction that is free from distractions and conducive to learning. LAFS and its facilities (classrooms, offices, public and common areas) cannot be viewed at any time as a substitute for childcare arrangements.

Children are not allowed in school facilities except for brief visits when the child is accompanied by an adult. The term “Child/ Children” refers to an individual(s) who has not yet reached eighteen (18) years of age. Students may not allow children to be left unattended anywhere on campus even for a short period of time. Children are not allowed in classrooms, labs, studios, or production stages. Students are not allowed to bring children with them to class or to class activities regardless of where the class is held.

Although childcare is not available on campus, the city of Los Angeles provides resources to assist in finding verified care at www.laparks.org/childcare for preschool age children. The Childcare Alliance Los Angeles (www.ccala.net) also provides information and resources for those in need of childcare services.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Campus-based classes are taught seven (7) days a week between the hours of 7:00am until midnight PT. Students should expect to be in classes at least 20–25 hours a week on a schedule that changes every four (4) weeks. Students will be notified of the class schedule (meeting time and location) via their student email account and posted in their student portal at least seven (7) days prior to the start of each term.

Students enrolled in online courses may access their courses, course materials and assignments at any hour and day they choose, provided they meet all assignment deadlines. LAFS reserves the right to adjust the order of courses and program content, staff, or materials on a course-by-course basis as needed.

CLASS SIZE

For courses on campus, the average student-to-instructor ratio in lab settings will vary from 8 to 24 students per instructor depending on the type of equipment and nature of the exercises. The average student-to-instructor ratio in lectures will vary from 24 to 45 students per instructor. For online courses, the average student-to-instructor ratio in an online section is 25 students per instructor.

CLOCK HOUR TO CREDIT HOUR CONVERSION

The Los Angeles Film School utilizes the following definition of a credit hour to determine how credits are awarded in its courses and programs and to ensure that the assignment of credit hours conforms to commonly accepted practices in higher education. One “clock hour” is defined as a period of no less than 50 minutes during which a student participates in a learning activity. The conversion of clock hours to credit hours is calculated on a semester credit hour basis. One semester credit hour is equal to 45 units of academic activities, which can include a combination of didactic, supervised laboratory, and out-of-class independent or group work. The combination of each type of learning varies according to the nature of the course.

  • One clock hour of didactic learning is valued at 2.0 units.
  • One clock hour of supervised laboratory learning is valued at 1.5 units.
  • One clock hour of out-of-class independent or group work is valued at 0.5 units.

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT PROHIBITED

The unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing may subject students to civil and criminal liabilities. Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. Students who engage in illegal downloading or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the school’s information technology system are subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct up to and including dismissal from their program.

COURSE DELIVERY MODE

The school offers hybrid course delivery for its campus-based education programs and fully online delivery for its distance education programs. Online and hybrid courses are delivered over the school’s proprietary Learning Management System (LMS), which is a secure web-based platform that employs modern multimedia technologies and is accessible 24 hours a day via the Internet. Students use this system to view video content, receive and submit project work and assignments, take tests and quizzes, communicate with instructors and classmates, and review grades and course progress. Online students can expect to have their work evaluated and returned within three (3) business days.

COURSE MATERIALS

The school uses a wide variety of materials to support classroom and hands-on learning experiences. A combination of traditional textbooks, custom course manuals created by the faculty, professional training materials, and online learning resources provide access to a wide range of information

Additional resources are available in the Library.

COURSE RETAKE POLICY

Students may retake a course one time without paying additional tuition or retake fees. Although students will not be charged additional tuition for the first retake of a course, the retake will be counted as days attended for purposes of calculating the percentage of tuition owed if students withdraw prior to graduation. Students who fail the first retake of a course will be charged the full tuition rate for each attempt thereafter.

CREDITS ATTEMPTED & COMPLETED

Credits attempted are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade, or an “F,” “I,” “WP,” “WF,” or “P.” Credits completed are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade of “P,” or a passing grade of “D” or better.

DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES ACT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Students who violate the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Standards of Conduct subject themselves to disciplinary action, which may include probation or termination. Students are subject to periodic testing in the event there is a reasonable suspicion of alcohol or drug use.

Reasonable suspicion may emanate from a variety of circumstances including, but not limited to:

  • Direct observation of alcohol or drug use
  • Physical or behavioral symptoms
  • Abnormal or erratic behavior
  • Marked changes in behavior
  • Evidence of drug or alcohol possession on the premises

A refusal to be tested, or tampering with a test, will be interpreted the same as a positive result. A positive test result will result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will take place within 30 days of notification, and may include a letter of admonishment, required enrollment in a rehabilitation program, termination from school or employment, and/or referral for prosecution.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The Los Angeles Film School’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan outlines policies and procedures for managing major emergencies that may threaten the health and safety of the campus community or significantly disrupt its programs and activities. The plan provides a structure for coordinating preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of LAFS personnel and resources.

The Los Angeles Film School’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan is located at www.lafilm.edu/campus-safety

EVALUATIONS

During courses, students are evaluated on their performance through a series of quizzes, exams, and project evaluations. They are evaluated on theory and technical and practical applications, as well as standards of professionalism.

FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS

Instructors teaching core courses must have a minimum of four years of related practical work experience in the subject area(s) taught and possess a related degree at least at the same level of the course the faculty member is teaching. Instructors teaching general education courses must have a master’s degree and at least 15 credit hours related to the subject area(s) taught. Instructors teaching online courses are required to complete additional online instructor training prior to teaching their first course.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS & PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (“FERPA”) sets out requirements designed to afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. In addition, it limits  information the school may disclose to third parties without receiving prior written consent from the student.

Procedure to Obtain Education Records

Students have the right under FERPA to inspect and review their education records. A student who wishes to inspect and review his/her records should submit a written request to the Student Records Department.

The request should identify as precisely as possible the records the student wishes to inspect. If the requested records are subject to inspection and review by the student, arrangements for access will be made within a reasonable period of time but in no case more than 45 days after the request was made, and the student will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The school may require the presence of a school official during the inspection and review of a student’s records.

The term “education record” does not include certain types of records such as, by way of example, records of instructional, supervisory, administrative, and certain educational personnel that are in the sole possession of the maker thereof and are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a substitute. When a record contains personally identifiable information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the information that relates to him/her personally.

Disclosure of Educational Records

The school generally will not permit disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records of a student without prior written consent of the student.

Personally identifiable information is disclosed (some items are mandatory, some discretionary) from the records of a student without that student’s prior written consent to the following individuals or institutions or in the following circumstances:

  1. To school officials who have legitimate educational interests in the records. A school official is:
    1. A PERSON EMPLOYED BY THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL OR ITS CORPORATE PARENT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE, SUPERVISORY, ACADEMIC OR RESEARCH, OR SUPPORT STAFF POSITION. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO HUMAN RESOURCES AND ACCOUNTING STAFF; OR
    2. A PERSON EMPLOYED BY OR UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL TO PERFORM SPECIFIC TASKS, SUCH AS AN AUDITOR, CONSULTANT, OR ATTORNEY, A PERSON ON THE BOARD OF MANAGERS, OR A STUDENT ASSISTING ANOTHER SCHOOL OFFICIAL. ANY SCHOOL OFFICIAL WHO NEEDS INFORMATION ABOUT A STUDENT IN THE COURSE OF PERFORMING INSTRUCTIONAL, SUPERVISORY, ADVISORY, OR ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES HAS A LEGITIMATE EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.
  2. To certain officials of the United States Department of Education, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, and state and local educational authorities in connection with state or federally supported educational programs.
  3. In connection with the student’s request for, or receipt of, financial aid necessary to determine the eligibility, amounts or conditions of financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
  4. To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school.
  5. To accrediting commissions or state licensing or regulatory bodies to carry out their functions.
  6. To parents of a dependent student, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.
  7. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
  8. To appropriate parties in health or safety emergencies.
  9. To an alleged victim of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sexual offense, the final results of the disciplinary proceedings conducted by the school against the alleged perpetrator of that crime or offense with respect to that crime or offense.
  10. To persons in addition to the victim of a crime of violence or non-forcible sexual offense, the final results of the disciplinary proceedings described in paragraph 9 above but only if the school has determined that a student is the perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sexual offense, and with respect to the allegation made against him or her, the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies. In such instances, the school may only disclose the name of the perpetrator — not the name of any other student, including a victim or witness — without the prior written consent of the other student(s). Both the accuser and the accused must be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense. Compliance with this paragraph does not constitute a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g). For the purpose of this paragraph, the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding means only the institution’s final determination with respect to the alleged sex offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused.
  11. To a parent regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state, or local law or of any rules or policy of the school governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines that the student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to that use or possession, and the student is under 21 at the time of the disclosure to the parent.
  12. Directory information (see below).

Record of Requests for Disclosure

Except with respect to those requests made by the student themselves, those disclosures made with the written consent of the student, or to requests by or disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interests and disclosures of directory information (or other exceptions described in the applicable regulations), the school will maintain a record indicating the parties who have requested or obtained personally identifiable information from a student’s education records and the legitimate interests those parties had in requesting or obtaining the information.

This record may be inspected by the student.

Directory Information

The school designates the following information as directory information. (Directory information is personally identifiable information that may be disclosed without the student’s consent):

  1. Student’s name
  2. Address: Local, email, and website
  3. Telephone number (local)
  4. Date and place of birth
  5. Program of study
  6. Participation in officially recognized activities
  7. Dates of attendance
  8. Degrees and certificates awarded
  9. Most recent previously attended school
  10. Photograph of the student, if available
  11. Enrollment status (i.e., enrolled, continuing, future enrolled student, re-entry, leave of absence, etc.)
  12. Student honors and awards received

Notice of these categories and of the right of an individual in attendance at the school to request that his/her directory information be kept confidential will be given to the student annually.

Students may request nondisclosure of student directory information by specifying nondisclosure, in writing, to the Student Records Department, The Los Angeles Film School, 6353 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

Correction of Educational Records

Students have the right under FERPA to ask to have records corrected which they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights.

The following are the procedures for the correction of records:

  1. A student must ask the V.P. of Education to amend a record. As part of the request, the student should identify the part of the record they want to have changed and specify why they believe it to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of his/her privacy rights.
  2. The school may either amend the record or decide not to amend the record. If it decides not to amend the record, it will notify the student of its decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
  3. Upon request, the school will arrange for a hearing and notify the student reasonably in advance of the date, place, and time of the hearing. The hearing will be conducted by an individual who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing. That individual may be an official of the school. The student shall be afforded a forum for the opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend the student’s education records.
  4. The school will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence, and the reasons for the decision.
  5. If, as a result of the hearing, the school decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, it will:
    1. amend the record accordingly, and
    2. inform the student of the amendment in writing.
  6. If, as a result of the hearing, the school decides that the information in the education record is not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, it shall inform the student of the right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information in the record or stating why he or she disagrees with the decision of the school.
  7. If a statement is placed in the education records of a student under paragraph 6 above, the school will maintain the statement with the contested part of the record for as long as the record is maintained and disclose the statement whenever it discloses the portion of the record to which the statement relates.

Student Right to File Complaint

A student has the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the governmental office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office, United States Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605

GRADE SYSTEM

The school uses a standard 4.0 scale to calculate grade point averages.


LETTER GRADE		POINT VALUENUMERIC SCORE
A+4.0 (HONORS)98–100
A4.094–97
A-3.790–93
B+3.387–89
B3.084–86
B-2.780–83
C+2.377–79
C2.074–76
C-1.770–73
D+1.367–69
D1.060–66
F0.00–59
PN/APROFICIENT

Grades will not be rounded until the final grade. To calculate the final grade percentage, the final total points are divided by the total points available for the course. If the final percentage is less than a whole number, the following rules are utilized to determine the score by a whole number:

  • When the number is .50 or greater, the score is rounded to the next highest number. (i.e., 79.50 = 80)
  •  When the number is .49 or less, the score is rounded to the next lowest number.  (i.e., 92.49 = 92)

Other letter grades:

CRPRIOR CREDIT EARNEDNot included in GPA but does count as Credits Earned and Attempted
FAFAILURE FOR NON-ATTENDANCEIncluded in GPA and credits attempted
GFGRADE FORGIVENESSIndicates course that was retaken
IINCOMPLETENot included in GPA but does count as credits attempted
TRTRANSFER CREDITNot included in GPA but does count as Credits Earned and Attempted
WWITHDRAWNGrade awarded if student withdraws from a course. Not included in GPAcalculation or credits attempted.
WPWITHDRAWN PASSINGGrade awarded if student withdraws from a course prior to 60% of the term. Not included in GPA calculation but count as credits attempted.
WFWITHDRAWN FAILINGGrade awarded if student withdraws from a course after 60% of the term. Included in GPA calculation and count as credits attempted.

Expected Graduation Date: All course withdrawals (W, WP, WF Grades), course incompletion (I Grade), and course failures (F, FA grades) will impact the expected graduation date.

Students will receive an email notification when the graduation date is impacted as a result of a course withdrawal, a course incompletion, or a course failure. Once the course retake has been scheduled, students will be able to access the updated graduation date on the student portal.

Grades are posted on the student portal at cvportal.lafilm.edu in week 2 of the following term. 

PASS/FAIL GRADING POLICY

Students may request to take up to 15 credit hours on a Pass/Fail basis. Requests must be submitted before the end of the course term. Grades of A+ through D will be converted to a P (Pass). A passing grade (P) will count toward degree program requirements but will not be used in calculating the student’s GPA (i.e., will have no positive or negative impact on the GPA). A (F) failing grade is treated the same as any other F grade (i.e., the credits are included in SAP calculation and will have a negative impact on GPA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the credit hour limitation and deadlines for converting a passing grade of D or higher to a P (Pass) grade have been waived for any courses taken during the April 2020 through the February 2021 terms.

GRADE APPEALS

Faculty members are responsible for clearly stating the instructional objectives of the course at the beginning of each term and for evaluating student achievement in a manner consistent with the stated objectives. Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established in the syllabus for each course in which they are enrolled. The grade appeal procedure provides a formal process for students to request a review of final grades that they think were incorrectly awarded.

The burden of proof rests with the student to demonstrate that the grade assigned for the course was made on the basis of any of the following conditions:

  • A grading decision was made on some basis other than performance and other than as a penalty for academic dishonesty.
  • A grading decision was based on standards unreasonably different from those that were applied to other students.
  • A grading decision was based on a substantial, unreasonable, or unannounced departure from the course objectives and assignments.

The student must submit a grade appeal, in writing, to the course instructor who issued the grade no later than 14 calendar days after the grade is posted and available for the student to see through their student portal account. If, after subsequent consultation with the course instructor, the student is not satisfied and wishes to pursue the issue, or if the instructor is not available or does not respond within 7 days, the student should submit the appeal in writing to the Program Director. Documentation supporting the grade change based on the appropriate category set forth above is to be submitted with the appeal.

If no appeal is filed within this time period, the grade shall be considered final. The Program Director will discuss the matter with the student and with the course instructor, arrive at a decision, and will document the appeal and the Director’s response.

This decision is final.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to receive a degree from an undergraduate degree program, a student must complete all semester credit hours including all required coursework and achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

HONORS

Degree honors are awarded to students who graduate with the following enrollment cumulative GPA:

Summa Cum Laude3.80–4.0
Magna Cum Laude3.70–3.79
Cum Laude3.50–3.69

HOURS OF OPERATION

General business hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm PT.

Classes, labs, and other academic events run 7 days per week, 7:00am to midnight.

HOUSING 

The Los Angeles Film School does not offer on-campus student housing or dormitories but is able to provide guidance and resources towards identifying the many apartment accommodations available in the area. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, California, ranges between $1,500 and $2,500. Students may contact the Los Angeles Film School’s housing specialist for additional information on housing inquiries at housing@lafilm.edu or by calling 1-323-769-2230. For helpful information on locating apartments around the Hollywood area, visit apartments.com for detailed information on the cost of living in Los Angeles. The school does not endorse or make any warranty as to the accuracy or usefulness of these websites. The websites are provided solely for informational purposes. In addition, the school can assist in providing roommate options if that is the desired route to take.

The Los Angeles Film School does not offer student transportation although there are options available for public transit offered by LA Metro www.metro.net/. The campus is located close to the Hollywood and Vine train station stop.

INTERRUPTION OF TRAINING

In extenuating circumstances, students may apply for an Interruption in Training (IOT) from their program. Students must submit the request in writing and it must be approved by the school prior to taking an IOT. The maximum time allowed for an IOT is 90 days in a 12-month period. Students who are unable to return after 90 days due to serious illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstances, may request an extension. However, students cannot be on an IOT for more than 180 days in any 12-month period. Students on an IOT are not allowed to access campus facilities or equipment and are not eligible to receive financial aid disbursements. Students who fail to resume their courses at the end of an IOT will be administratively withdrawn from their program.

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

All courses of instruction are taught in English. The institution does not offer instruction in any language other than English. The school does not offer English language services such as translators or ESL classes.

LOCATION WHERE INSTRUCTION WILL BE PROVIDED

Lecture classes, lab classes, and other educational activities are held at instructional locations in Hollywood, California: 6363 Sunset Boulevard, 6353 Sunset Boulevard, 1605 North Ivar Avenue, and 6690 Sunset Boulevard.

In a hybrid class, academic technology is used to structure remote activities. Online degree programs and courses are delivered over our Learning Management System (LMS), which is a secure web-based platform that employs modern multimedia technologies and is accessible 24 hours a day via the Internet. Online students use this system to view video content, receive and submit project work and assignments, take tests and quizzes, communicate with instructors and classmates, and review grades and course progress. Online faculty are also available via email and telephone, and they provide contact information and virtual office hours information each term within the course information on the LMS.

MAKEUP WORK & EXCUSED ABSENCE POLICY

Students are responsible for planning their schedules to avoid conflict with course requirements. The school recognizes, however, that there are legitimate circumstances under which students may be unable to attend and/or miss coursework.

  • When an absence is considered excused due to legitimate circumstances, students are granted accommodation to make up missed work, including but not limited to in-class work, homework, quizzes, tests, and instructional time.
  • When a student attends class but legitimate circumstances warrant allowing makeup work, students are granted accommodation to make up missed work, including but not limited to in-class work, homework, quizzes, tests, and instructional time. 

Note: In some cases—such as class discussions, group projects, etc.—it may not be possible for the student to make up the coursework. In these cases, accommodations granted are at the discretion of the instructor.

The excused absence and/or opportunity to make up work is granted by the instructor using the following criteria:

  • Instructors may grant an excused absence during the academic term due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include:
    • illness, physical or mental, of the student or his or her dependent 
    • medical conditions related to pregnancy
    • subpoenas
    • jury duty
    • military service 
    • bereavement, including travel related to bereavement
    • religious observances 
  • For circumstances not listed above, the instructor has the primary responsibility to decide on a case-by-case basis if an absence is due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Instructors have the discretion to grant a request for an excused absence in order to allow makeup work in such circumstances. 
  • Students must notify their instructors of circumstances for which they are requesting an excused absence as soon as possible and provide information to explain the absence. Some situations will be sufficiently urgent that arrangements for makeup work cannot be made prior to the date of an absence. In such cases, students must notify their instructor(s) as soon as possible following their return. 
  • If the absence is deemed to be excused, the instructor will not penalize the student and will provide reasonable and timely accommodation including the opportunity to make up missed work. This includes exams or other course requirements that affect the course grade.
  • If the absence caused a student to miss a component or components of the course that cannot be made up in exactly the same manner, the instructor may substitute activity(ies) or assignment(s) that satisfy the course requirements.
  • Instructors are not obligated to accommodate a student who has missed so much of the critical components of a course—even for legitimate reasons—that arrangements for makeup work would not be reasonable. 
  • The instructor will determine an appropriate date for completing the missed work and notify the student in writing. The student must submit all work by this date to receive credit.

Important note: An excused absence is still recorded as an absence. This may or may not impact other policies that are based on attendance. Please note:  

  • Excused absences will not be counted toward the maximum permissible absences in a course that result in a failure for lack of attendance (FA) grade.
  • Excused absences will count toward the 14-day consecutive calendar day maximum that requires that students be administratively withdrawn from the school.
  • Excused Absences may or may not affect eligibility for benefits or other statuses. Students who receive an excused absence should contact their Student Advisor regarding information specific to their status.

MAXIMUM TIME FRAME FOR
PROGRAM COMPLETION / CREDIT STANDARD

Students are expected to complete degree requirements after attempting a certain number of credits. The maximum attempted credits allowed for degree completion will be up to 150% of the credits needed to complete that degree.

ONLINE STUDENT ACCESS TO CAMPUS

Online students who are in an active status and enrolled in courses may access the campus library during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm PT). Students must present a valid government issued I.D. to be permitted on campus. Campus tours are available for students, Monday through Friday during business hours and can be scheduled through the lafilm.edu website.

Online students are not permitted to book studios and production stages or check-out equipment from the campus.

RE-ENTRY

Students that were administratively withdrawn for non-attendance who wish to return to school must submit a written request for re-entry. Students who had a cumulative GPA below a 2.0 at the time they were withdrawn must submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee, which may approve or deny the request for re-entry in their sole discretion. Re-entry students will be conditionally re-enrolled and must successfully pass their first course with a grade of “C” or higher in order to be approved for readmission. Students will receive academic and financial credit for any courses previously completed that are still offered in the program at the time of re-entry. Any balance of tuition must be paid prior to re-entry.

RESPONSE TIMES FOR ONLINE PROGRAMS

Students enrolled in online degree programs will be provided access to their course materials through the online Learning Management System (LMS) on the first day of the course.

Students will submit their assignments, projects, and assessments through the LMS. Students will receive a response within three (3) days following submission, and students will receive their final grade for the course within approximately fourteen (14) days of the end of the term. Online instructors are expected to respond to student questions within 24 hours if submitted Monday through Friday, and by Monday if submitted on Saturday/Sunday. 

Students may view grades for individual assignments and tests via the Learning Management System by clicking on the individual activity title. Final grades for each course are posted 14 days following the end of each monthly term and are available for the student to view on the student’s CampusVue Portal account.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

All students will have their qualitative and quantitative academic progress measured at the end of each completed semester. This process is known as the assessment of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). This process applies to all Los Angeles Film School students regardless of Title IV eligibility/recipient status. This process also applies to all enrolled students in any program regardless of enrollment status — full time or part time.

To be in good SAP standing and maintain eligibility for financial aid, a student must meet the following minimum standards of progress at each evaluation point, which is the end of each semester or the end of every fourth monthly term.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Students must meet a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) at each evaluation point:

  • For evaluations up to 24% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a CGPA of 1.0;
  • For evaluations between 25% and 49% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a CGPA of 1.5; and
  • For evaluations at or after 50% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a CGPA of a 2.0

Rate of Progress (ROP) toward Completion of the Program

Students must progress at a satisfactory rate toward completion of the program within the maximum permissible timeframe to complete the program as defined in this policy. Furthermore, students must achieve the following ROP:

  • For evaluations up to 24% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve an ROP of 50%;
  • For evaluations between 25% and 49% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a cumulative ROP of 55%;
  • For evaluations between 50% and 74% of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a cumulative ROP of 60%; and
  • For evaluations at or after 75% or more of the program length in attempted credits, achieve a cumulative ROP of 66.67%.

A student’s ROP is calculated by dividing the number of credits earned by the number of credits attempted as defined in the SAP Treatment of Grades section of this SAP policy. 

Maximum Program Completion Timeframe (MTF)

Students must complete their program within a maximum timeframe of 150% of the published length of the program as calculated in credits attempted. For example, a student enrolled in a 60-semester credit program must complete the program in a maximum timeframe of 90 attempted semester credits. If, at any point, the institution determines it will be mathematically impossible for a student to complete his/her program within the maximum timeframe, the student will be deemed to not be making satisfactory progress and the student’s financial aid will be suspended.

Rounding Rules

For the purposes of calculating each SAP measurement, the school calculates the percentage to the hundredth decimal place. This means if the resulting percentage from this calculation is a .005 to .009, the percentage will be rounded up to .01 and down to .00 if the calculation results in a .001 to .004.  For example, if a student attempts 110 credits but only successfully earns 75 of those credits, the ROP would be 68.181 and rounded down to 68.18%, and a cumulative GPA of 3.578 will be rounded to 3.58.

CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO MEET SAP REQUIREMENTS

WARNING

Students not meeting any of the SAP requirements after being in good SAP standing will be placed on SAP Warning for the following semester and will be notified of this status through their student email account. Students are still eligible to receive financial aid while on SAP Warning status. At the end of the SAP Warning semester, students who are meeting SAP will be removed from SAP Warning status.

SUSPENSION

Students not meeting SAP at the end of the SAP Warning semester will be suspended from receiving additional financial aid. The student will be suspended from receiving financial aid, and subject to program termination, if  they do not return to good SAP standing after the completion of an SAP Probation semester or do not meet the requirements of an Academic Recovery Plan. The student will be notified in writing of the suspension of their financial aid due to SAP reasons and of their  appeal rights.

APPEAL

Students have 30 days to appeal the suspension of financial aid for SAP reasons. An appeal may be submitted based on injury, illness, the death of a relative, or other extenuating or special circumstances that occurred during the semester the student did not meet the SAP standards. Students are allowed to appeal the suspension of financial aid twice while in pursuit of a degree.

Students must submit an SAP Appeal form, which will be sent to their student email account or may be obtained from their Student Advisor. A completed appeal package must be submitted to the SAP Appeal Committee  and include the following:

  • A completed SAP Appeal form explaining why the student failed to make SAP and a description of what has changed that will allow the student to reestablish SAP
  • Supporting documentation
  • Signed Academic Recovery Plan developed by their Student Advisor

The SAP Appeal Committee will review the appeal package and notify the student by email within 5 days of its decision. The decision of the SAP Appeal Committee is final. If a student’s SAP appeal is approved, the student will be placed on SAP Probation and an Academic Recovery Plan (ARP) as a condition of the appeal approval. The ARP can last up to four semesters, depending on the period of time needed to return to good SAP standing. If the appeal is denied, the financial aid suspension will stand for at least one semester, and regardless of duration, the student will not regain eligibility until the student meets all of the SAP standards. If the appeal is denied, the student may also be subject to program dismissal. See the “Reinstatement Process” section.

Probation and Academic Recovery Plans

Students placed on SAP Probation are eligible to receive financial aid for one semester. If the student needs more than one semester to meet the minimum SAP standards, the student will also be placed on an Academic Recovery Plan. The student on an ARP will continue to qualify for financial aid while meeting the terms of the ARP.

For students who are given only a one-semester Probation, the student must meet the minimum SAP standards at the end of the Probation semester. If the student does not meet the minimum SAP standards after a one-semester Probation, the student will be returned to financial aid suspension status the following semester. For students who are given an ARP, the student must meet the terms of their ARP at each SAP evaluation point. If the student does not meet the terms of the ARP, the student will be returned to financial aid suspension the following semester. Students who do not return to good SAP standing after a single semester of Probation or meet the terms of their ARP are subject to program dismissal. Students are allowed to appeal the suspension of financial aid twice while in pursuit of a degree. Students on probation and ARP status will be notified by email when this status changes.

REINSTATEMENT PROCESS

A student who has been suspended from receiving financial aid for SAP reasons may be allowed to continue to take classes at their own expense to improve their CGPA and ROP. The student will be evaluated at the end of a suspension semester to determine if the student has met all of the SAP standards and potentially can meet all subsequent benchmarks. If so, the student’s financial aid will be reinstated in the subsequent semester, provided the student is otherwise eligible. The student also has the option to explore program transfer options that may result in the reinstatement of financial aid for the new program.

SAP TREATMENT OF GRADES

A, B, C, AND D (AND RELATED + AND – DESIGNATIONS)

Included in the GPA calculation and counts as credits attempted and credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

PROFICIENT (P GRADE)

This is classified as a passing grade, and counts as credits attempted and credits earned in the ROP and MTF. There is no impact on the GPA when a Proficient (P grade) has been provided. A student is limited to 15 semester credits with this grade per degree program.

FAILURE FOR NON-ATTENDANCE (FA GRADE) AND F GRADE

Included in the GPA calculation and counts as credits attempted but not credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

INCOMPLETE (I GRADE)

Not included in the GPA but does count as credits attempted but not as credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

CREDITS EARNED (CR GRADE FOR INTERNAL TRANSFER CREDITS)

Not included in the GPA but does count as credits attempted and as credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

TRANSFER CREDIT (TR GRADE FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFER CREDITS)

Not included in the GPA but does count as credits attempted and as credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

WITHDRAWN (W GRADE)

Not included in the GPA calculation or credits attempted in the ROP and MTF (grade is given when a student does not start a course).

WITHDRAWN PASSING (WP GRADE)

Not included in the GPA calculation but counts as credits attempted but not as credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

WITHDRAWN FAILING (WF GRADE)

Included in the GPA calculation as a failing grade and counts as credits attempted but not as credits earned in the ROP and MTF.

Repeat Courses: The unsuccessful attempt grade remains in the GPA calculation until the course is completed with a passing grade, at which point only the passing grade is included in the GPA calculation. All course attempts are included in the ROP and MTF.

IMPACT OF PROGRAM TRANSFERS
OR ADDITIONAL DEGREES ON SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Should a student be approved to transfer from one program of study to another or wish to obtain an additional degree, the student’s prior coursework will be treated as completed credits within the new program only if the courses are part of the new program of study as outlined in the catalog. In such cases, attempted and completed credits will be considered in determining satisfactory academic progress from the CGPA, ROP, and maximum allowable timeframe.

PROBATIONARY STATUS

Students who do not meet grading, attendance, financial, or conduct standards may be placed on probation. During this time, students are advised as to the level of improvement or the action necessary to rectify the probationary status. Students are removed from probation when satisfactory progress standards have been met. Students who do not meet satisfactory progress requirements at the end of their probationary period are subject to termination.

STUDENT ADA/SECTION 504 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The institution, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA, as amended in 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), does not discriminate on the basis of disability in administration of its education-related programs and activities, and has an institutional commitment to provide equal educational opportunities for disabled students who are otherwise qualified. Students who feel that their rights under this policy have been violated may use these grievance procedures to file a complaint.

Any person who has questions or wishes to file a complaint should direct their inquiry to the school’s ADA Coordinator. 

The complaint can be filed by email at disabilityservices@lafilm.edu or in person in the Student Advising Department, 6353 Sunset Blvd., 1st Floor, Hollywood, CA 90028.

For online students, the complaint can be filed by email at online_disabilityservices@lafilm.edu.

1.  Informal Resolution

Prior to initiating the formal complaint procedure set forth below, the student should, in general, first discuss the matter orally or in writing with the individual(s) most directly responsible. If no resolution results, or if direct contact is inappropriate under the circumstances, the student should then consult with the ADA Coordinator who will attempt to facilitate a resolution. If this step is not successful in achieving a satisfactory resolution within 7 calendar days, the student will be informed of their right to file a formal complaint.

2.  Formal Resolution

If the procedure set forth above for informal resolution does not yield a successful resolution, then the student may file a formal complaint. Complaints must be filed as soon as possible, but in no event later than 14 days after the conclusion of the term in which the concern arose.

A complaint must be in writing and include the following:

  • Grievant’s name, address, email address, and phone number.
  • A full description of the problem.
  • A description of what efforts have been made to resolve the issue informally.
  • A statement of the remedy requested.

The formal complaint can be filed by email at compliance@lafilm.edu or by faxing to 323.769.8776.

3.  Investigation and Report

The Compliance Department or his or her designee (hereafter collectively referred to as the “grievance officer”) will promptly initiate an investigation. In undertaking the investigation, the grievance officer may interview, consult with, and/or request a written response to the issues raised in the grievance from any individual the grievance officer believes to have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students. Upon completion of the investigation, the grievance officer will prepare and transmit to the student, and to the party against whom the grievance is directed, a final report containing a summary of the investigation, written findings, and a proposed disposition. This transmission will be expected within 45 calendar days of the filing of the formal complaint. The final report may also be provided, where appropriate, to any school official whose authority will be needed to carry out the proposed disposition or to determine whether any personnel action is appropriate. The disposition proposed by the grievance officer will be put into effect promptly.

4.  Retaliation Prohibited

Filing an informal or formal complaint of discrimination is a protected activity under the law. Retaliation against anyone who files a complaint, who supports or assists an individual in pursuing a complaint, or who participates in the resolution of a complaint is prohibited. Any retaliatory action may be the basis of another complaint under this policy and may subject the individual engaged in retaliation to discipline under the appropriate student, staff, or faculty disciplinary policies.

STUDENT COMPLAINTS & QUESTIONS

Students are encouraged to present and discuss any concern or complaint, with The Los Angeles Film School staff and/or faculty and/or administrator. In the event of a concern, grievance or complaint that is not satisfactorily addressed in a meeting with the appropriate staff/faculty/administrator, a student may submit a complaint questionnaire form online at www.lafilm.edu/accreditation/student-complaints. The complaint will be received by the Education Administrator, Edwin Cruz. The Education Administrator will serve as an impartial representative of the institution who is not directly involved in the area of complaint. If the Education Administrator must be recused due to involvement in the area of complaint, another institution staff member will be assigned for assurance of serving as an impartial representation. The Education Administrator will direct and facilitate each complaint with the appropriate Staff/Faculty member with the goal being to obtain a satisfactory resolution and/or ultimate clarification. Students will receive initial acknowledgment of the complaint and may be contacted for additional input. Students should be willing to be involved in discussion and communication towards resolution. Upon completion of the review of facts and evidence, the student will be notified of the final decision by the appropriate staff/faculty member within 30 days of receiving the grievance in writing. 

Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the institution has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission. All complaints reviewed by the Commission must be in written form and should grant permission for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the institution for a response. This can be accomplished by filing the ACCSC Complaint Form. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission.

Please direct all inquiries to:

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703.247.4212 
www.accsc.org

A copy of the ACCSC Complaint Form is available at the school and may be obtained by contacting complaints@accsc.org or at www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/Complaints.aspx.

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Disclosures for California residents:

(A) Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at:

1747 N. Market Boulevard, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834

OR

P.O. Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818
Phone: 888.370.7589   Fax: 916.263.1897

www.bppe.ca.gov

(B) As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog before signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you before signing an enrollment agreement.

(C) A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling 888.370.7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet web site (www.bppe.ca.gov).

(D) The Office of Student Assistance and Relief is available to support prospective students, current students, or past students of private postsecondary institutions in making informed decisions, understanding their rights, and navigating available services and relief option. The office may be reached by calling (888)-370-7589 or by visiting www.bppe.ca.gov.

Connecticut Residents

Connecticut residents who are unable to resolve complaints with the institution may contact the Connecticut Office of Higher Education.

Complaints should be directed to:

Emily Bjornberg, Senior Consultant, Academic Affairs
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 707, Hartford, CT 06103
Emily.Bjornberg@ct.gov
www.ohe.ct.gov
860-947-1824 (office)

Florida Residents

A grievance procedure is available to any student who believes a decision or action has adversely affected his/her status, rights, or privileges as a student. The purpose is to provide a prompt and equitable process for resolving student grievances. Students with grievances should first meet with a School Director and complete a written statement. If the grievance is not resolved, then the School Director will review it will all parties concerned. The Executive Director’s decision is final.

Students who feel a grievance is unresolved may refer their grievance to:

Executive Director, Commission for Independent Education,
325 West Gaines Street, Suite #1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Phone: 850.245.3200 or toll free at 888.224.6684

Georgia Residents

Residents of Georgia enrolled in a Los Angeles Film School Online Program may appeal to the Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) in relation to any compliance or grievance such a student may have that is not resolved to such a student’s satisfaction.

The GNPEC may be reached at:

2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, GA 30084-5305
Phone: 770.414.3300
https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-resources/complaints-against-institution

Kansas Residents

The Los Angeles Film School is authorized to operate in Kansas with a Certificate of Approval from the Kansas Board of Regents.  

Kansas Board of Regents:

1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785.430.4240

STUDENT COMPLAINTS/QUESTIONS

Kansas students who are filing a complaint against The Los Angeles Film School should follow the standard Los Angeles Film School grievance procedure information.  

If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached after exhausting The Los Angeles Film School’s complaint procedure, Kansas residents may file a complaint with the Kansas Board of Regents at: www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/private_out_of_state/complaint_process

Maryland Residents

This institution is subject to investigation of complaints by the Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Complaints should be directed to:

Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-3300
collegiatecomplaint.mhec@maryland.gov
https://onestop.md.gov/forms/mhec-student-complaint-portal-5f74bfc0ab0f9d00fc796766

Minnesota Residents

GOVERNING BODY – STATEMENT OF LEGAL CONTROL

Los Angeles Film School is a fictitious name registered by Los Angeles Film Schools, LLC dba Los Angeles Film School and is organized and charted under the laws of the State of California and is registered with the California Secretary of State as a Limited Liability Company. The address of the governing body is 6363 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Los Angeles Film School is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions. In addition, all registered schools shall publish in the school catalog or student handbook the name, street address, telephone number, and website address of the office.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education:

1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Phone: 651.642.0567 or toll free at 800.657.3866 or fax 651.642.0675
www.ohe.state.mn.us

Board of Co-Chairmen-Governing Body:  1) Edward E. Haddock, Jr.; 2) James W. Heavener; 3) Jonathan D. Phelps 
Administration:   Tammy Elliott, President 
Online Administration Officers:  Monica Landrum, VP Online Admissions • Spencer Gibson, Associate Director Online Student Success Advising and Outreach • Blake Cronin, Director of Online Enrollment • Laura Armstrong, Online Director of Financial Aid

North Carolina Residents

The school is owned by Los Angeles Film Schools, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company.

The address of the governing body is 6363 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028.

North Carolina resident students who feel they need to file a complaint with The Los Angeles Film School may do so via the school’s complaints portal at www.lafilm.edu/accreditation/student-complaints if their concern has not been adequately addressed with the appropriate program or staff administrator. Complaints may also be addressed to Lisa Schoening, Director of Accreditation and Compliance, at compliance@lafilm.edu.

Board of Co-Chairmen-Governing Body: 1) Edward E. Haddock, Jr.; 2) James W. Heavener; 3) Jonathan D. Phelps.

North Carolina resident students wishing to file a complaint with the Board of Co-Chairmen may address their complaint in writing to:

Los Angeles Film School Board of Co-Chairmen
6363 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Los Angeles Film School maintains a guarantee bond for the benefit of North Carolina residents in case of school closure. It is filed with Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, under the laws of the State of Connecticut and duly authorized to transact business as a surety under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

Oregon Residents

Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) can respond to a formal complaint.

Students may contact:

Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302

Students may send an email to: complaints@hecc.oregon.gov

Students may also access the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission complaints web page at: www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/complaints.aspx

Wisconsin Residents

The Educational Approval Board (EAB) has the authority, under EAB 4.08(2), to investigate a student complaint, negotiate a settlement, or dismiss a complaint if it is found to be inappropriate. The following information is intended to help students file a complaint about a school that the EAB regulates.

Before you file a complaint with the EAB, state law requires that you try to resolve the matter with the school. Every EAB-approved school has a process to resolve student complaints. If the matter is not resolved, you may file a complaint with the EAB using the EAB Student Complaint form, published on the EAB website.

Complaints must be filed within one year after the student’s last recorded date of attendance. Upon receiving a student complaint, EAB investigates it. If preliminary findings indicate a violation by a school, the EAB shall attempt, through mediation, to resolve the complaint. If no agreement is reached, the EAB may dismiss the complaint or conduct a hearing. Under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law (Wis. Stats., Ch. 19), complaints will generally be available for review on request from a member of the public after the EAB has acted.

For more information, visit the EAB web page on this topic:
dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/EducationalApproval/EAPFileAComplaint.aspx

You may contact the EAB at the below address if you have any questions about the complaint process:

Wisconsin Educational Approval Board, 431 Charmany Drive, Suite 102, Madison, WI 53719
Phone: 608.266.1996

Wisconsin Policies for Residents Enrolled in Online Programs

The following policies apply only to residents of the State of Wisconsin who enroll in online degree programs.

Institutional Ownership:

The school is owned by Los Angeles Film Schools, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company. Los Angeles Film Schools, LLC is owned by a group of business entities with a background in education and finance including:

  • Phelps Education West, LLC
  • The Heavener Company Education West, LLC
  • Haddock Education, LLC
  • LAFS, LLC
  • Cal Lending

Chief School Administrator: The Chief School Administrator is Tammy Elliott

Acceptance

The school has an open admissions policy. Upon receipt of a full and complete Application for Admission, the school reviews the application to ensure that the applicant meets all minimum criteria for admission and in the affirmative, the applicant is notified of acceptance by phone call. Students are accepted on a provisional basis subject to successful completion of a technology assessment and orientation module.

Effect of Advanced Standing

Students who are granted credit for courses via transfer of credit for previous education or via CLEP, DTTS, or ACE test scores (see Transfer of Credit Policy) may find that the length of the program in which they are enrolled is reduced by one month for each course in which the student is granted credit. Students who are granted credit for courses via transfer of credit for previous education or via CLEP, DTTS, or ACE test scores (see Transfer of Credit Policy in the Academic Catalog Online Degree Programs) will receive a reduction in total tuition costs. The reduction in total tuition cost is calculated by a) determining the per-credit-hour tuition by dividing the total program tuition by the total credit hours of the program; then, b) multiplying the per credit hour tuition by the total transfer credit hours and/or test score credit hours awarded to determine the tuition reduction amount; then c) subtract the tuition reduction amount from the total tuition charge for the program to determine the adjusted tuition. See below example.

A 60-credit hour program with a total tuition charge of $30,000 for which a student is granted 6 credit hours of transfer of credit for previous education.

$30,000 / 60=$500 Tuition Per Credit Hour
$500 X 6=$3,000 Tuition Reduction Amount
$30,000 – $3,000=$27,000 Adjusted Tuition

Student tuition billing from the school is adjusted accordingly.

STUDENT PROJECTS

The content of student project work must not contain any pornographic material, any material that would be considered offensive by the general public, sexually explicit material, or profanity. A general rule of thumb is to follow a PG-13 rating. Students grant The Los Angeles Film School a perpetual license to any project work created as part of their academic program. This perpetual license does not require that students give up ownership to their work, but that they give the school the right to use the work for educational, marketing, or promotional purposes.

STUDENT RECORDS

Student records, including enrollment paperwork, course registration records, and final grades are maintained for a minimum of six years after graduation or from the time the student separates from the school. Student Financial Aid records are maintained for a minimum of three years after graduation or from the time the student separates from the school. Student transcripts are retained indefinitely.

Official Transcripts are available in electronic or paper mail formats. General processing time is 3–5 business days. To order a copy, please visit our Parchment LAFS storefront at www.parchment.com/u/registration/38311/account.

Unofficial Transcripts are available by logging into CV Portal.

Please follow the instructions below:

STEP 1.    Login to CV Portal cvportal.lafilm.edu
STEP 2.    Select Academics from the left-side menu, then Unofficial Transcript
STEP 3.    Select the Unofficial Transcript link (Transcript will open as a PDF Document)

To view transcripts from previous enrollments, select the enrollment from the menu and then select the Unofficial Transcript link.

VACCINATION POLICY

The Los Angeles Film School does not require vaccinations as a prerequisite for enrollment. Should vaccinations be required, the school will comply with local, state, and federal requirements and guidelines. 

VOTER REGISTRATION

The school makes voter registration forms available to students enrolled in our degree programs. The forms are available in the Student Advising Department.