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DIGITAL MEDIA
DIG 201 DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING I
3 credits
Learn the art and craft of editing videos from two award-winning
filmmakers. The course explores techniques that can be applied in
a range of non-linear editing programs, including Adobe Premiere
Pro. Yet the main focus is not just on developing software skills; it’s
on exploring the magic behind video editing. Challenging projects
including editing a commercial, an interview, a narrative scene, a
music video, a video diary, and a text title sequence.
DIG 204 DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
3 credits
Learn how to control white balance, aperture, and shutter speed,
to get high quality images from your digital video camera. You’ll
explore the different types of shots and camera motion techniques
used by the pros and learn how to do location scouting, plan
props, wardrobe, and sets, and work with talent. Course lectures
challenge you to think about different storytelling conventions
in narrative and documentary movie-making and address the
fundamentals of sound recording. You’ll script and storyboard short
movie sequences and develop an understanding of the various
roles in the video post-production process.
DIG 205 INTRO TO MOTION
1.5 credits
This course introduces topics of motion in animation and video
through research and observation of real-life movement and
movement in animation. Students learn basic principles of visible
motion—including physics principles—and apply these principles to
written analysis and practical explorations including flipbook-style
animation. Topics include movement of objects and characters.
DIG 206 FLASH ANIMATION
3 credits
Learn drawing and animation techniques for creating compelling
characters and interactive environments in Flash. Students explore
techniques for using scenes, movie clips, masks, and compound
objects to create animated buttons, graphics, cartoons, and
interfaces. The focus of the class is on applying and mastering the
principles of traditional animation using the basic Flash toolset (an
understanding of ActionScripting is not required).
DIG 211 MAYA I
3 credits
Autodesk Maya combines powerful tools for the major areas in 3D
content creation: modeling, animation, texturing, and rendering.
Many of today’s top video games are created in Maya, from
characters, to models, levels, and more. This 6-lesson course helps
you unlock the mysteries of this challenging program. You’ll develop
a thorough understanding of the Maya toolset, learning how to
create, edit, and refine polygon models, add textures and apply
UV maps, develop basic animations, and export scenes for team
or client preview. Class projects include working with primitives,
complex inorganic models, character modeling, texturing, animation
studies, and exporting a scene.
DIG 209 TIME-BASED MEDIA
3 credits
This course teaches students how to apply their digital media skills
to narrative contexts and build their portfolio with high concept
work. Students will explore narrative theory, visual development,
pipeline testing, iteration, and creative direction for digital media
projects. They will also study conventions of time based media
genres, including movie trailers, PSAs, commercials, and music
videos
DIG 214 CHARACTER ANIMATION I
1.5 credits
Learn how to apply the classic principles of character animation
to 3D models using Autodesk Maya. Learn major principles of
animation including squash and stretch and anticipated movement.
Using Maya’s high-level animation tools, you’ll gain insight into the
professional animator’s approach, learning to work with hierarchical
characters, create effective poses, and properly time your shots.
DIG 221 AFTER EFFECTS I
3 credits
Adobe After Effects is a powerful application used to create motion
graphics and visual effects for film and video. After Effects is
used in a variety of contexts, including broadcast graphics, music
videos, feature films, video rotoscoping, corporate presentations,
and conferences. In this 6-lesson course, you’ll learn how to use
After Effects to create sophisticated motion graphics—using text
and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding
audio and effects. You’ll learn how to set keyframes on a timeline
and work with transform properties, motion paths, masks, and
effects, developing a solid foundation in this increasingly popular
and versatile program.
DIG 259
CAPSTONE PROJECT – DIGITAL MEDIA
2 credits
The course provides students the opportunity to complete a
multidimensional digital media project in three stages, working
closely with a faculty member. The project will challenge students
to demonstrate their proficiency key aspects of the Digital Media
program including animation, video, and 3D. The project will require
research, concept development, and critical thinking, providing
students with the opportunity to explore a professional, iterative
process as well as experience simulated client interactions.
DIG 260
PORTFOLIO REVIEW – DIGITAL MEDIA
1 credit
The course provides students the opportunity to gather and
develop a portfolio of work and present it to faculty for feedback.
Faculty feedback will help students identify specific works or
subject areas that need improvement. The class structure provides
the ability to revise a portfolio for a final presentation, during
which students present both their final work and a professional
summary of their digital media capabilities. The class not only
helps students understand the strengths of their portfolio from a
real-world perspective, it also provides experience in developing
and presenting their portfolio that will be useful to their future
development as creative professionals.
ILLUSTRATION
ILL 101 DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION I
1.5 credits
Learn how an illustrator approaches perspective, lighting,
storytelling, and expression and how basic shapes, symbols,
gradients, fill colors, symbols, Bezier curves, and text can be
combined to create artwork in Illustrator. Creative class projects
include still life illustrations, editorial art/brand logos, and character
illustrations.
ILL 142 ILLUSTRATOR II
3 credits
Create photo-realistic illustrations, complex patterns, rich designs,
and learn how to speed your efforts with helpful workflow features.
You’ll build on your existing Illustrator skills to tackle high-end
projects with depth, dimension, and wow-power.
ILL 111
LIFE DRAWING I
3 credits
Follow traditional method to learn the standard measures and
proportions artists use to achieve naturalistic and expressive
figure drawings. Illustrations and activities guide students through
the structure of the human skeleton and help them understand
how the body’s anatomy shapes its external form. The course
builds progressively from the fundamentals to the challenges of
portraiture, three-dimensional form, composition, and expression.
ILL 202 DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION II
3 credits
Learn advanced illustration and Adobe Illustrator techniques for
communicating your creative concepts. This course explores a
professional illustrator approaches creating editorial illustrations,
icons, retro poster designs, illustrations with depth, and identity
designs. Open-ended projects will help you develop portfolio-
quality illustrations, and peer discussions and critiques will provide
valuable interaction opportunities.
ILL 204 PAINTING I
3 credits
After a thorough orientation to the painter’s materials (paint,
canvas, brushes, and solvents), students study a systematic and
time-honored approach to painting that enables them to capture
proportion, perspective, and lighting. Students learn how to build
a foundation with preparatory sketches and underpainting, then
gain control over value through monochromatic painting and color
studies.
ILL 206
CARTOONING AND SEQUENTIAL ART
3 credits
Explore storytelling through cartoons and sequential art. Learn
how to create a narrative by developing a story or character in a
series of scenes. Fundamental concepts in comic art are used as
the springboard for projects, which may be completed in traditional
or digital media.
ILL 208 WATERCOLOR
3 credits
Explore traditional watercolor techniques including various washes,
glazes, scumbles, resists, and more, and learn how to make the
techniques part of a personal painting style. The course begins
with a look at the materials and how to make the most of them, and
students explore watercolor’s unique properties by creating a color
grid. Emphases include prominent watercolor artists, how to shape
your style and choose intriguing subjects, and how to articulate
ideas into individual paintings and painting series.
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ILL 209 COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATION
3 credits
Explore business applications for your illustration work, from
editorial and commercial to advertising and marketing. In this
survey course, you will explore different genres of project work,
learning how contracts and copyright work and how to represent
yourself professionally and effectively.
ILL 210 TECHNICAL ILLUSTRATION
AND INFOGRAPHICS
3 credits
This course explores approaches and concepts in technical
illustration and infographics. Students learn methods for creating
instructional illustrations that communicate clearly and effectively.
Information design theories will be discussed and put into practice.
ILL 212 LIFE DRAWING II
1.5 credits
Tackle advanced techniques for life drawing. Learn how to observe
and capture the clothed human figure and explore basic techniques
for animal drawing. Form, structure, and motion will be essential
concepts as you find ways to address subjects that interest and
engage you.
ILL 259
CAPSTONE PROJECT – ILLUSTRATION
2 credits
The course provides students the opportunity to complete a
multidimensional illustration project in three stages, working
closely with a faculty member. The project will challenge students
to demonstrate their proficiency key aspects of the Illustration
program. The project will require research, concept development,
and critical thinking, providing students with the opportunity to
explore a professional, iterative process as well as experience
simulated client interactions.
ILL 260 PORTFOLIO REVIEW – ILLUSTRATION
1
credit
The course provides students the opportunity to gather and develop
a portfolio of work and present it to faculty for feedback. Faculty
feedback will help students identify specific works or subject
areas that need improvement. The class structure provides the
ability to revise a portfolio for a final presentation, during which
students present both their final work and a professional summary
of their capabilities. The class not only helps students understand
the strengths of their portfolio from a real-world perspective,
it also provides experience in developing and presenting their
portfolio that will be useful to their future development as creative
professionals.
ADVERTISING DESIGN
ADV 201 ADVERTISING DESIGN I
3 credits
Learn creative approaches to persuading with visuals, and you’ll
get an introduction to the history and business of advertising. Case
studies from print, Web, and TV showcase advertising concepts at
work: persuasion, color psychology and composition, copywriting
and typography, and brand communication. Class projects include
ads for a wide range of media and a final project in which you create
an entire ad campaign.
ADV 202 ADVERTISING DESIGN II
3 credits
Now you are ready to learn how to manage advertising campaigns
at a higher level. You are ready to develop campaign concepts
working from market research. You are able to develop multiple
creative concepts and present them to clients. Working with the
client’s marketing plan, you take your campaign ideas forward and
develop creative concepts and samples for a broad, multimedia
campaign.
ADV 204
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
1.5 credits
Dealing with advertising clients is a business. Do you understand
how ads are sold and evaluated? In this course, you will learn
how ad campaigns are typically managed in ad agencies, learning
about the different stages in a campaign and the responsibilities
of different stakeholders involved, from copywriters to designers,
creative directors, and account managers.
ADV 205 MARKETING DESIGN
3 credits
Explore how to make design decisions through research,
writing, and planning techniques that set marketing designers
(and their clients) apart from the competition. Class projects
challenge you to combine concept, research, planning,
presentation, and visual design to build your marketing portfolio.
ADV 206 COPYWRITING
3 credits
Every ad designer must grasp the basics of persuasive copywriting.
In this class, students will study how text and image interact in
effective ad campaigns, learning how to write and edit ad copy for
print and digital advertising media and turn written ideas into visual
expression.
ADV 207 CREATIVE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
3 credits
Develop your visual creativity. In advertising, illustration, or design,
you need to be able generate many ideas for your clients and
projects. This class provides you a training in identifying the
needs of each projects, brainstorming solutions, challenging your
assumptions, and testing/evaluating your ideas until you have a
winner.
ADV 259 CAPSTONE PROJECT
ADVERTISING DESIGN
2 credits
The course provides students the opportunity to complete a
multidimensional ad design project in three stages, working closely
with a faculty member. The project will challenge students to
demonstrate their proficiency key aspects of the Advertising Design
program. The project will require research, concept development,
and critical thinking, providing students with the opportunity to
explore a professional, iterative process as well as experience
simulated client interactions.
ADV 260 PORTFOLIO REVIEW –
ADVERTISING DESIGN
1 credit
The course provides students the opportunity to gather and develop
a portfolio of work and present it to faculty for feedback. Faculty
feedback will help students identify specific works or subject
areas that need improvement. The class structure provides the
ability to revise a portfolio for a final presentation, during which
students present both their final work and a professional summary
of their capabilities. The class not only helps students understand
the strengths of their portfolio from a real-world perspective,
it also provides experience in developing and presenting their
portfolio that will be useful to their future development as creative
professionals.
GENERAL EDUCATION
GEN 104 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
3 credits
Develop your writing skills and effective use of the English
language in professional documents. Learn to guide the reader
with a hierarchy of information and writing appropriate for different
situations. Explore methods for preparing and revising your writing
with a series of essays and a final paper.
GEN 105 COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
3 credits
Gain an understanding of computer systems and technology with
a focus on hardware components, file structure and formats, and
data delivery methods. Learn the setups and roles of hardware and
software technology in professional office settings.
GEN 106 HISTORY OF ART
3 credits
Build a foundation in art history and gain a deep understanding
of art and the artists who create it. Explore profound themes that
have concerned artists for centuries: nature, the human body,
society, religion, and politics. Through engaging lectures and
projects, you’ll learn how to identify the mediums, materials, and
techniques artists use and discuss the styles of important artists,
art movements, and historical periods from antiquity through the
mid-20th century.
GEN 107 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
3 credits
Explore topics in behavior, perception, and memory that shape
individuals and relationships. You’ll gain understanding of
the biological basis of human behavior, insight into important
theories and individuals in the psychology field, and a survey of
developmental and social principles.
GEN 204 INTRO TO MARKETING
1.5 credits
Lay a foundation for a career in business marketing design by
studying marketing concepts and how they impact the design
process. Students learn design principles and explore design case
studies from the world of marketing communications design. Focus
of the class is building a basic understanding how
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GEN 205 BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL WRITING
3 credits
Build your skills in writing professional documents and
documentation. This course explores writing styles essential to
business and technical documents such as professional letters,
proposals, fact sheets, and tutorials. You’ll focus on the clarity and
organization of your writing and writing for specific audience types.
GEN 206 DESIGN BUSINESS
1.5 credits
The course provides essential preparation for finding a job in the
design industry. Students learn how to defining a personal career
path, break down the job market, and defining their goals, talents,
and ideal job. The course explores different ways to brand yourself
as a designer, discussing tips for resume and portfolio preparation,
self promotion, marketing, client searches, responding to leads,
interviewing, and making presentations.
DIGITAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHO 104 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
1.5 credits
This course provides a historical overview of photography, from
the invention of the photographic process, to the evolution of the
medium, to the role of the image in contemporary art and design.
You’ll gain an introduction to the styles and achievements of
important photographers, and be provided the tools to understand
the context of their work as well as their influence on society.
PHO 105 PHOTO SETUP
3 credits
Focus on the planning and preparation that lead to the successful
execution of a photo shoot. Develop a thorough understanding
of different types of lighting, both natural and artificial. Learn the
limitations and advantages of varied shooting conditions, and
explore methods to effectively stage and style photographs to
achieve your desired effect.
PHO 106 PHOTO RETOUCHING
1.5 credits
Learn techniques for removing, correcting and manipulating
photographic flubs or flaws using Photoshop. You will explore
professional selection techniques, and how to clone, patch, and heal
problem areas, and adjust colors and tones to create a seamless
and professional quality product. The course examines image
correction and enhancement scenarios a designer or photographer
might typically encounter.
PHO 152 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY II
3 credits
Take your digital photography artistry to a higher level. Advanced
photography techniques and approaches to composition, learning
how to correct images using Photoshop and print high-quality
images. The emphasis of the class is developing a solid technical
understanding of the medium and identifying one’s individual
expressive vision. Advanced projects explore experimental
methods for enhancing photographs with digital effects.
PHO 204 COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY I
3 credits
Turn your creativity into a career by using photography as a
communication tool in commercial and advertising scenarios. In
this survey course, you will explore the equipment and techniques
used for professional photography work in portraiture, product
photography, real estate, and more. You will also learn how to
represent yourself professionally and build your online presence.
PHO 206 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LIGHTROOM 3 credits
Learn how to manage, develop, print, and present your shots more
efficiently with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Discover how to
collect and catalog your images with ease, use basic and advanced
development and retouching tools to create stellar shots, and
present your work in slideshows, on the Web, and in print. The
course will challenge you to take your shots to the next level of
organization, quality, and presentation.
PHO 207 COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY II
3 credits
Explore and practice advanced techniques for developing your
skills and presence as a commercial photographer. Make images
that accomplish specific objectives, with a focus on location-based
event photography for weddings, night life, and fashion. Finally,
you’ll learn about photography products, including prints, books,
and more.
PHO 208 COLOR CORRECTION
3 credits
Learn how to achieve an effective color balance in your Photoshop
images and optimize them for print output. Students explore
professional techniques for working with scanned, film, and digital
source material, learn how to control, correct, and enhance the color
palette of digital images for print media. Course projects emphasize
developing a technical knowledge and an artistic understanding of
color calibration for professional-quality digital imaging.
PHO 214 NARRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
Explore the use of an editorial approach to photography in order
to tell stories with images. Throughout the course you will use
conceptualism in conjunction with documentary photography
approaches to build photo essays and other narrative projects.
Learn how to research, pitch, shoot, edit and present a body of work
that encompasses unifying themes.with scanned, film, and digital
source material, learn how to control, correct, and enhance the color
palette of digital images for print media. Course projects emphasize
developing a technical knowledge and an artistic understanding of
color calibration for professional-quality digital imaging.
PHO 259 CAPSTONE PROJECT
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
2 credits
The course provides students the opportunity to complete a
multidimensional digital photography project in three stages,
working closely with a faculty member. The project will challenge
students to demonstrate their proficiency key aspects of the Digital
Photography program. The project will require research, concept
development, and critical thinking, providing students with the
opportunity to explore a professional, iterative process as well as
experience simulated client interactions.
PHO 260 PORTFOLIO REVIEW –
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
1 credit
The course provides students the opportunity to gather and develop
a portfolio of work and present it to faculty for feedback. Faculty
feedback will help students identify specific works or subject
areas that need improvement. The class structure provides the
ability to revise a portfolio for a final presentation, during which
students present both their final work and a professional summary
of their capabilities. The class not only helps students understand
the strengths of their portfolio from a real-world perspective,
it also provides experience in developing and presenting their
portfolio that will be useful to their future development as creative
professionals.
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ABOUT STUDENT
SERVICES
Our Student Services team is available to work with you from enrollment
through graduation. You can contact them with any questions regarding
your program: orientation, course access, academic questions, technical
help, transcripts, and more. If a specific advisor is not available, any other
Student Services team member should be able to assist you.
Our student advisors are qualified designers as well as student services
professionals. While they do not teach classes or grade student work,
they are trained to assist students with any general questions and resolve
issues in that occur during a program. Student advisors can be reached
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. You can contact Student
Services by email at advisor@sessions.edu or by phone at 1-800-258-
4115, extension 2 (from the U.S.) or 480-212-1704, option 2.
Tyler Drake, Manager of Student
Services
tyler@sessons.edu
Jared Elizares, Senior Student
Advisor
jared@sessons.edu
Erik Puga, Student Advisor
erik@sessons.edu
Sessions College courses and programs do not replace elementary, high
school or equivalent compulsory education. Sessions does not provide
job placement assistance to students; it is understood that the school
cannot and does not promise or guarantee employment to any student or
graduate.
PROGRAM ORIENTATION
Once students complete registration, they are enrolled into an online
Orientation class. To get the most out of your classes, you must complete
Orientation by the end of the week before the start of term. In order to
complete Orientation, you must:
1. Create a student profile.
2. Complete an advisor interview.
3. Get familiar with the Sessions learning environment.
4. Confirm your program schedule with your student advisor.
5. Participate in the group chat (recommended).
STUDENT RECORDS
Sessions students can request a record of their academic progress at
any time from Student Services. Vocational program students receive a
monthly progress report that includes courses enrolled, course access
dates, course completion dates, assignments graded, overall grade, and
current status. Degree program students receive a grade report upon
completion of each term.
TRANSCRIPTS
Sessions College maintains student academic records indefinitely. In
order to receive a transcript, a student must have no outstanding financial
obligations to Sessions College. Official transcripts cost $10 for one
copy, $20 for three copies, and $30 for five copies. An order of 6 or more
copies will cost $5 each. Payment can be made by credit card. Unofficial
transcripts are delivered by email free of charge. Transcripts must be
requested from the Bursar at bursar@sessions.edu.
STUDENT WORK
Sessions students can access a record of all artwork submitted in
the Canvas learning environment at their Files page. The Files page
automatically displays a graphical representation with links to all submitted
posted in the learning environment. Files uploads can be browsed, sorted,
and exported into e-Portfolio pages.
EXHIBITION OF WORK
Student work posted in the online classes may be nominated by instructors
for the online Sessions Student Gallery. Nominations for the Sessions
Student Gallery are evaluated by the Education Department and the
gallery is updated once a month. Gallery selections are based on many
factors, and not all work that is submitted can be included. Sessions also
reserves the right to publish excellent student work posted in the school
learning environment in its promotional materials, including catalog,
handbook, and Web site. Sessions does not own the original work and will
not use the work for any other purposes than those outlined above.
PRIVACY POLICY
GENERAL INFORMATION
STUDENT SERVICES
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Under the provisions of the federal law known as the Family Education
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), eligible students, or where
applicable, the parents of the students, are afforded certain rights
pertaining to academic records and personally identifiable information
on file with Sessions. An eligible student is defined as any person who
is currently enrolled or has been enrolled in the institution’s programs. It
is the policy of Sessions to treat all student information, both personal
and academic, as strictly confidential. Student information will only be
released after appropriate written permission has been obtained.
CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION
During your program, if you move house, or change your email address or
telephone number, it is your responsibility to make sure Sessions staff have
your updated information. Failure to update your contact information could
affect your financial aid payments, delivery of transcripts or diplomas, and
more. To update your information, contact Student Services by email at
advisor@sessions.edu.
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Graduation announcements are posted in the school’s Campus News blog.
Associate Degree and Undergraduate Certificate graduations are announced
within 30 days of the end of semester. Vocational certificate graduations
(Professional and Advanced Certificate) are posted once a month.
DIPLOMAS
Graduation notices and events will occur at the end of the month following
the end of a semester. Diplomas are printed and shipped via First-Class
Mail on a monthly basis. Students who complete their program on or
before their scheduled end date will receive their diploma within 30 days
of their completion. International students should anticipate slightly later
arrivals due to long-distance mailing. In order to receive a diploma, a
student must have resolved all financial obligations to Sessions College
for Professional Design. The first diploma for a graduating student is
issued at no charge. Replacement or additional copies of a diploma are
available at a cost of $10 per copy, and must be requested from the Bursar
at bursar@sessions.edu.
CERTIFICATES
Certificates for vocational programs are printed and shipped via first
class mail on a monthly basis. Students who complete their program
on or before their scheduled end date will receive their certificate within
30 days of their completion. International students should anticipate
slightly later arrivals due to long-distance mailing. The first certificate for
a graduating student is issued at no charge. Replacement or additional
copies of a certificate are available at a cost of $10 per copy, and must
be requested from the Bursar at bursar@sessions.edu.
STUDENT CODE OF
CONDUCT
BEHAVIOR AND CODE OF CONDUCT
In the pursuit of their educational goals, Sessions College students have
certain responsibilities toward their fellow students, to their school, and
to themselves. To fulfill these responsibilities, students are expected to
adhere to the following items in the DEAC Student Code of Conduct. I will:
•
Conduct myself with professionalism, courtesy and respect for
others in all of my dealings with the institution staff, faculty, and other
students.
•
Present my qualifications and background truthfully and accurately
for admission to the institution.
•
Observe the institutional policies and rules on submitting work, taking
examinations, participating in online discussions and conducting
research.
•
Never turn in work that is not my own, or present another person’s
ideas or scholarship as my own.
•
Never ask for, receive, or give unauthorized help on graded
assignments, quizzes, and examinations.
•
Never misrepresent or overstate my role producing a part or whole of
a submitted assignment or other artwork.
•
Never divulge the content of or answers to quizzes or examinations
to fellow students.
•
Never improperly use, destroy, forge, or alter my institution’s
documents, transcripts, or other records.
•
Never divulge my student login information or password.
•
Always observe the recommended study schedule for my program
of studies.
•
Always report any violations of this Code of Conduct to the
appropriate institution official, and report any evidence of cheating,
plagiarism or improper conduct on the part of any student of
the institution when I have direct knowledge of these activities.
STUDENT IDENTITY VERIFICATION
Sessions College establishes the identity of each program student upon
registration by collecting identifying data that includes name, address,
telephone number, date of birth, and social security number, and official
documents that can range from high school or college transcripts, to ISIR
and financial aid verification. Students are issued unique passwords for
entry to the online learning environment so that school administrators can
track IP addresses and login patterns at any time. Student identification
information is private and confidential and not shared with third parties.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND DISMISSAL
Sessions College students are expected to behave with respect toward
their instructors and fellow students. Every individual has the right to be
treated with respect in the school learning environment. Individuals who
breach this code of behavior may be subject to disciplinary action up to
and including dismissal.
•
Plagiarism. Students may not copy another student or artist’s work
(whether the work is an essay, a piece of visual artwork, or a page of
code) without attribution.
•
Obscenity. Students may not post or send obscene material within the
learning environment. The judgment as to whether posted material is
offensive and needs to be removed will be made by school faculty
and administrators.
•
Harassment. Students will not engage in verbal hazing and/or make
derogatory remarks degrading an individual’s gender, race, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation, or disabled status.
•
Email spamming. Students will not engage in any mass emailing of
other students for any purpose, whether promotional or informational.
•
Privacy infringements. Students will not share any private student
information with third parties.
Committing any of the above actions may subject the student to disciplinary
action. A student who violates the Enrollment Agreement or the Behavior
and Conduct Policy will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action,
which may include: Written or verbal warning, suspension from a course
or program, or dismissal from Sessions College.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION APPEALS
PROCESS
Any student may appeal a disciplinary action, including dismissal from the
College, by submitting a written appeal letter explaining any mitigating
circumstances that led to the disciplinary action and/or any evidence that
contradicts the disciplinary action. Appeals must be in writing and sent to
the attention of the Appeals Committee at appeals@sessions.edu within
15 days of notification of disciplinary action. The College will review the
appeal promptly. If the appeal is successful, the disciplinary action will be
removed or reduced, as appropriate. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the
disciplinary action is final and will stand.
STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Students who feel they have been treated unfairly relating to some aspect
of school policy or procedure may register a formal complaint with school
administration.
Before registering a formal complaint, students are encouraged to make
every effort to resolve the problem directly through constructive dialogue
with their instructor, advisor, or other individual(s) involved.
If a student wishes to register a complaint, he or she may use the following
procedure:
Step 1: The student shall submit a written summary of the complaint to
advisor@sessions.edu. Complaints must be filed within 3 months of
cause of grievance.
Step 2: A Student Services representative will be assigned to the complaint
and gather relevant data from student records, the learning environment,
and third parties such as the instructor or other students if necessary.
Step 3: The Academic Programs Manager will review the complaint and
provide a written resolution to the student within 15 days.
Step 4: A student who wishes to appeal the Academic Programs Manager’s
decision may present an appeal to the school CEO within 7 days. The
CEO will review the appeal and render a final decision to the student within
15 days.
FILING OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS
Individuals who have exhausted institutional grievance procedures and
wish to file a complaint with appropriate authorities may do so at the
following Web pages:
•
Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education:
https://ppse.az.gov/complaint
•
DEAC: http://www.deac.org/Discover-DEAC/Contact-Us.aspx
•
Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools:
http://www.msa-cess.org
FACULTY CONFLICT OF INTEREST
As an educational institution, Sessions College has a firm policy on
preventing faculty conflict of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when
a faculty member’s outside interests or commitments unduly affect his
or her performance as faculty member. Any student or staff member
who believes there is a faculty conflict of interest may provide a written
summary of the complaint to advisor@sessions.edu. The complaint
will be resolved using the same institutional process as our student
grievance procedure.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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GENERAL INFORMATION
ACADEMIC POLICIES
DEGREE
ADMISSIONS
Students can enter Associate Degree and Undergraduate Certificate
programs in January, May, and September. Applicants are responsible
for ensuring that Sessions College has received all required elements by
the application deadline.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE
The following is a detailed list of appiication requirements:
1. Complete an online application.
2. Provide official transcripts. a. Candidates who have not graduated
from college must provide official high school transcripts. b.
Candidates who have attended college must provide official
transcripts from each college/university attended.
3. Write a 500-word essay expressing why you are interested in
studying your chosen major - graphic design, Web design, digital
media, illustration, or advertising design. Essays will be evaluated
for style and content as well as grammar, vocabulary, punctuation,
and spelling.
4. Upload 5-10 samples of art or design work or complete an alternate
project (available on request).
5. SAT or ACT scores are optional.*
6. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide
evidence of a valid, minimum score of 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT) on
the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.0 on the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
7. Pay an application fee of $50.
Note: Any transcripts not created in English (such as at non-U.S.
institutions) must be translated by a competent third party service at the
applicant’s expense. The applicant must provide both the transcript and
the translation.
* The application can be optionally supported by providing SAT
scores or ACT scores and/or letters of recommendation. Letters of
recommendation may be emailed to admissions@sessions.edu or mailed
to the Main Campus (see page 32 for address). Codes for submitting
SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS scores:
SAT: Code 6356
ACT: Code 5344
TOEFL: Code 6346
IELTS: No code required
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE
Classes start in January, May, and September. The Undergraduate
Certificate Students entering the program are expected to have earned
a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent.
Any students under 18 years of age will need to provide the signed
permission of a parent or guardian. Our online application is simple and
convenient.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Sessions College is in compliance with all requirements imposed by
or pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The institution does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, or national origin in its
activities, programs, or employment policies, in accordance with Federal,
State, and local laws.
CREDIT TRANSFER
CREDIT TRANSFER POLICY
Sessions College for Professional Design welcomes students who wish
to transfer credit from other accredited institutions including students who
wish to complete degrees begun elsewhere. Credit will only be accepted
for courses that are comparable in level and focus to Sessions degree
program courses.
•
Credits will be accepted for college-level courses from nationally
or regionally accredited schools and colleges. Courses transferred
must be comparable in level and focus to Sessions degree program
courses and will be evaluated on an individual basis.
•
Students seeking to transfer credits must have earned a “C” grade
(GPA 2.0) or higher.
•
Students can transfer a maximum of 50% of credits (36 credits) to a
Sessions College 72-credit Associate degree program.
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•
Students can transfer a maximum of 12 credits to the
Undergraduate Certificate.
•
Students requesting credit transfer must submit official college
transcripts prior to the registration deadline.
•
Students who received a score of 3 or above on high school AP
English, Art History, or Psychology exams may receive credit for
specific general education requirements. CLEP scores in English
and Psychology may also be considered for credit. Official AP
and/or CLEP scores must be submitted to Sessions prior to the
registration deadline.
•
Sessions College Vocational certificate program graduates may be
able to transfer to the Associate Degree credits for courses in which
their work and grades are strong. See Sessions Certificate/AOS
Bridge program.
All credit transfer requests will be evaluated on an individual basis. All
Sessions College credit transfer decisions will be at the discretion of the
AOS Program Acceptance Committee and made prior to enrollment.
SESSIONS CERTIFICATE TO
OCCUPATIONAL STUDIES (AOS) BRIDGE
PROGRAM
The Sessions College Certificate/AOS bridge program rewards academic
achievement among our non-credit certificate students. Professional
certificate program graduates can apply up to 21 credits towards courses
in the Associate of Occupational Studies degree program. In order to be
eligible, you need to be a Sessions College non-credit certificate program
graduate who enrolled after May 1, 2009. Your grades and portfolio of
work must be outstanding and meet the standards expected of degree
level students. Applications will be evaluated on an individual basis.
MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS
Sessions College pledges to use military-friendly policies and practices
and provide easy access to information about programs, policies, and
procedures. Sessions College also supports the credit transfer policies
defined by the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and the
SOC Military Student Bill of Rights. This institution will inquire about
each veteran or veteran benefits eligible person’s previous education
and training, and request transcripts from all prior institutions, including
military training, traditional college coursework and vocational training.
CREDIT TRANSFER TO OTHER
INSTITUTIONS
The policy of Sessions College is to accept credit for applicable college-
level courses from nationally or regionally accredited schools and colleges.
The acceptance of credits earned at other institutions is determined by the
receiving institution. It is recommended that students intending to transfer
credits to other schools check with the receiving institution(s).
FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID
Federal Student Aid is available to eligible students for all Associate
Degree and Undergraduate Certificate programs. Eligible students may
be able to use Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, or Federal Direct PLUS
Loans to support their education costs. Our friendly and knowledgable
Financial Aid staff are available during business hours to discuss ways of
financing your education, which include institutional payment plans amd
scholarships in addition to Federal programs.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Students must make financial arrangements with the Financial Aid Office
in regards to completion of the FAFSA application, scholarships, tuition
payment, or payment plan prior to enrolling. All enrolling students are
provided copies of the Sessions College catalog containing all policies
on academic progress and attendance, which they are required to read
and understand before signing an enrollment agreement confirming their
enrollment.
FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY
All students who wish to apply for Federal Financial Aid must complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid and have a current ISIR to begin
the eligibility process.
To be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid, you must:
•
Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program
•
Not be enrolled simultaneously in secondary school
•
Have a valid social security number
•
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
•
Be registered with Selective Service, if required
•
Certify on the FAFSA that you are not in default on Federal student
loan, do not owe a refund on a Federal grant, and will use Federal
student aid only for educational purposes.
•
Have not obtained loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate
loan limits
•
Meet one of the following academic criteria:
•
Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent
•
Have met the requirements of the State for a home schooled student
•
Not have been convicted of an offense involving the possession or
sale of illegal drugs that occurred while the student was enrolled and
receiving Title IV aid.
•
Meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in an enrolled program.
ACADEMICS
CREDIT HOUR DEFINITION
Program credit hours are consistent with the Carnegie Unit in which a
semester credit hour is based on “one hour of classroom or direct faculty
instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each
week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or trimester hour of
credit . . . or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.”
This definition is consistent with the definition of the credit hour under
34 CFR 600.2 issued in the Federal Program Integrity Final Regulations
published on October 29, 2010.
ACADEMIC MODEL
In Sessions College degree programs, the assessment of skills, knowledge,
and abilities is formal and continuous. The main focus of the program is on
helping students attain technical and creative skills in art/design courses.
A secondary important focus is on meeting analytical, communicative,
and quantitative skill objectives in general education courses.
Throughout the programs, student learning is primarily assessed through
the evaluation of practical exercises. Practical exercises account for 80%
of the grade in each course. Student participation in scheduled activities,
such as discussions and critiques, is also an important factor. Participation
accounts for 20% of the grade in each course. (See Attendance Policy)
•
Lectures. In each course, students are expected to learn new
topics presented in lectures that are scheduled on alternate weeks.
Course lectures are graphical Web pages packed with images and
illustrations, and supported as needed by video tutorials and reading
assignments from an online library.
•
Discussions. Following each lecture, students are asked to complete
a scheduled discussion designed to develop their creative, critiquing,
or research skills in relation to that week’s topics. Each student is
expected to post their own response to the assignment and comment
on the work of two other students. Instructors facilitate discussions
and provide a participation grade for each student based on the
program’s criteria for effective participation.
•
Exercises. In the week following each lecture, students are required
to complete an exercise that they submit their instructor in an online
Dropbox for grading and feedback. Depending on the course, course
exercises can range from digital imaging to Web page layouts,
drawing, animation, and written essays, and more. Each exercise is
designed to test the achievement of course and program objectives
and contains specific instructions, performance objectives, and
grading criteria. Instructors will provide grades and detailed critiques
for each exercise within a week. Students may revise assignments
based on instructor feedback and resubmit them for further evaluation.
•
Critiques. Critiques are scheduled activities delivered at the midpoint
and endpoint of each semester-long course. In a critique, students
are expected to present an assignment they have completed in the
course so far and present it to the class for feedback. In addition to
presenting their own work, students are expected to comment on the
posts of two other students.
•
Exams. In General Education courses (Associate degree program) a
proctored Final Exam requires students to complete a test that combines
a written essay and a multiple choice test under timed conditions.
These tests are subsequently reviewed and graded by the instructor.
ACADEMIC LOAD
Students in degree programs generally enroll on a full-time basis, earning
a minimum of 12 credits in each semester. Students who wish to pursue
an accelerated schedule may request permission to take up to 18 credits
per semester.
Part-time schedules are available for students with busy work
commitments. Part-time programs are completed over a longer time
frame. Per-credit tuition is higher for part-time programs and tuition must
be paid by semester.
•
Three-quarter time (3/4) students take 9 credits a semester and
complete in under 3 years.
•
Half time (1/2) students take 6 credits a semester and complete in 4
years.
Students wishing to change their status from full-time to part-time or from
part-time to full-time will be assessed a status change fee of $150.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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ELECTIVE COURSES
One three-credit elective is available to all degree students. See program
specifics for course options available for each major. The elective course
may be selected at time of enrollment or no later than the semester prior
to the elective course. Students may contact their student advisor to make
or change their selection.
ADD/DROP
Add/drop period occurs during the first five days of the semester. During
this period, students may add or drop classes, subject to advisor approval,
without academic or financial penalty. No new student will be admitted
after the add/drop period.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The program is delivered in 15-week semesters. In each week of the
semester, you are expected to complete a scheduled academic assignment
in each class – completing an exercise, discussion, or a critique – by the
end of the week. The school week runs from Saturday morning to midnight
on Friday. Each of these activities will be graded by your instructor; and
discussion and exercise grades will be provided within a week.
All students can acess a detailed schedule of assignment due dates in their
onlne courses at the beginning of each semester. Weekly participation in
class assignments is essential to maintaining good academic standing.
Unless special permission is granted by Student Services, any student
who fails to submit scheduled assignments for three consecutive weeks
will be considered an unofficial withdrawal and removed from the class.
An unofficial withdrawal results in a grade of AF (Administrative Failure)
for the class.
GRADING POLICY
In the degree program, grades are based on the faculty evaluation of
assignments that include practical exercises, exams, discussions, and
critiques. In each course, 80% of a student’s overall grade is based
on the evaluation of exercises and exams, and 20% on participation in
discussions and critiques.
Exercises
80%
Discussions and Critiques
20%
Course exercises are evaluated on 1-100 scale by the end of day Friday
following a student assignment deadline. Instructors base their grades
on criteria published in each course exercise. Exercises submitted late
maybe subject to a grade penalty.
Discussions and critiques are moderated by instructors during the course,
with participation grades at the end of each week. Discussions and
critiques submitted late will not be graded. Course work is assessed using
an A - F grading system, where A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Satisfactory,
D = Marginal, F = Failing.
A+
97-100
A
93-96
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D
65-69
F
64 or less
Resubmission policy: Students who earn a failing grade for a completed
assignment (64 or less) will be allowed a maximum of two resubmissions
of the assignment in order to pass. Students who wish to resubmit a
revision of a passing assignment are encouraged to do so.
CALCULATION OF GPA
Grade point average is calculated by the total number of grade points
earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted.
A+
4.0
C+
2.3
A+
4.0
C
2.0
A-
3.7
C-
1.7
B+
3.3
D
1.0
B
3.0
F
0
B-
2.7
Transferred and incomplete courses do not count towards GPA. When a
failed course is repeated and passed, the passed course grade counts
toward the GPA.
PROCTORED ASSESSMENTS
In the Associate Degree program, six general education courses
contain final exams to be overseen by live proctors. Two exams in the
Undergraduate Certificate have the same requirement. Online proctors
are provided by ProctorU (www.proctoru.com/sessions) for a fee of
$22.50 per exam. The Design Business and Portfolio Review classes
each have a live event proctored by Sessions College faculty. Complete
details regarding scheduling and completion of proctored assessments
are provided in the Orientation class and in each class that has a
proctored assessment.
SATISFACTORY
ACADEMIC PROGRESS
All students in degree programs, full-time or part-time, must meet the
college’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards. The school’s
SAP policy for Title IV, HEA students is the same as the school’s standards
for students enrolled in the same educational programs who are not
receiving Title IV, HEA funding.
Satisfactory academic progress is determined by cumulative grade point
average (GPA) and progress made through the program. Satisfactory
academic progress is evaluated at the end of every semester. All students
must meet the following requirements for satisfactory academic progress:
•
Achieve a GPA of 1.5 or higher in the first semester and a cumulative
GPA of 2.0 for all subsequent semesters.
•
Complete at least 50% of all credit hours attempted each semester up
to the program midpoint.
•
Complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted each semester
from program midpoint to graduation.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Credit
hours
attempted
Minimum
cumulative
GPA
Minimum
credit hour
completion
rate
Maximum time to
complete program
0-12
1.5
50%
150% of
published program
length
12.5-36
2.0
50%
36.5-72
2.0
67%
All transfer credits that apply toward a student’s current program will be
counted as both hours attempted and hours completed. Undergraduate
Certificate students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA during the first 1-12
credits attempted.
Calculation of GPA. Grade point average in degree courses is calculated
by the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of
credit hours attempted (please see calculation of GPA).
Non-passing grades are figured into satisfactory academic progress in the
following ways:
•
Withdrawal (W): Not calculated in a student’s GPA, but counted
towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If
the course is retaken, only the new grade will be calculated in the
student’s cumulative GPA, but both attempts will be counted towards
a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
•
Administrative failure (AF): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted
towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the
course is retaken, both the AF and the new grade will be calculated
in the student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted
towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
•
Failure (F): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted towards a
student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course
is retaken, both the F and the new grade will be calculated in the
student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted towards
a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
Students may enroll in any incomplete, withdrawn, or failed course the
following term. Students who are dismissed from the program may re-
apply to Sessions following the standard admissions process and are not
guaranteed admission.
If a student receives a passing grade (D grade or better) and the student
retakes the course to obtain a better grade, that course can be counted for
the enrollment period. However, a student may only take one repetition of
a previously passed course or any repetition of a previously passed course
due to the student failing other coursework and still receive Title IV aid.
ACADEMIC WARNING
A student who fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress will receive
a notice of academic warning. Any student receiving an academic warning
is expected to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at
the end of the next semester. A student who does not meet satisfactory
academic progress requirements at the end of the semester may face
dismissal from the College.
Any student on Financial Aid Warning may continue to receive assistance
under the Title IV, HEA programs for one semester only. If the student
does not meet SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning period; he or
she will lose Title IV, HEA eligibility; with the right to appeal.
The student will be placed on an Academic Development Status, with a
loss of Title IV, HEA funding and will be required to meet specific criteria
of an improvement plan to assist them in regaining SAP and Title IV, HEA
eligibility.
During this period the students will not be eligible to receive Title IV, HEA
funds but he/she may continue on a cash-pay basis with an approved
institutional payment plan. Arrangements for payment must be approved
within 10 school days of notification of development status.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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