Revisions to the Catalog
This catalog addendum contains new and updated information, as well as corrections of errors in the original catalog. The updates listed in this addendum apply to the 2024-2025 catalog:
New Policies as of 02/23/2025
-Academic Policies & Procedures-
Attendance
AMDA’s attendance policies are directly related to performing arts professional standards and in-line with industry expectations.
Within the performing arts industry, any missed rehearsal or performance can affect the artist’s reputation, salary, and/or ability to procure future work. Likewise, a student’s development is critically dependent on attendance and class participation; this includes a student’s responsibility to and impact on partners and/or ensemble castmates/classmates.
AMDA students are expected to attend all synchronous classes according to their class schedule. Missing class has a direct impact on student performance and class structure. Students are responsible for monitoring their own absences and understanding the impact each absence may have on their grade. When class is missed, the student remains accountable for the missed coursework and being fully prepared by the next class session.
The course syllabus outlines exact hours and class meetings required per course. Courses may require a higher attendance standard based on curricula. Attendance and punctuality standards are stated in each course syllabus.
Students are expected to attend and complete all courses for the entire semester to receive the full amount of federal funds, also known as Title IV funds. When a student withdraws from or stops attending a course, officially or unofficially, the student may no longer qualify for the full amount of federal funds originally awarded. Students receiving financial aid are subject to a federal audit of attendance.
Absences may delay or nullify Title IV funds and other financial aid. Information on weekly attendance as it relates to prorated funding can be found in the Refund Policies and Procedures section under Costs & Financial Aid.
International students may be subject to more specific attendance standards based on Student and Exchange Visitor Information System requirements.
For more information on changes to the catalog, please see the Rights to Change Requirements disclaimer in the Statements of Compliance section.
Class Absence and Grade Impact
AMDA In-Class Participation Requirements
All AMDA in-person courses require regular in-class engagement to successfully meet learning outcomes. Absences totaling 30% or more of a course’s class sessions for a semester, as recorded and reported by the instructor, will result in a grade of Withdraw-Fail (WF) for that course. Students who reach “WF” due to the number of absences are no longer permitted to continue attending the class.
As such, the maximum number of absences* is as follows:
Class meets 1x wk = 4 maximum absences, the 5th absence, regardless of other grading criteria, will result in course failure**
Class meets 2x wk = 9 maximum absences, the 10th absence, regardless of other grading criteria, will result in course failure
Class meets 3x wk = 13 maximum absences, the 14th absence, regardless of other grading criteria, will result in course failure
*Classes that are not on a 15-week schedule for any reason will still follow the 30% or more policy.
**Regarding asynchronous/hybrid General Education and Online Programs: Absence policy for all asynchronous/hybrid GE classes will align with classes that meet 1x week.
Grading Relief and Absences
All absences, regardless of reason, initially result in zero (0) participation points for the missed class. However, in many circumstances, students have an opportunity to regain unearned participation points caused by absences; this is referred to as Grading Relief. Grading Relief has no connection, impact, or influence on the maximum number of allowable absences as specified above regarding in-class participation requirements. Grading Relief policies are housed within course syllabi, including amounts of absences eligible for Grading Relief.
Other circumstances listed below (included within the 30% absence limit) may be considered for an extended amount of Grading Relief opportunities. Communication must occur within 7 days of the absence.
For extended Grading Relief requests due to bereavement or hospitalization, please use the Bereavement and Hospitalization Grade Relief Request Form.
For extended Grading Relief requests due to religious observance, please make this request as part of a standard Request for Religious Accommodation per AMDA’s Religious Accommodation Policy.
For extended Grading Relief requests due to disability, please make this request as part of a standard Disability Accommodation Request per AMDA’s Disability Accommodation Policy.
Active United States Military Duty
For students that are on Active United States Military Duty at any point in their enrollment, please use the Active Military Service Notification form to notify the school of any absences related to your service prior to your service dates. We will work with all students regarding opportunities to earn full grading relief for any absence related to military service should this form be received prior to the dates of service. Absences accrued due to military service, with prior notification, do not apply to the 30% maximum absence limit.
Earned Course Grade & Absences
Maximum course absences are separate from an earned course grade. Accumulated absences which impede a student’s ability to complete necessary course requirements, regardless of reaching maximum allowed or not, may result in the need to withdraw from a course and/or in earning a grade that results in course failure.
Participation Affected by Injury or Prolonged Illness
Students who cannot fully participate in class due to injury or prolonged illness should speak to their instructors directly about modification requests. During that time, the student is required to attend and participate to the student’s maximum ability without risking additional harm. If a student must modify their participation beyond a two-week maximum, student must submit medical documentation to Student Affairs. Any injury or illness that prevents a student from fully participating in classwork beyond a two-week period will require further review and assessment by Academic Affairs and/or the Disability Resource Center. If an acceptable and reasonable accommodation cannot be found, the student may be required to withdraw from the affected course(s). Course substitutions may be considered in subsequent semesters.
Punctuality
Students must be on time to every class. Late arrival may result in a posted absence or grade impact. Students should arrive several minutes early to warm up and be prepared for class. Punctuality standards are outlined in each course syllabus.
Leaving Class
It is at the instructor’s discretion to establish the guidelines for class breaks or individual exit and return during class.
A student who walks out of class in a fashion contrary to what the instructor has established as policy may be dismissed from class and would incur a recorded absence.
Instructor Delay
If an instructor is delayed in starting class, students are to remain in class and be prepared to work. If an instructor is delayed more than 20 minutes after a published class start time, students are permitted to leave the class. It is requested that a student from the class notify Reception or the Office of the Registrar of the faculty absence.
Makeup Classes
In the event of an instructor’s absence, makeup classes will strive to be scheduled around students’ class schedules. Students are expected to make every effort to attend makeup classes. However, if a student has a conflict with the makeup class, the student must inform the instructor at least 24 hours before the class occurs. If the student notifies the instructor after the deadline, the student will be responsible for the impact of the class absence on their final course grade. Should a regularly scheduled class occur at the same time as a makeup class, the student’s first obligation is to attend their regularly scheduled class. Individual voice or vocal coaching classes are considered part of a student’s regular class schedule and must be attended.
Online Education
The importance of online course attendance is no different from in-person courses. Student “attendance” in both synchronous and asynchronous online courses is defined as active participation in the course as described in the course syllabus, and completion of all weekly assignments posted on the learning management system (Canvas). Frequent log-ins to Canvas are required to meet the weekly module expectations. Examples of such activity include, but are not limited to, contributing to an online discussion or text chat session, submitting an assignment or working draft (including video recordings of rehearsals and performance work), working through exercises, taking a quiz or exam, viewing and/or completing a tutorial and initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a course-related question.
Midterm and Final Exams/Demonstrations
Evaluation of student work is a critical part of the training at AMDA. Midterms, final exams and demonstrations are typically held for each course. Midterm exams and demonstrations occur during the midpoint of each semester, final exams and demonstrations occur at the end of each semester. Missed midterms, final exams or demonstrations will not be rescheduled. Students are required to attend each scheduled final demonstration and be available until 6:00 p.m. on the last day of the semester.
Attendance Policy Appeals
Should a student want to appeal a WF grade received due to the absence policy, they can submit an Absence Policy Appeal Form to the Office of the Registrar. All appeals requests must be received within 5 business days of the WF grade received.
-Grading Policies-
Failing Grade and Retake Policy
AOS and Conservatory Program students earning a final grade of “F” (Fail) or “WF” (Withdraw Fail) in a core course in their program of study may be ineligible to progress to the next semester as the curriculum is designed to take courses sequentially. Students are required to repeat failed courses in the subsequent semester, pending course scheduling availability. Charges and fees related to the course(s) that a student is required to retake are the responsibility of the student. Charges are reflected on the billing statement for the semester after the term in which the student failed the course(s), regardless of the semester in which the student is scheduled to retake the course(s). Questions concerning charges and fees should be directed to the Student Accounts department. All courses must be successfully fulfilled to complete the program.
Bachelor Program students who fail a course not designated as a core requirement may choose an alternate course toward degree progress. Only courses that are an exact repeat of the course failed will be eligible for Failed Grade Replacement. Students are recommended to meet with the Office of the Registrar for guidance through the course selection process.
Graduate program students who fail a course may choose an approved applicable alternate course toward degree progress or retake the course the next semester it is offered. This may affect timely program completion.
Course Withdrawal: Bachelor’s and Master Degree Programs
Bachelor and Master Degree Program students who opt to withdraw from a course within the second to 11th week of the semester will have a “W” (Withdrawal) posted on their official record. A “W” does not affect the student’s GPA but is calculated as attempted credits in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation. After week 11, students will be unable to Withdraw from the course and will receive the grade earned.