For a complete description of AnimSchool Policies and Procedures, download the AnimSchool 2010-2011 Catalog here.
Welcome to AnimSchool!
We are the online school for the broader world of 3D Animation! We have the policies below in place to ensure students get the best education!
AnimSchool is registered and compliant with the Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act (Title 13, Chapter 34, Utah Code).
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO AnimSchool
To apply for AnimSchool, prospective students need to (1) be 18 years or older the first week of class, (2) have a High School diploma, a G.E.D., or its foreign equivalent, (3) have basic computer skills on Windows or Mac.
In addition, if students do not have a working knowledge of Autodesk Maya or Softimage, or an equivalent 3D Software program, they need to become very familiar with the software before their first term begins. Note: these classes are not part of the regular curriculum, but are offered to help new applicants who need basic orientation on how to use the 3D software. They may not be taught by the regular AnimSchool faculty.
EXPRESS CLASSES: Take a single Masterclass at AnimSchool
Many animators, modelers or riggers need only to take a few intermediate or advanced courses to supplement their education obtained at other schools. For them, taking an entire AnimSchool program isn't efficient or cost effective.
At AnimSchool, we offer the unique opportunity to directly apply to a particular class and teacher of your choice, to get just the leg up you need to open new doors.
The "Express" option allows students to take individual classes ala carte style to supplement their education at any point in their career. Students don't have to be accepted into a full AnimSchool program to apply but they must apply to the school, and agree to the terms of service. But Express students must be accepted into the class by that particular class teacher. The student submits their work to the teacher directly to be considered.
Classes cost more when taken ala carte as an Express class because there is an additional $125 fee to take any class Express. This is in place of the usual $125 school registration fee, but while the usual AnimSchool registration is a one-time fee, Express fees must be paid each time an Express class is taken.
Express students do not qualify for the AnimSchool educational discount software from Autodesk. Also, Express students may use AnimSchool character rigs and assets only while they are students; they eligible to continue using rigs for six months after the Express class is over.
Students taking a class Express does not preclude them from later enrolling in a full program.
To take a class "Express" click on the "Take A Single Class" link on the sidebar.
GRADING SYSTEM
Students are graded according to their performance for every graded assignment. Most weeks will have an assignment, but not every week's assignment will be graded. Often an in-progress multi-week assignment will be closely monitored and commented upon but not graded until completion.
The grading system is a U.S. standard A through F letter grade, with a C or higher course grade being required to continue to the next course. If a student fails to receive a C grade or higher, they will be required to retake that course or an equivalent, at their expense, to continue to the next course toward graduation.
|
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
F |
Numeric scale |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
0. 7 |
0 |
Percentage scale |
93-100 |
90-92 |
87-89 |
83-86 |
80-82 |
77-79 |
73-76 |
70-72 |
67-69 |
63-66 |
60-62 |
0-59 |
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate, a student must first be enrolled in the Animation or Character program and complete all required courses and the required number of elective classes, each with a C grade or higher.
In addition, students must abide by the standards of conduct and resolve any such issues, probation status, or non-payment status.
Upon graduation, students retain full access to the AnimSchool website, and the right to use all AnimSchool character rigs and all future AnimSchool characters as well.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Two times a year, AnimSchool will hold a graduation ceremony to honor the graduates completing the course of study during the past two terms. The venue and proceedings will be determined several months prior to the event, when the number of graduates are evident.
ENROLLMENT DENIAL
If a student is not admitted to a program after applying, they will receive a full refund of the application fee. Students may reapply the next term to be admitted, if desired.
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT
Prospective students should go to www.animschool.com and review the enrollment agreement during the enrollment process to apply.
WITHDRAWAL AND CANCELLATION
After registering for the school and paying the otherwise non-refundable $125 registration fee, students have three business days to change their mind and withdraw from the school. They are then eligible for a full refund of all fees and any tuition paid, including the otherwise non-refundable registration fee.
After the three day period, students may withdraw before the start of the first week of classes per term for a full refund, minus the non-refundable registration fee.
At any point in a term, students may withdraw for any reason and receive a pro-rated refund of tuition. The tuition portion returned is: tuition cost divided by 11 weeks, times number of weeks remaining in the term upon requesting the withdrawal, minus a $75 withdrawal fee. (This assumes additional class sessions were not attended after the withdrawal request). Registration or other fees will not be refunded. In addition, if students have accessed the download area for the Character rigs, an additional $500 withdrawal fee is applied to their account.
Withdrawal can be initiated by emailing the:
with a clear written request for withdrawal. Any cancellation or withdrawal refund payments will be issued within 30 days.
Students who withdraw from a program after the initial three-day period may not reapply to AnimSchool, except for Express classes.
CLASS CANCELLATION OR TEACHER SUBSTITUTION
The school may cancel a class when the number of students scheduled is too small, or the teacher withdraws for any reason. AnimSchool may also retain a class but substitute another teacher if a teacher withdraws before the start of the term or during a term.
Students will receive a recommendation for an alternative class.
CLASS SWITCHING
Students desiring to change classes to a different time slot and/or teacher may sign up for a different class at any point until the day before the second class session. (If the student misses the second class session of the new class as a result of any switch, they are not entitled to a refund.) If a different teacher has been substituted during that first week, students may switch to another class with an empty slot.
TEACHER ABSENCE
At times teachers may have a planned absence. They will find a qualified teacher and the class will continue as scheduled. Students may not request a refund or credit of any kind as a result of the teacher substitution.
UNPLANNED TEACHER ABSENCE
If a teacher does not attend a scheduled class due to any reason, intentional or unintentional, students are entitled to a rescheduled class substitution. The teacher or substitute teacher will make every effort to accommodate the students at the most convenient replacement time and day, however AnimSchool makes no guarantee that the substitution will in fact be at a particular time or day necessary for a student to participate. If a student is not able to attend the substitute class, they are not eligible for a corresponding fractional refund.
TEACHER WITHDRAWAL
On rare occasions, teachers may withdraw from teaching a class due to personal circumstances. In such circumstances, a suitable replacement teacher will be found to substitute for the remainder of the term. Students will not be eligible for a refund as a result of any such circumstance.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Admitted students may take a leave of absence for any reason, but only for three terms, consecutive or nonconsecutive. After that, non-participation will lead to automatic withdrawal as a registered student. (This applies to program students, not students taking Express classes only.)
Students may continue taking classes after such an automatic withdrawal, but only as Express classes. (Express class fees apply, and students will not then be eligible to use AnimSchool character rigs and future character rigs after any Express class ends)
To take a leave of absence, please email: studentadministrator@animschool.com
Students wishing to take an unexpected leave of absence during a term, and wanting to have remaining tuition refunded will need to obtain permission to do so. The student administrator will consider the student's personal circumstances and grant or deny the leave. If a leave is granted, the student will receive a refund for the weeks of class not attended after the leave of absence request was submitted. If a leave is not granted, the student may still receive a refund, but the non-participation will be considered a withdrawal from the school.
In the event of a leave of absence granted during a term, the in-progress letter grade for the class is removed from overall grade calculation. Also, upon reentry, the student must retake that course or its equivalent.
ASSIGNMENTS
Each week, students should submit their assignments three hours before their class is scheduled to begin. This gives the system enough time to upload and post the materials, so they will be available for the teacher and other students to review the work during class time. Assignments submitted after that time will be graded as late, which lowers it 2/3 of one full letter grade. For example, an assignment graded B after submitted late will receive a C+ grade.
USE OF AnimSchool CHARACTER RIGS, TOOLS, AND WEBSITE
Students may use AnimSchool character rigs and any assets only during the terms when they are students. Students who do not graduate from a program may not continue using AnimSchool character rigs and assets, from the time they are no longer students at AnimSchool.
Students in an Express class have a similar limitation: use of the character rigs and assets is limited to their time as AnimSchool students plus six months.
Students who graduate from an AnimSchool program may use all character rigs and assets and any future character rigs yet to be released.
Once a student has otherwise discontinued their status as student at AnimSchool in any way, they must discontinue use of AnimSchool rigs, tools, and assets and destroy copies from their computers.
SITE USE AGREEMENT
Students must abide by the provisions described in the AnimSchool website Terms and Conditions of Use. These are listed during the Enrollment process, or click here.
STANDARDS OF PROGRESS
Students must maintain a C grade or above each term to count the term's class as a fulfilled prerequisite for another class. Elective classes are not prerequisites, so a passing grade of any kind fulfills the requirement toward graduation.
Students who receive below a C grade on a required course, wishing to graduate, must retake the class or an equivalent class at their own expense to maintain eligibility.
This does not apply to classes taken Express. Express students will receive a grade, but it does not make them more or less eligible to take another class.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Students are expected to maintain professional standards of behavior in their interactions between other students and between them and teachers. If some conduct is unprofessional, or would be inappropriate in the workplace, students should avoid it. AnimSchool will not tolerate harassment, illegal discrimination, derogatory speech or actions toward another AnimSchool party or any other person, using AnimSchool communications. Students should avoid offensive content in the forums, messages, and in their school assignments, including crude language, sexually explicit material, or derogatory intention, or jokes that could appear derogatory toward others. Failure to comply with the standards of conduct may result in Academic Probation, up to and including dismissal.
Students should read the Terms of Use statement for the website www.AnimSchool.com and abide by the terms.
PROBATION
Students must agree to and abide by the terms of the enrollment agreement to continue in a program. Failure to comply may lead to a probation status. Students will be informed what steps they must take to avoid dismissal from AnimSchool, and will be given ample opportunity to resolve any issues.
TERMINATION/DISMISSAL
Students who fail to abide by the terms of admission, the standards of conduct, the terms of use for the website www.AnimSchool.com, fail to resolve probation status, or fail to resolve any non-payment issues may be considered for dismissal from AnimSchool. Students should phone or email studentadministrator@animschool.com to resolve any problem issues.
Depending on the nature of the dismissal, students may or may not be allowed to reapply to AnimSchool at a later time or to take Express classes in the future.
ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION STANDARDS
Students should strive to attend all the class sessions in which they are enrolled, and submit their assignments weekly. Not every weekly assignment is graded, so failure to submit an assignment may or may not directly impact the upcoming assignment's grade. Students who fail to submit any ungraded weekly assignments will likely fall behind, but non-attendance does not of itself impact class grade or academic standing.
Students are advised that much of the opportunity for learning comes from the direct interaction with the teacher during class sessions, so they should be attended whenever possible.
PLACEMENT SERVICES
AnimSchool will offer services to place students in industry positions upon graduation. Services will include job listings and information from contacts with industry recruiters, and recruiter access to AnimSchool graduate candidates' demo reels. Since AnimSchool is in its first term now, the placement coordinator has not yet been named.
AnimSchool cannot guarantee employment upon graduation from a program. AnimSchool will gather placement data and post job placement rates once they become available.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Students are responsible for providing their own computer hardware and software, as well as purchasing any of the required school books, per class (not a frequent requirement).
Students need a Windows XP or higher PC (personal computer), or Mac OSX 10.5.7 or higher.
Students should have a computer than meets the needs of the 3D software they use. For Autodesk Maya or Softimage, see www.autodesk.com. As an example, Maya lists these system recommendations for running version 2010 on Windows:
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business (SP2 or higher), Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (SP3 or higher), Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional
- Intel® Pentium® 4 or higher, AMD Athlon™ 64, AMD Opteron™ processor, AMD Phenom™ processor
- 2 GB RAM
- 4 GB free hard drive space
- Qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL® graphics card (see autodesk.com for graphics card recommendations)
- Three-button mouse
- DVD-ROM drive
AnimSchool does not provide installation or technical software support for getting your computer running with the animation software.
AnimSchool supports working in Autodesk Softimage and Autodesk Maya software, which you can purchase at a student discount through AnimSchool. Both programs can be bought for $349 for a perpetual license, or $149 per 13 months. Instructions for purchasing the software at the student discount will be given after a student is accepted into a program.
You may use any other comparable 3D software of your choice. However, in the 3D Animation program, remember you will need to use a suitably advanced character rig with which to animate. And in the Character program, rigging classes will include more software-specific instruction.
Autodesk Maya is the industry standard, and is used more often around the world, especially in the United States.
Autodesk Softimage is newer software, and is more popular internationally and in smaller studios. Softimage does not run natively on Mac OSX.
AnimSchool will provide most character rigs in both software, but they are authored in Softimage. Accordingly, new characters will be available in Softimage first. However, more teachers at AnimSchool are familiar with Maya than Softimage.
INTERNET BROWSER
AnimSchool is designed and tested on all major browsers, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera; on both Macs and Windows. Students should use the latest version of the browser when possible.
INTERNET BROADBAND REQUIRED
Fast "basic broadband" internet access is absolutely required. For best results, students will want download speeds of 1050kbps or more and upload speeds of 70 kbps or more. This will allow all students and the teacher to web conference together in class. At the least, students will need to have a video stream of the teacher and 1 student which requires download speeds of 280 kbps and upload speeds of 70 kbps.
Too find out the speeds you are experiencing on your computer and connection, go to a website such as www.speedtest.net and hit the Begin Test button.
DON'T HAVE BROADBAND AT HOME?
If you have slower internet speeds at home (or other location where you will carry out your assignments), you can still participate by uploading your assignments using a slow speed (for example, at home), but attending class lectures and critique time at an internet café or other such location with broadband speeds and a webcam. AnimSchool class lectures require no specific software (just an internet browser like Firefox), and can be accessed via Windows or Mac computers. So you can do your assignments and watch lectures using a slower connection, but attend class using a fast connection elsewhere.
MICROPHONE AND WEBCAM REQUIRED
You need to use a microphone and webcam to talk to the teachers and students. Online classes work best with headphones as well.
A webcam is also used to take a picture of drawn assignments, and record live planning for animated scenes.
LATE PAYMENTS
New students must pay before the term begins, in order to enroll. Enrolled students must keep their payments current to maintain status at the school and retain access to the AnimSchool student website and assets. To register in a particular class for the following term, existing students must pay the tuition for that term.
Existing students must pay for the upcoming term by the posted "Last Day to Register For Classes" on the Academic Calendar, approximately one week before a term begins. Students who fail to pay by that date will be subject to a $35 late fee and have their access restricted to the student AnimSchool website. Students should then call or email the
to bring their account current and resume student status. Existing students who fail to pay for the current term must contact the Student Administrator and arrange payment to avoid being placed on Academic Probation.
Students on the monthly payment option must maintain a valid credit or debit card on the account. Monthly payments will be withdrawn automatically on the first of the month or the first business day. If a card is denied during the attempt at processing, the student will be notified by email and they will have seven days to provide a replacement card, or be assessed a $35 late fee. Following the seven days, monthly payment students must contact the Student Administrator and arrange payment to avoid being placed on Academic Probation.
Students on the Easy-Pay program must maintain a valid credit or debit card on the account. Monthly payments will be withdrawn automatically on the first of the month or the first business day. If a card is denied during the attempt at processing, whether during a term or during a scheduled Easy-Pay break , the student will be notified by email and they will have seven days to provide a replacement card, or be assessed a $35 late fee. Following the seven days, monthly payment students must contact the Student Administrator and arrange payment to avoid being placed on Academic Probation.
TRANSFER OF CREDITS TO AnimSchool
Students wishing to transfer credits from another school to apply to a particular class or set of classes should send a detailed written request to studentadministrator@animschool.com. Credits may be accepted after a review on a case-by-case basis.
APPLY AT AnimSchool.COM
To start your education at AnimSchool, hit the Apply button on the sidebar, email
or
call 801 765-7677.