Policies & Procedures

Transfer of Credit

• Transferability of Credits
• Transfer of Credit Policy from Another Institution to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
• Transfer of Credit from International/Non-U.S. Schools
• Credit for Military Service
• Computer Science Proficiency Test
• Proficiency/Life Credit
• CLEP/AP Policy
• Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction
• Readmissions Procedures & Re-establishment of Financial Aid

- Proficiency/Life Credit

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale recognizes that some students may have exceeded certain course requirements because of their professional experience. This experience and acquired knowledge may be used to receive advanced credit. Proficiency/life credit will not be awarded after the end of the student’s first quarter of study. Students who seek proficiency/life credit will be permitted to pursue the review of such, provided that they meet the following criteria:

1. document and present portfolios and other life/work experience to the Admissions department prior to matriculation.
2. present required proof of graduation.
3. show evidence that they will be at least 25 years of age by the first day of classes
4. present evidence of more than five years of supervisory/managerial work experience for a medium to large organization.
5. present a track record of successful academic completion on all transcripts, certificates, or documents presented. Any academic-related work presented for proficiency/life credit consideration that shows a history of poor academic performance, CGPA less than 2.0, termination for academic reasons, and/or status not in good standing will not be accepted.
6. be currently enrolled in The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale will utilize the following materials for consideration in awarding proficiency/life credit:

a. portfolios and other life/work experience that is well documented
b. certifications and awards
c. publications and professional writings
d. professional recognition and listings
e. letters of knowledge and skill recognition from industry leaders

Faculty members and/or the program chair will review all documentation to determine proficiency and specific course substitution.

No more than 25% of the credits required to graduate may be given through proficiency/life
credit.

Proficiency/life credits are awarded as “P” grades on the The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale transcript and do not affect the student’s CGPA.

All students seeking proficiency/life credit must follow these procedures:

1. The applicant must inform their Admissions officer that they would like to receive proficiency/life credit. The student must be currently enrolled prior to the proficiency/life credit review to occur.
2. The Admissions officer must determine whether or not the applicant is eligible for proficiency/life credit according to the criteria.
3. If the student meets the eligibility requirements they will be directed to meet with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs who will give them a Credit for Life Experience Packet and review the procedure for gathering evidence and documentation. Following the meeting with the Associate Dean, the student will need to prepare their documents and set an appointment with the Academic Program Chair for the program they are enrolled in.
4. The student must meet with and present the completed Credit for Life Experience Packet to the program chair before the first day of the student’s first quarter of study at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
5. Upon receipt of the packet, the Academic Program Chair will evaluate the packet,
   award any appropriate advanced standing, complete the required documentation and notify the applicant that the review is complete.
6. The Academic Program Director will forward the advanced standing documents to the registrar and hold on to the Packet.

The applicant/student has up to 30 days to retrieve the proficiency/life credit materials from the Dean of Academic Affairs. After 30 days, all materials not retrieved will be discarded.

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- CLEP/AP Policy

Students accepted to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale may acquire credit for a limited number of selected courses, according to the current College Board criteria, through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and/or Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. A minimum score of 3 on any AP examination, or a minimum score of 50 on any CLEP examination, is required for credit toward a course to be awarded. All credit awards will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the event that a prospective student presents an AP score of 3 or higher or a CLEP score of 50 or higher for non–General Education coursework, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale may request that the student also presents a portfolio demonstrating proficiency.

For CLEP and AP examinations covering the same course material, credit for only one examination will be awarded, and credit will be granted on a “credit/no credit” basis. Minimum scores are subject to change at any time. Prospective students requesting CLEP/AP credit must order the test scores directly from the testing center, to be sent to their Admissions officer at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale prior to matriculation.

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- Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction

Prospective students seeking admission to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale may acquire credit for coursework successfully completed at non-collegiate organizations such as business, industry, professional, and voluntary organizations; government agencies; labor unions; hospitals; and other non-degreegranting organizations. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale will award credit based on the recommendations established by The National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (National PONSI). National PONSI recognizes that it is sound educational practice to grant academic credit for high-quality educational programs conducted by noncollegiate organizations, provided that these experiences are at the college level and that the credit is appropriate to an individual's educational program. Upon request prospective students will be advised about non-collegiatesponsored credit during the admissions process. Such credit will be recorded as “P” on the student’s The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale transcript and will not affect the student’s CGPA.

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- Readmissions Procedures & Re-establishment of Financial Aid

Any student who has left The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for any time period must go through the formal re-entry process. To begin the process, the student must meet with the Associate Director of Readmissions. The student’s record will be reviewed for academic progress and financial obligations. If approval is obtained, the Associate Director of Readmissions may proceed with the reentry process.

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