Academic Resources

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

The ARC provides free tutoring and academic support to all SFAI students.

Students may visit the ARC for a variety of reasons, and ARC tutors—graduate students with a background in education and a passion for teaching—can help you develop a more sophisticated approach to both your academic and studio work. 

At the ARC you can:

  • Seek guidance on academic or studio assignments—from essays and math homework, to creative writing and exam preparation.
  • Improve your English vocabulary, grammar, or conversation skills.
  • Recalibrate your study techniques and time management skills to meet the demands of a college or graduate-level program.
  • Work through difficult reading material.
  • Study in a quiet environment, surrounded by excellent resources—reference books, computers, coffee and tea, and tutors happy to answer any questions. 

Hours

  • 800 Chestnut Street, Studio 15
    Monday | 10am–7pm
    Tuesday–Friday | 10am–4pm

    Studio 15 will open the first day of classes for students to use computers and study spaces.

 

Beginning March 13, 2020 both SFAI locations—Chestnut Street and Fort Mason campuses—are closed to support the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In person access to the ARC will not be available until the campus reopens.  

 

  • ARC Online Google Drive
    This service is available at any time during the semester. Submit your essay draft and receive feedback from a tutor in 2–3 days by clicking here.

To make an appointment with a tutor or for more information about the ARC, contact: arc@sfai.edu 

Accessibility Services Office (ASO)

The ASO ensures that students with documented disabilities have equal access to the curriculum and school environment by providing a range of accommodations.

Some of the most common accommodations include extra time for assignments, a quiet place for exams, and note takers. If you have had accommodations in the past, used a 504 plan, or believe that you might qualify for accommodations during your time at SFAI, the ASO can assist you in determining and arranging for these accommodations.

The first step is filling out the ASO Registration Form.

 

Documentation Guidelines

In addition to the registration form, we require enough information to confirm that you have a disability, and to understand its impact, so that we may anticipate supportive accommodations you may use in this environment. Multiple sources and types of information are useful, including educational records, letters from educators and healthcare providers, diagnostic reports, as well as records of past accommodations from testing agencies or employers, and letters or records from local, state, or federal agencies, such as SSDI determination or VA records.

All medical documentation should:

  • reflect the student's current functional limitations
  • be from an appropriate medical provider
  • be current (usually no more than three years old, or 6-12 months old for psychological documentation)

 

Documentation can be faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered to our office:

Attn: Director of Equity, Access + Inclusion

800 Chestnut St.

San Francisco, CA 94133

Fax: 415-351-3503

Be sure to include the ASO Registration Form when submitting your documents.

 

Documentation should include:

  1. Clearly stated disability diagnosis
  2. Medical history relevant to the disability
  3. Functional limitations described in detail (e.g. specific symptoms, frequency, severity, stamina, medication side effects, etc.)
  4. List and summary of any testing used in the evaluation (deaf or hard of hearing students should include a copy of their audiogram)
  5. Estimated end date of disability (or indicate permanent status)
  6. Typed or printed on official letterhead and signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization).

Note: You are strongly advised to give a copy of the aforementioned documentation guidelines to your treating clinician. Disabilities have a wide range of severity and effect. The more specific information we receive, the better we can determine appropriate accommodations for you.

For questions about documentation or accommodations, please email accessibility@sfai.edu.

Academic Advising

Undergraduate Advising

Academic Advisors can meet with you to collaborate on a schedule of courses that is meaningful and that will ensure timely progress toward your degree. They can also assist you in choosing a major or minor, developing an academic projection for degree completion, and other questions related to your academic goals and success.

After the ADD/DROP period of your first semester, you’ll meet with your Academic Advisor at specific points before earning your degree:

  • Students who have completed 33 credits or less are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering for courses.
  • Students who have completed 34-83 units or more are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor prior to registering to ensure enrollment in the appropriate courses to meet degree requirements.
  • Students who have accumulated 84 credits or more are required to meet with an advisor to review their remaining requirements for graduation.


For more information, contact advising@sfai.edu 

 

Graduate Advising

Academic Advising is offered to students of the Graduate Programs in the form of one-on-one meetings with Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Faculty Advisors who are available during scheduled office hours. All Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor prior to each registration period to discuss their academic progress.

Academic Advisors are available to:

  • Help students with the selection of courses, curricular requirements, and to develop an individualized course of study
  • Direct students to faculty with similar research and creative interests who would be particularly helpful in the development of the student’s creative work
  • Provide students with guidance when preparing for graduate reviews, art applications, and exhibitions, including helping students refine written statements and professional materials
  • Create a general plan of study for progress toward the degree
  • Create a plan of study and offer advisement for students on academic probation or who did not pass their Intermediate or Final Reviews

For more information, contact graduateoffice@sfai.edu