Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Prices vary by Course: Most Single Semester courses offered
at VAA run for 7 weeks (6 weeks of lessons and a review week)
and start at $25 US dollars.
We also have courses that, due to the intensity of the course
material, run for 2 semesters with a short break in between.
Tuition for these courses also vary but most start at
$40.00.
You may pay by Paypal, credit card via Paypal, eCheck, personal check (North America), or International Money Order. You do not have to have a Paypal account to use Paypal for making your payment. All fees are US Dollars.
How often do classes start?Single Semester Classes begin every two months. See the
calendar page for more detailed
information.
For our 2 semester courses please see course schedule in the
Announcements forum.
The amount of time to complete each lesson varies with each course, but most take between 2-4 hours per week.
How long does each semester last?Each semester lasts 6 weeks. Some courses include a bonus 7th week to complete lessons and a wrap up and review.
Do I need to purchase any books?No. All course material is supplied in an online format that can be completed as you read the lesson. Please note: not all courses are printer-friendly due to graphic content and layout. The courses are written for use on the computer and we do not guarantee printability. All lessons may be saved on your harddrive for future reference.
Is there a time schedule to complete each lesson?No. The lessons are self-paced and can be completed at your convenience. Some courses do require the lesson be posted each week prior to the next lesson being posted. This will be outlined in your course welcome letter.
When will my class start?Classes begin the first of every other month. See the calendarfor more detailed information.
Do you have a refund policy?Yes. We will refund tuition prior to the second lesson being posted (minus a $6.00 processing fee) for any reason.
Click on the "registration" button, complete all fields in the form and click Register, then choose the corresponding class from the payment schedule and submit your payment.
What if I want to pay by personal check or Money Order?Checks can be made payable to Visual Arts Academy and sent to the address on our Contact page. Contact support@visual-arts-academy.com for any additional information.
What is the next step after I register?Welcome letters are sent approximately one week prior to semester start. Save your payment receipt. If for any reason you have not received your Welcome letter with your Login information within two days of the semester commencement, check your spam folder first, then contact admin@visual-arts-academy.com with your payment information.
When will I receive my welcome letter?Welcome letters are sent during the last week prior to the start of the new semester. Late registrants should receive their letters within 24 hours. If you do not receive them within this time, contact admin@visual-arts-academy.com.
I lost my username and/or password? What do I do?Your username and password for the forum and classrooms will be located in your welcome letter. If your course has webspace provided, you will receive this information from your instructor at the beginning of the class. If you have misplaced the welcome letter, please contact support@visual-arts-academy.com.
I am having trouble logging in. Who do I contact?If you have a problem with your password or Username, please contact support@visual-arts-academy.com.
How do I change my email or registration address?You may change your registration or email address on file by contacting admin@visual-arts-academy.com.
What if the class I want to register for is full?If your instructor has limited the class size, you will see a "Classroom Full" notice when you try to register. You may choose to sign up for the VAA Mailing list to be notified when the class is next offered.
The classrooms link is located on our home page www.visual-arts-academy.com. The link is also located on your class forum description. Click on your course and type in the popup box, the User name and password assigned to you in the welcome letter.
How do I use the forum to display my work?Our forum accepts attachments. If you have your own webspace, you may choose to upload to the board for display.
Do I need my own website?Check the prerequisites of the course that you are interested in. A few of the courses will provide webspace by Visual Arts Academy. Details will be included in your welcome letter.
Do I have to know how to FTP to take a class with VAA?Check the prerequisites of the course that you are interested in. If the course requires you to post images in the forum, you may upload attachments directly from your harddrive using the browse function.
What if I can't complete my lesson one week?There is no set time to complete the lessons. If you want to receive a certificate, check with your instructor for any exceptions.
If I don't want to participate and only audit the class and download the material is that okay?Our classes were written for class interaction and support from your instructor, therefore, we do not allow auditing the class to download the classroom material without prior written approval from the instructor of that particular class.
Sometimes real-life issues will interfere with the completion of a course or you may have a major computer problem that does not allow you to finish a course. If your problem occurs prior to the Lesson 3 post date, and providing you notify your instructor immediately and ask to be deferred to the next semester, admin will so note the files. If your problem occurs after Lesson 3 has posted, we will offer you the option of retaking the class at a 20% discount.
May I purchase a gift certificate for another student?Yes. Gift certificates can be purchased online. More information can be found on the contact page. You may opt for an online certificate or a printed gift gertificate that is mailed to you for presentation.
I received a gift certificate. How do I register?Register using the registration form and enter your Gift Certificate number in the appropriate box. Simply Close the Browser when the payment page appears.
Is there a minimum age to take a class?No, but minor children (under 18) must have a parent's permission. Visual Arts Academy will not accept a child under 13 without completing a questionnaire provided by the academy to ascertain their computer skills and reading comprehension level. We want our students to receive the maximum benefit from their course, and most courses are written to be understood by an adult.
I registered for the wrong course by mistake. How can I get enrolled in the correct one?Contact admin@visual-arts-academy.com and let us know the class you intended to register for. Please supply your payment receipt number with your request.
How do I receive a Certificate of Achievement?The individual instructors for each course determine certificate criteria. Visual Arts Academy feels the certificate should be earned and not just a presentation, so please be sure you meet the requirements to receive your certificate.
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2008 Visual Arts Academy
All rights reserved and protected by U.S. Copyright laws.
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