Policies & Forms
Student Forms
Policies
Admissions and Counseling
The Glassell School of Art offers continuing education courses and workshops to students of all experience levels, from very beginning through advanced. Classes and workshops are offered year-round for adults ages 18 and up. New students are welcome to enroll in any course or workshop that does not require prerequisites. Foundation-level courses do not require prerequisites and as such, new students are welcome to enroll in the courses without having academic counseling or a transcript. Art history courses and most workshops do not have any prerequisites, unless specifically noted in the description. Academic counseling is available to all students and is recommended for those who have previous art experience. Academic counseling is held prior to the start of each semester to place students into courses commensurate with their experience and skills. Counseling appointments allow each student to discuss goals with the dean or a faculty member, who also evaluates the student’s experience based on portfolio review, Glassell School of Art academic records, or a transcript from another institution. Appointments can be made for counseling by emailing [email protected] or calling 713-639-7500.
Continuing students may only advance if they have successfully completed courses with grades of C or higher, and with the permission and approval of an instructor in their area of study.
Tuition & Fees
All tuition and fees are due in full at the time of registration. Course and workshop tuitions are listed in the course descriptions. Tuition does not cover the cost of materials used for the students’ own production. Supplies such as paints, canvas, brushes, clay, tools, photographic paper, lenses, cameras, and other materials are not provided to students, and will need to be purchased by students individually. Supply lists are provided by instructors during the first class.
Add/Drop Policy
Add: Students are able to add courses and workshops throughout the online registration period. After the first class, students must contact the registrar to enroll. Students cannot add a course after the second class meeting except with permission of the instructor. Students may adjust their schedules once, after which $50 will be charged for each change.
Drop (Courses): Students must complete a drop form to drop a course. Students are able to drop a class and receive a refund minus a $100 processing fee before the final drop date. After the drop date, all registrations for courses are considered final and no refunds will be issued.
Drop (Workshops): Students must complete a drop form to drop a workshop. Students are able to drop a workshop and receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee up to seven (7) days before the workshop begins. All workshop registrations are considered final six (6) days before the workshop begins, and no refunds will be issued. Please consult the workshop descriptions for the start dates.
Building Access
Studio Access
Currently enrolled students have access to studios outside of scheduled classes as each semester’s open-studio listings permit. Room schedules are posted at the start of each semester, with the school’s priority usage given to Glassell related classes and programming. Enrolled students may only access and use studios and equipment for their areas of enrollment and may not access other studios without faculty permission. Open studio access and use is only during the regularly scheduled building hours. Students may not access or use a studio while another class is in session. Workshop enrollment only gives access while the workshop is in session, and does not include access for the full semester. Glassell building hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional closures or changes to hours will be posted to the Glassell webpages.
Museum and Hirsch Library Access
Students have free access to the Museum’s permanent collection galleries and the Hirsch Library during regular Museum and library hours. Please check mfah.org for current hours, as they are subject to change. Students should use their current semester Glassell student ID card to check in with a guest services desk to receive appropriate visitor tickets and/or badging, and to access the Hirsch Library. Students may not access the Museum or Hirsch Library outside of public hours unless on a scheduled tour in the company of their faculty instructor.
Parking
Parking is included in the tuition for full-semester courses and 7-session workshops that are held in person. Eligible students will receive a parking pass valid for the duration of the semester, granting entry and exit access. Convenient parking is available in the MFAH Montrose Garage, located directly beneath the Glassell School building. Please note that the school does not validate parking or reimburse parking expenses under any circumstances.
Refund Policy and Cancellations
Refunds are processed through the original method of payment. Refunds by check are sent via U.S. mail and may take up to three (3) weeks to process. Credit card refunds may take up to a full statement cycle to appear. The school requires a minimum number of students in order to hold a class. Students enrolled in classes that are canceled because of low enrollment will be notified by the registrar and given an opportunity to enroll in another class or receive a full refund.
Tuition Discounts
Discounts are available for MFAH members at the Patron level and above and MFAH staff. Discounts may not be combined and are not issued retroactively. Please call or email our registrar at 713-639-7501, or [email protected] for a discount code for the following discounts: MFAH Patron + members: 5% discount MFAH staff: 30% discount
Prerequisites and Registration
Registrations are online. Undersubscribed sections are canceled at the discretion of the Glassell School.
Art history courses and most workshops do not have any prerequisites, unless specifically noted in description.
New students may enroll in any course or workshop that does not require prerequisites. New students wishing to enroll in a course requiring prerequisites must set up an appointment for a portfolio review. Please contact Glassell by email at [email protected] or by phone at 713.639.7500 to set up an appointment. Students may register online or in person at the administrative office. Studio course registrations are not accepted via third-party representatives.
Students may skip prerequisite courses only if their student file contains one of the following: 1) documentation that the prerequisite was waived by a faculty counselor or 2) a transcript showing that the prerequisite was completed at another institution. Students must repeat any prerequisite courses in which they received grades of W, DR, or F.
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced studio courses consist of two semesters. Students are expected to enroll in each semester in numerical sequence without skipping semesters, unless the student’s record file contains either 1) a transcript showing completion of similar course work at another institution or 2) faculty approval. Additionally, students are expected to progress through the levels at a reasonable rate of study.
Attendance
Each student is permitted three (3) absences per semester. Four (4) or more absences may result in dismissal or a grade of F (Fail) if the student fails to complete assignments that were scheduled during the absence(s). Registered students who fail to attend any classes in a given semester will receive a W (Withdrawn) on their transcript. Instructors reserve the right to drop a student who has been absent from the first two (2) class meetings. In this case, refunds and/or credits will not be issued and the student will receive a W on their transcript.
Homework
Each studio course requires a minimum of three hours of homework per week. Students enrolled through the University of St. Thomas are expected to produce three hours of additional homework per course to fulfill the credit-hour requirements.
Discipline/Dismissal
The Glassell School reserves the right to remove students from classes for unsatisfactory achievement, excessive absences, or behavior that is deemed to be rude, disruptive, inappropriate, dangerous, or in violation of school health and safety regulations. Individual instructors maintain the right to dismiss a student from a class with a warning, and to remove a student permanently from a class for repeated offenses. In the event of subsequent behavior problems, the student will be dismissed with no refund and no access to further programming. Students may also be dismissed for nonpayment of any tuition and fees, past or present, and for unlawful possession or use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Drugs/Alcohol
The Glassell School complies with the Drug-Free Workplace policy of the MFAH. As such, the school reserves the right to remove from the premises any student who is found in possession or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The school reserves the right to permanently bar a student from the premises and the right to notify law-enforcement agencies, based on the nature of the use or possession.
Grading
Grades are issued at the end of each semester. A student may elect to receive a letter grade or a Pass/Fail (P/F). Students who have chosen Pass/Fail (P/F) grades may petition for letter grades within two years of taking the course. After two years, grades cannot be changed.
Letter Grades
Letter grades range from A to F: A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Average), D (Below Average), and F (Fail). Pluses and minuses may be used with letter grades, with the highest grade given being A.
Workshop Grades
Students enrolled in workshops will receive grades of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). Satisfactory completion of workshops earns one elective credit hour. Students enrolled in workshops that are six (6) sessions or less will not receive a parking pass for the semester and will be expected to pay the posted parking rates. Please see parking rates below.
Lockers and Personal Property
A limited number of lockers are available in specific classes and designated areas for student use during the registered semester. The school does not guarantee a locker for each student. At registration, the student releases and discharges the school and the MFAH from any liability or claim of liability for any damage to or loss of personal property, including artwork. All artwork and personal property left at the school between semesters is discarded. The school, the MFAH, and their agents or designees are not liable for damage to or loss of personal property left unattended. Instructors will provide additional information about lockers during course introductions.
Waiver and Release of Liability
Although the MFAH hopes that no student is ever injured or hurt, injuries are a possibility of participation in programs at the Glassell School of Art. The risk of injuries is a risk that the students voluntarily agree to assume in exchange for the privilege of participating in the Studio School. The students understand and agree that this risk is not a risk that the MFAH assumes and that the MFAH is not responsible for any injuries to the students. Accordingly, the student voluntarily releases, discharges, and waives the right to sue the MFAH and its directors, trustees, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and all persons acting by, through, under, or in concert with the MFAH for any and all losses, demands, claims, suits, causes of action, liability, costs, expenses, and judgments whether arising in equity, at common law, or by statute, under the law of contracts, torts, or property, for personal injury (including without limitation emotional distress), arising in favor of the student, or anyone claiming through us based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of, directly or indirectly, the student’s participation in the Studio School EVEN IF ANY SUCH CLAIMS ARE DUE TO THE RELEASED PARTIES’ OWN NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY WITHOUT REGARD TO FAULT, VIOLATION OF STATUTE, OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING ANY NEGLIGENT ACT, OMISSION, OR INTENTIONAL ACT INTENDED TO PROMOTE SAFETY OR WELL-BEING. The student hereby grants permission to the MFAH to obtain emergency medical treatment for the student if the MFAH deems in its discretion that such emergency medical treatment is necessary.
Release of Information
The school maintains records for all students, past and present. Student information is released only to the student or designated representative. Designation forms are available as PDFs on the Student Forms page and from the registrar and must be on file for information to be released to anyone other than the student. Exceptions may be made for health and safety emergencies, or to comply with legally issued subpoenas.
Transcripts
Students requesting transcripts must submit a written request and appropriate payment to the registrar. Transcripts cost $5 per copy. Forms are available as PDFs on the Student Forms page and from the registrar. Transcript requests will not be processed if the student owes any fees. Students may also mail a request in writing to:
Registrar
The Glassell School of Art
P.O. Box 6826
Houston, TX 77265-6826
Requests must include the full name of the student, last semester attended, and the full mailing address with zip code for the location(s) where the transcripts are to be sent. Alternatively, the student may pick up transcripts in person. In-person pick-up requests must include a telephone number so that the registrar can contact the student when the transcripts are available. Allow at least 3 business days for transcripts to be completed.
Transfer Credit
Students wishing to transfer credits from other institutions must submit official transcripts and a portfolio for review. To set up an appointment for a portfolio review, contact the office via email at [email protected] or call 713.639.7500. Official transcripts must be provided no later than one month after the end of the semester’s registration period. Students who do not furnish transcripts by this deadline may be dropped from all classes with no tuition refund. Transfer credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the dean of students in conjunction with the registrar’s review of the student’s transcript.
International Students
The Glassell School is not able to grant F1 student visas to international students seeking to study studio art.
General Policies
The Glassell School of Art is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH); and as such, complies with all policies and procedures of the MFAH, as appropriate, for the proper administration and management of the school. The school reserves the right to amend, add, and delete policies and regulations as necessary, as well as the right to change programs, dates, personnel, and fees noted in this schedule. Any photos, videos, pictorial images, voice recordings, or quotations taken or created by the MFAH (including without limitation any taken by any photographer or videographer paid by or volunteering for the MFAH) during or relating to the course are the sole property of the MFAH and may be used in future publications, web pages, promotions, advertisements, and exhibitions of the school or the MFAH or any other person authorized to use such images by the school or MFAH without the need of additional permission from or consideration to the student.