THE SVC STUDENT HANDBOOK

  • Before you enroll in a class, workshop, or program at SVC, you should know and agree to these terms:

    1. I understand and accept that any contract for training I enter into with the School of VIsual Concepts contains legally binding obligations and responsibilities.

    2. I understand and accept that repayment obligations will be placed upon me by any loans or financing arrangement I enter into as means to pay for my training.

    3. I understand that any enrollment contract I enter into shall not be binding or take effect for at least five days, excluding Sundays and holidays, following the last date such a contract is signed by the school and myself, provided that I have not entered classes sooner.

    4. I understand that by registering for classes, I grant SVC the right to publish work I’ve created in class as well as use my likeness on a perpetual basis in any medium or format for the promotional and educational purposes of SVC. I hereby release SVC from all claims and demands that I may have, including without limitation those based on copyright, libel, slander, violation of privacy or publicity or similar rights, arising out of or in connection with the exercise of the rights authorized hereunder.

    If you would like to opt out of this policy or have any other questions, please email info@svcseattle.com.

  • Fall 2023 classes run from 9/25/23 - 12/8/23
    There are no classes Thanksgiving Week, 11/20 - 11/26.

    Winter 2024 classes run from 1/8/24 - 3/15/24
    There are no classes on MLK Jr. Day, 1/15/24 and Presidents’ Day, 2/19/24.

    Spring 2024 classes run from 4/1/24 - 6/7/24
    There are no classes on Memorial Day, 5/27/24.

    Summer 2024 classes run from 6/17/24 - 8/30/24
    There are no classes the week of the 4th of July, 7/1 - 7/5.

    Fall 2024 classes run from 9/23/24 - 12/6/24
    There are no classes Thanksgiving Week, 11/25 - 12/1.

  • All classes are taught live via Zoom, with the exception of Custom Corporate Workshops, which may be taught in person at the client’s request.

    It’s our policy to NOT record classes to assure that students regularly attend class and also to prevent uncontrolled distribution of the instructors’ intellectual property. If you need to miss a class because of illness or family emergency and are requesting a video of the class, please give SVC as much advanced notification as possible. Videos will be available for viewing for one week after the class meets.

  • SVC may, on occasion, cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified as soon as possible when a class is cancelled, and will receive a full refund of all fees for cancelled classes.

  • SVC’s refund policy is set by the Washington Workforce Training Board. Here are the State-mandated rules about refunds:

    1. SVC must refund all monies paid if the applicant is not accepted to a class or program. This includes instances where a starting class is canceled by the school.

    2. SVC must refund all monies paid if the applicant cancels within five business days (excluding Sundays and holidays) after the day the Letter of Agreement is signed or an initial payment is made, as long as the applicant has not begun training.

    3. SVC may retain an established registration fee equal to ten percent of the total tuition cost, or one hundred dollars, whichever is less, if the applicant cancels past the fifth business day after signing the Letter of Agreement or making an initial payment. A registration fee is any fee charged by a school to process student applications and establish a student record system.

    4. When calculating refunds, the official date of a student’s termination is the last day of recorded attendance:

      > When the school receives notice of the student’s intention to discontinue the training program; or,

      > When the student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which provides for termination; or,

      > When a student, without notice, fails to attend classes for thirty calendar days.

    5. All refunds must be paid within thirty calendar days of the student’s official termination date.

    6. If training is terminated after the student enters classes, SVC may retain the registration fee established under (3) of this subsection, and will refund the student as determined by the percentage of total hours in the program or class the student has attended:

    No Hours of Classes Attended:
    100% Refund

    Up to 10% of Total Hours Attended:
    90% Refund

    Between 11% and 24% of Total Hours Attended:
    75% Refund

    Between 25% and 50% of Total Hours Attended:
    50% Refund

    More Than 50% of Total Hours Attended:
    No Refund

  • SVC does not provide financial aid or scholarships, but we do make an installment payment plan available to certificate program students. With this plan you can pay your tuition in 10 monthly installments. No interest is charged, but there is a $250 fee to set up the plan.

  • There are no formal education requirements to enroll in SVC's classes or workshops, nor is a portfolio necessary to begin course work. In some cases, though, there are prerequisites for individual classes and workshops. You'll find them detailed in the course descriptions. There is, however, one pre-condition to taking classes at SVC: We ask that you have at least completed your high school education. Fair enough?

  • Washington law requires private vocational schools to inform students how to file a complaint. By indicating your acceptance of the terms in this handbook you acknowledge this process has been explained to you. Below are the next steps the school must take in discussing this policy with you, along with information about the complaint process.

    The school has described the grievance and/or complaint policy to me.

    1. I know I should first try to resolve a complaint or concern with my instructor or school administrator

    2. I understand nothing prevents me from contacting the Workforce Board at 360-709-4600 at any time with a concern or complaint. Complaint forms are available here.

    3. I understand that I have one year to file a complaint from my last date of attendance.

    4. I further understand that in the event of a school closure, I have 60 days to file a complaint.

    5. I also understand that complaints are public records.

    6. I acknowledge that additional details about the complaint process, my rights, and any restrictions on the time I have to file a complaint can be found at the link additional details about the complaint process, my rights, and any restrictions above.

    This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this private vocational school may be made to the:

    Workforce Training and Educational Coordinating Board 128 – 10th Avenue SW, Olympia, Washington 98504

    Web: wtb.wa.gov

    Phone: 360.709.4600

    E-Mail Address: pvsa@wtb.wa.gov

  • Conduct and Effort

    Although effort is highly subjective, students not making a genuine effort to complete class assignments with a reasonable degree of work and attention to detail or those who consistently miss class, arrive late, or interfere with the learning opportunities of other students may be asked to withdraw from a class after an interview with the instructor and SVC administrators. In this event, the student's tuition will be refunded according to the policies listed in the Refunds and Dropped Classes section.

    Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Training and Educational Coordinating Board at 360.709.4600 at any time with a concern or a complaint.

    Equal Opportunity

    The School of Visual Concepts believes that learning opportunities must not be restricted based on race, gender, veteran or military status, creed, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability. So, these factors are not an issue in accepting you for admission to SVC.

    The School of Visual Concepts acknowledges that information pertaining to an applicant's disability is voluntary and confidential, and will be made on an individual basis. If this information is presented, SVC will reasonably attempt to provide an accommodation to overcome the effects of the limitation of the qualified applicant. All inquiries about accommodations should be made by emailing info@svcseattle.com, or by calling the school at 206.623.1560.

    Religious Accommodation

    The School of Visual Concepts will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students who have sincerely held religious practices or beliefs that conflict with a scheduled course/program requirement.

    Students requesting a religious accommodation should make the request, in writing, directly to their instructor and the School with as much advance notice as possible. Being absent from class or other educational responsibilities does not excuse students from keeping up with any information shared or expectations set during the missed class. Students are responsible for obtaining materials and information provided during any class missed. The student shall work with the instructor to determine a schedule for making up missed work.

    Examples of religious accommodations may include: rescheduling of an exam or giving a make-up exam for the student in question; altering the time of a student’s presentation; allowing extra-credit assignments to substitute for missed class work or arranging for increased flexibility in assignment due dates.

    Sexual Harassment

    Our goal is to keep SVC as a place where students are free from unwelcome advances, inappropriate verbal or physical contact, or anything that creates a hostile or offensive environment. If another student or faculty member crosses those lines, please let an SVC administrator know immediately. Staff or students who are found to have violated SVC's harassment policy will be dismissed immediately.

    Alcohol and Drug Use

    The use of alcohol (outside of sanctioned social functions) or illegal substances during SVC classes is strictly prohibited. Students who log on to class under the influence will be asked to leave and will be withdrawn from SVC without a refund.

  • SVC is mainly in business to serve people residing in North America. As such, we are unable to give you assistance in the following areas:

    • Obtaining visas

    • Setting up work-study programs

    • Translation assistance; all classes are taught in English, and students must be fluent in English

  • SVC is not an accredited institution, but it is licensed under Washington State law: Chapter 28C.10 RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this private vocational school may be made to the: Workforce Board, 128 - 10th Ave. SW, Box 43105, Olympia, Washington 98504 Web: wtb.wa.gov, Phone: 360-753-5662, E-Mail Address: wtecb@wtb.wa.gov

  • When classes are in session, SVC maintains office hours on Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Fridays and Saturdays.

    SVC can be reached by phone at 206-623-1560 or by email at info@svcseattle.com.