Academic Policies

All courses are taught in English, with the exception of Italian language courses (ITL and ITC codes).

 

Non-native English speakers are required to demonstrate that they have reached a high-intermediate level in the English language skills, with certification or other evidence equivalent to the following minimum overall TOEFL scores: Paper Based Test 550+, Computer Based Test 213+, or Internet Based Test 80+.

The rent period begins on Housing Check-In Day and ends on Housing Check-Out Day.

Academic Year students must pay the rent for both semesters, but they only need to pay their housing deposit once. Housing is provided for the Fall and Spring semesters. It is not provided during the winter break between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students staying for two consecutive summer sessions must pay their rent for each session, but they only need to pay their housing deposit once. Housing costs will cover the rent for the reserved months, including the one-week break between summer sessions, but only for two consecutive sessions in the same city.

LdM housing services include:

• Rent, with fixed Check-In and Check-Out dates as specified

• Repairs that are not caused by students

• Average Utilities (water, gas, electricity). Any costs above the average consumption will be charged to the students sharing the same apartment and subtracted from the housing deposit.

• Internet connection

Housing services do not include:

• Meals

• Damage(s) caused by students, extra cleaning and excessive consumption of utilities. (Please see the specific details in the Check-Out procedure form.)

LdM housing services may differ between campuses.

For further information, please check the specific campus or the Housing Services page.

LdM courses usually involve 45, 60, or 90 contact hours per term. See the academic catalog for details.

The standard course load for semester programs is 15- 16 credits. During Summer and January Intersession, the standard course load is 3-7 credits per session. LdM courses usually involve 45, 60, or 90 contact hours per term: see academic catalog for details. We recommend that students take the standard course load to help ensure a successful experience. Students must retain full-time status, with a minimum of 12 credits per semester and 3 credits per Intersession/Summer term. Students may not drop or withdraw (with a “W” or “W/F”) from a course if it would bring them below the minimum number of credits. During short terms, non-credit offerings are available only in addition to credit-bearing classes.

Various courses at LdM require students to have already completed specified prerequisites before the beginning of the program. Prerequisites are detailed at the end of course descriptions and are also available on the institute’s regularly published schedules. Many studio art and design courses require students to take a level test upon arrival in order to confirm suitability for the course.

Contact [email protected] for more information on academic prerequisites.

The following grading system applies to all LdM courses:
A = 100 – 93%, A- = 92 – 90%, B+ =89 – 87%,
B = 86 – 83%, B- = 82 – 80%, C+ = 79 – 77%,
C = 76 – 73%, C- = 72 – 70%, D = 69 – 60%
W = Withdrawal W/F = Late Withdrawal F = Fail

“W” – Withdrawal
Students who officially drop a class after Final Registration and before the “W” deadline will receive a “W” on their transcript. No credit will be awarded for the course.
“W/F” – Late Withdrawal
Students who officially drop a class after the “W” deadline and before the “W/F” deadline will receive a “W/F” on their transcript. No credit will be awarded for the course.
“F” indicates that:
• All the course requirements are complete but unsatisfactory by the end of the term.
• The student has dropped the course without submitting the official withdrawal form by the deadline.
• No credit will be awarded for the course.
NOTE: Courses that are officially dropped before Final Registration day will not appear on the student’s transcript.
Details regarding add/drop/withdrawal dates and procedures will be provided during the Orientation session of each term.
Pass/Fail and Incomplete
LdM does not offer Pass/Fail grades or Incompletes, only letter grades.

• Course attendance is a primary requirement for a responsible learning experience at LdM.
• Punctuality is mandatory. Students must arrive in class on time: any lateness or leaving class early will impact the participation grade and the Final Grade.
• Students are responsible for keeping track of their absences and for catching up on any missed work.
• For no reason (i.e., religious holidays, travel plans, family matters, etc.) will absences be excused.
• Make-up classes are always mandatory as part of the course program.
• Students will receive an “F” on each exam they miss.
• Students who leave LdM before the end of the term must fill out an Official Withdrawal Request form and return it to their advisor. Students who submit the form by the “W” Withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” for each non-completed course. Students who submit the form by the “W/F” Withdrawal deadline will receive a “W/F” for each non-completed course. Students who leave LdM without submitting the form will receive an “F” in each non-completed course. In all cases, students will not be eligible for credits or receive a refund.
• Students who absent themselves from courses will have their final grade penalized.

As an Italian institute, LdM follows the national criteria for holidays and religious festivals.

1 January – New Year’s Day

6 January – Epiphany

Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox – Easter

Monday after Easter – Easter Monday

25 April – Liberation Day

1 May – International Workers Day

2 June – Republic Day

15 August – Assumption Day & Ferragosto

1 November – All Saints’ Day

8 December – Immaculate Conception

25 December – Christmas Day

26 December – Saint Stephen’s Day

Auditing is not allowed at LdM. Students may attend only the courses listed on their Official Registration form.

Mid-terms and final exams will be given only on the scheduled days that appear on each course syllabus and will not be moved under any circumstances, including illness, religious holidays, travel plans, family matters, etc. Exams are scheduled during normal class times, so more than one exam may be administered on the same day. Students are not allowed to make up any assessed in-class activities they have missed (including but not limited to quizzes, tests, etc.) under any circumstances, including illness, religious holidays, travel plans, family matters, etc.

A student who thinks that a grade has been assigned unfairly should bring this to the attention of the instructor during the term. Once the term is over, the Registrar’s Office handles those issues. If complaints cannot be resolved at this level they may be referred to one of the following, depending on the nature of the complaint: Dean of Students, Academic Committee, General Director. In the case of a dispute, their decision shall be final.