Where is SFIA?

1366 Mission Street between 9th and 10th Streets. One block south of Market and near the Civic Center Bart Station.

When open?

Evenings from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (doors are often open earlier, but 6 p.m. maximum) Monday through Friday, depending on classes being held. Full-time students are provided with keys to the building and may come and go at any time.

Who should I talk to, for evaluation of past experience and education, to judge how many units will be required for a degree?

Director Fred Stitt will provide a detailed evaluation after reviewing transcripts and resume. A portfolio is not required. See our information sheets on MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE or MASTER OF ECOLOGICAL DESIGN degree requirements.

To meet licensing and accreditation standards, SFIA cannot provide more than 25 units of degree credit for past work experience.

When does the next Semesters start and end?

See latest course list.

Am I qualified to enroll?

The school is open to all. See the Master of Architecture Degree Requirements sheet for details of standing and units required for a degree.

What is the SFIA history? Its educational philosophy policies?

These are described elsewhere in ABOUT SFIA and the STUDENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

How enroll?

Fill out an enrollment form and email, mail, or fax it to the Information Office. Then show up at the appointed class times. If you do not send the enrollment form to the Information Office by the second week of school, you will not be enrolled.

Is it all right to visit and sit in on the first classes?

Yes. But final enrollments are required during the second week of classes.

What is the typical course load?

The average course load is a 5-unit design studio and two to three 3-unit classes — 11 to 14 units. Students who don't have outside work commitments can take two studios or more 3-unit classes, up to 19 units. Any student taking two to three courses is considered "full time."

What is the cost of the classes?

Except for special classes, 3-unit classes are $390 for credit, $290 for non credit. Five-unit classes are $690 for credit, $450 for non credit.

You can convert non credit classes later to credit, by completing work assignments for evaluation, and paying the additional fee. However, courses cannot be downgraded from credit status to non-credit after the second week of school.

Can I make payments?

Yes. You can pay 50% upon enrollment and the balance in two monthly installments; we will notify you of the due dates in your confirmation letter. You can pay by check, money order, cash, Visa or MasterCard. Sorry, no Amex.

Is it OK to change classes or withdraw?

There is no penalty for class changes or withdrawal during the first two weeks of school. Either a 100% credit for other classes is provided for those who withdraw up to the third week of school, or pro-rata refund minus a $30 administration fee will be provided for withdrawals after the third week. Students may not switch from credit status to non credit after the second week of school.

Are late enrollments OK?

We accept enrollments through the third week of classes. Video tapes and handout materials are usually available to help late enrollees catch up.

Is it OK to attend classes via video only?

Yes. The video tapes are not top quality, and the student misses the interaction with others, but the content is there. Several students are completing their program via video distance learning. The fees are the same as for on-site classes.

Are studio spaces and computer access available?

Any design studio student can set up a personal work space at school. Macintosh computers and PC's are available for student work at any time other than designated computer class times.

Is SFIA accredited?

Not yet. There are three stages of accreditation, starting with certification by the State of California. That is followed by accreditation by a regional accrediting body, and finally by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. We don't yet know how many years it will take to complete this process, but once complete, the accreditation is usually retroactive for several years.

Accreditation is a concern for many students who want to pursue a license to practice architecture. In the State of California, a total of 8 years of higher education and work experience are required, to take the exam. At this point, SFIA graduates may receive one year credit toward the exam.

Also, if you are working for a licensed architect, you'll receive full-time credit toward the architectural licensing exam. Those who work for engineers or as contractors receive partial time credit. Contact the State of California Board of Architectural Examiners at 916-445-3393 for complete information and a Chart of Equivalencies for related work-time credit.

We anticipate no problem in meeting the standards required for accreditation. But it is a time-consuming process. Meanwhile, we are attempting to provide as many of the benefits of accreditation as possible prior to the official final process.

Do you comply with all legal requirements regarding discrimination, refunds, etc.?

All requirements are met or exceeded.

SFIA absolutely does not allow discrimination or violation of personal rights by anyone against anyone for any reason.

Refunds are as noted above.

Other rules?

The school is a no-smoking/no intoxicant zone. Studio spaces are quiet zones. Privacy, personal rights, property rights are all to be respected. Otherwise the school is quite flexible, frowns on bureaucracy and regulation, and will do everything possible to accommodate individual student needs.

Visitors?

Welcome any time. Call to make an appointment if visiting during non-school hours. Students are encouraged to bring friends, mates, children, pets, etc.

For additional information:

Fred A. Stitt, Director
SFIA Information Office
Box 2590, Alameda, CA 94501
Ph 510-523-5174
Fax 510-523-5175
E-mail info@sfia.net