Ex'pression College for Digital Arts

infobox University
name= Ex'pression College for Digital Arts
president= Spencer Nilsen
dean= Chris Coan and David Bolt
established= 1998
type= Private, for-profit university
city= Emeryville
state= California
country= USA
former_names= Ex'pression Center for New Media (1998-2004)
website= [http://www.expression.edu expression.edu]

Ex'pression College for Digital Arts is a private, for-profit university located in Emeryville, California, geared toward the entertainment industry and known for its around-the-clock schedule and five week classes. It offers degree programs in Motion Graphic Design, Game Art & Design, Animation & Visual Effects, and Sound Arts. Ex'pression awards bachelor's degrees after 36 months of accelerated education. Some of the investors in the school also are investors in Full Sail University, and the two schools operate in a very similar manner, with Full Sail being multiple times larger.

History

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts was founded by Gary Platt, a sound recording engineer and educator, and Eckart Wintzen, a Dutch venture capitalist and media arts enthusiast. A 65,000 square foot building was purchased in Emeryville, California to house a new school to be called "Ex’pression Center for New Media". Ex’pression hired architect John Storyk, to help design the facility which houses the school. Building began in November of 1998.

On September 9, 1998, Ex’pression received temporary approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) to operate, and to offer course instruction in digital visual media and sound comprehensive programs. The BPPVE granted Ex’pression temporary approvals to operate and offer diploma, associates and bachelor degree programs in September 1998. In January 2001, Ex’pression was granted approval to operate, and renewed the approval to operate in October 2005.

On January 11, 1999, 48 students began classes in Sound Arts and Digital Visual Media, the first two programs offered by the school.

In 2004, the school had more than 500 students enrolled. The same year, its name was changed from "'Ex’pression Center for New Media" to "Ex’pression College for Digital Arts". The change reflects a stronger emphasis on Bachelor degree level learning and more accurately describes the core focus of the College’s curriculum in digital arts.

In April 2005, the school became an accredited college with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

In August 2005, Ex’pression was formally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and approved to participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid programs such as Stafford Loan, Pell Grant, and PLUS Loan.

In November 2006, Ex’pression was approved by the State of California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education to offer its fourth BAS degree in Game Art and Design

In December 2006, Ex'pression received approval to offer the Game Art and Design BAS program from the ACCSCT.

In early 2007, Ex’pression expanded its facilities adding an additional 13,000 square feet, creating several new classrooms. Work is currently taking place on further extensions to this wing.

Academics

Degree programs

* Bachelor of Science in Motion Graphic Design
* Bachelor of Science in Animation and Visual Effects
* Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design
* Bachelor of Science in Sound Arts

cheduling

Ex'pression has gained a reputation for having a challenging lab and class schedule. The school essentially operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with students in class or lab for 4 hours at a time; lectures generally take place between the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm, while labs run throughout the day. Many classes will have a three hour lecture, a one hour break, and then a four hour lab.

Ex'pression’s degree programs start monthly. Throughout the course of a program, the average Ex'pression student will have two courses at one time, with one course occurring on three days a week and the other course occurring on two or three depending on the class. This course load can fluctuate, however, according to the student’s program and month.

Courses are five weeks long, and new courses start every five weeks. This schedule allows Ex'pression a fluid, if intense, operating method. If a student fails a class, they will be allowed to take it again with no charge, one time. Further class retakes are not covered, and must be paid for by the student.

tudent life

Student life, like the school itself, is different from a typical college. Since a new class starts every five weeks, classmates who start at the same time frequently stay together throughout the program. This is desired, as one of the school's focuses is putting out small teams of graduates who know each other and have worked together, so that they can get group internships. Class sizes vary from 10 to 35 students, with a maximum number of 50 students in classes where students from different degree programs are combined, mostly the general education subjects. There are several groups and clubs within the different degree programs of the school, each oriented toward student interests. Students in the relevant degree program generally manage the groups, with an instructor providing support. Ex'pression does not have on-campus student housing but works with Collegiate Housing Services to offer housing for students. CHS offers a shared housing program for new and current students. CHS will also help students find alternative housing through their referral program. Most students live within 5 miles of the school in apartment complexes in the immediate area, often with roommates. Directly across the street from the school is an apartment building which offers discounts to students, and has a section of the parking garage reserved for student residents.

Accreditation

Ex'pression is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, which is a national accreditor of primarily vocational schools and career schools within the United States. Most four year colleges and universities in the U.S. are regionally accredited, and do not recognize national accreditation such as ACCSCT (see [http://www.accsct.org/Content/StudentCorner/Transfer%20of%20Credit/Transfer%20of%20Credit%20Policy%20Agenda.pdf] ).

Notable Faculty and Alumni

*Spencer Nilsen (School President) - Video Game Music Composer
*John Scanlon (Sound Arts Program Director) - Sound Engineer
*Yael Braha (Motion Graphic Design Program Director) - Graphic Designer, Filmmaker
*Jack Douglas (Teaches Studio Etiquette) - Record Producer

External links

[http://www.expression.edu Ex'pression Official Site]
[http://www.youtube.com/user/expressioncollege Ex'pression Official Youtube] - A YouTube channel showcasing student work
[http://www.myspace.com/ExpressionCollege Ex'pression Official Myspace]
[http://www.expressionstudents.com Ex'pression Students] - A student run forum and art-sharing community