Registration Policy
New Students
Discovery Learning Center (DLC) adopts a quarter system that consists of four 10-week sessions a year. Though each of the four sessions starts on a specific date and all classes begin on the same day, some students may be admitted to existing classes up to the 6th week of each term and on a case-by-case basis.
Prospective students must be at least 18 years old or hold a high school diploma or equivalent to apply. DLC students must agree to abide by the school's rules and policies. All requested information must be completed on the application form. Incomplete forms will not be processed. Application forms can be obtained by contacting the office. It is important to understand the school’s refund policies in the event that course withdrawal becomes necessary. There is a non-refundable application fee of $100. This fee is not part of the tuition and must be paid at the time of registration.
Returning Students
Our office will automatically register continuing students for the next IEP term, unless they have completed one of the following processes: completing the IEP, officially withdrawing or being dismissed from classes, or transferring to another school. It is very important that all continuing students be registered and able to attend classes from the first day of every term.
A student who has not been enrolled in the IEP for more than 6 months must take the placement test to re-enroll. This is to ensure that the student is placed in the most appropriate level for his/her language proficiency, so that he/she will have the best learning experience. The IEP does not guarantee that a student will be placed at or above the students’ previous level of enrollment, since the students’ language skills may have declined over time without active practice.
Note: These students will be held to the same placement testing policy as new students.
Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) and Reduced Course Load (RCL) for F-1 Students
As an F-1 international student, you may request permission from a DSO for a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) or Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to medical reasons to remain legally in the U.S. The Medical LOA/RCL Request Form must be submitted to the DSO before the effective date in case of a diagnosed illness. In case of an emergency, you may submit your request by email before your absences exceed the allowed limit.
General Rules
Medical RCL allows F-1 students to attend classes part-time or be excused from all classes due to illness or medical conditions. A student may be authorized for RCL multiple times but must not exceed a total of 12 months at the same program level. You must speak with the DSO and obtain permission for each term you wish to reduce your course load. An RCL authorization applies only to one term at a time. You must resume a full course of study at the next available session unless another RCL is authorized. Dropping below a full course of study without proper authorization could jeopardize your F-1status.
If you are taking a medical leave and plan to leave the U.S., your SEVIS record may need to be terminated. Please notify a DSO before departure and discuss the specifics of your situation with them.
Things to Remember
- Class Exemption: You may be excused from all classes if recommended by a doctor. You can maintain F-1 status during the authorized period of RCL. During the time you are on leave for medical reasons, you may NOT work.
- Medical Documentation Required: You must provide medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist.
The letter must include your name and the doctor's recommendation of a leave of absence or reduced enrollment for specific dates and reasons. This documented evidence must be submitted before the effective date (date of diagnosed illness) or as soon as it is available in case of an emergency or unpredictable illness.
- Term Renewal: The DSO must renew the RCL each term based on new or continuing medical information. A new medical letter specifying the new dates must be submitted.
- Start/End Date: The DSO must authorize RCL in SEVIS before you begin the reduced course load. The RCL start date should be the day the DSO approves it, and the end date should correspond with the current session end date or earlier.
Copyright Policy
Textbooks and other written material fall under US copyright laws. A reminder of this mandate is posted above the photocopier at DLC. Staff will not copy written material that in any way exceeds the limitation of those copyright laws.
DLC recognizes federal law which explains that it is illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Under federal copyright law, a copyright exists in “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression for more than a transitory duration from which the work can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or a device.
It is the responsibility of the staff/faculty to abide by the requirements of the law. Severe penalties may be imposed for unauthorized copying of audiovisual or printed materials, and computer software, unless the copying or using conforms to the “fair use” doctrine.
What is “Fair Use”?
Often staff can use published works in their teaching without permission or fee according to “fair use copyright guidelines.” However, there are circumstances in which permission and/or fees are required. Sorting out what a person can or cannot do is often confusing. Fair use is a legal doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances. Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statutory framework for determining whether something is a fair use and identifies certain types of uses as examples of activities that may qualify as fair use.
In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:
(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
As a general rule a single photocopy of part of a copyrighted work, such as a copy of an article from a scientific journal made for research, is considered fair use and can be copied by a student for his or her own use. Photocopying large parts of a book recommended for purchase by the instructor, making multiple copies of articles or book chapters for distribution to classmates, or copying material from workbooks, is considered to exceed fair use and would fall under regular copyright laws.
