Program Policies

Deposit and Tuition Policy:
All deposits for all programs are non-refundable. For deposit and balance due dates, please see the information on tuition on each programs webpage.

Class Observation:
A variety of upper-class courses are available for prospective students to observe.

To observe a class, prospective students must:

  • Have submitted a complete application to one of CAP21's training programs.
  • Have contacted the Admissions and Recruitment office ([email protected]) to schedule a day/time.

In order to secure a nurturing environment for enrolled students, CAP21 reserves the right to restrict students from observing certain classes.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies:

2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program:
Students who withdraw from the 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program...

  • 30 days prior to the start of the semester receive a 75% refund of tuition.
  • During the first week of classes receive a 50% refund of tuition. 
  •  During the second week of classes receive a 25% refund of tuition.

There are no tuition refunds after the second week of classes. Refunds are based on full tuition per semester regardless of scholarship or financial aid awards.

Musical Theatre Industry Practicum and Showcase:
Students who withdraw from the Musical Theatre Industry Practicum and Showcase…

  • 30 days prior to the start of the semester receive a 75% refund.
  • During the first week of classes receive a 50% refund.
  • During the second week of classes receive a 25% refund.

There are no refunds after the second week of classes. Refunds are based on full tuition per semester regardless of scholarship or financial aid awards.

Summer Professional Musical Theatre Training Program:
PLEASE NOTE: All payments must be made in US dollars. Both the DEPOSIT and TUITION for the Summer Professional Musical Theatre Training Program are non-refundable.

High School Musical Theatre Training Program and Musical Theatre College Audition Prep Program:
PLEASE NOTE: All payments must be made in US dollars. Both the DEPOSIT and TUITION for the High School Musical Theatre Training Program and the Musical Theatre College Audition Prep Program are non-refundable.

Cancellation Policy for VA Students: 
A VA student may cancel the enrollment agreement at no penalty by notifying the school in writing within seven (7) days after agreement was signed provided the student has not entered into instruction.

If the VA student cancels the agreement, the school may retain $10.00 of the registration fee.

If the student withdraws or is discontinued after instruction has begun, the school may keep:

  • $10.00 of the established registration fee.  The amount in excess of $10.00 will be subject to proration.
  • The stated cost of such text books, tools, etc. as have been accepted by the student.
  • An amount based on hours of attendance – and absences – from first to last day of attendance multiplied by the prorated hourly rate of the tuition.

All money due to the eligible veteran student will be paid within 30 days.

Waiting List Policy:
Wait lists are created when a program meets maximum capacity. The proficiency expectation criteria for programs listed in the CAP21 Student Handbook and on the CAP21 website will be used to determine placement on a program's wait list. The size of the program and departmental projections will determine the number of students placed on a program's wait list. If a student is accepted into a program from the wait list, they will be notified when the position becomes available. If a student is not accepted from the wait list into a program, they will be notified at least 30 days prior to the start date of the program.

Grievance and Appeals Policy
While recognizing the importance of providing due process for all parties involved in these matters, CAP21 emphasizes the use of informal resolution to all disputes.  Both parties may continue to seek informal resolution, even after initiating formal judgment procedures. If the student's grievance cannot be resolved through informal discussion, the student may initiate a formal grievance by filling out a Student Grievance Form, which can be found in the Conservatory office. The form must be filled out and handed into the Program Director who will then have it signed by the faculty member and the chair of the department. Students will then be assigned a time to present their case to the Fairness Committee.

In the case of a grade appeal, students should contact the Program Director to resolve the matter. In the case of appeals for Financial Aid decisions, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, religion, sexual preference, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, Vietnam era veteran's status or disabling condition, the Program Director is designated as the person responsible for receiving student complaints. Student appeals relating to Financial Aid rules and regulations are directed to the Business Manager or Bursar.

The Student Grievance Form and the documentation of the informal resolution process must be submitted to the Chair of the Fairness Board (The 2-Year Professional Program Director) no later than the end of the semester following the occurrence of the action upon which it is based. Failure of the student to file a grievance by the deadline constitutes a waiver of all rights under this policy.

Credit Hour Definition:
CAP21's curriculum is comprised of three delivery formats: performance based courses, lecture courses and production courses. CAP21's semesters are 15 weeks long. Some courses meet for 15 weeks, some for 12 weeks, some for 9 weeks, some for 8 weeks, some for 7 weeks and some for 6 weeks. CAP21 uses a credit hour formula to measure student course work and student learning achievement. Courses may have an in-class and out-of-class component. The value of a credit hour is determined by the amount of weekly contact hours (in-class time) and preparatory hours (out-of-class time). 

The following articulates CAP21's formula for assigning credit as per each course delivery format utilized in the curriculum:

  • Courses which meet for 15 semester weeks: 3 contact/preparatory hours = 1 credit hour (of the 3 work hours, a minimum of 1 hour must be of direct faculty instruction).
  • For courses which meet 12 weeks of the semester, the total number of contact (in-class)/preparatory (out-of-class) hours of each course are divided by 15 to determine the number of hours per week the course would meet if it met 15 weeks of semester. The credit formula for courses which meet for 15 semester weeks (3 contact/preparatory hours = 1 credit hour, of the 3 work hours, a minimum of 1 hour must be of direct faculty instruction) is then applied to determine the credit assignment for the course.

  •          For courses which meet 9 weeks, 8 weeks,7 weeks or 6 weeks of the semester, the total number of contact (in-class)/preparatory (out-of-class) hours of each course are divided by 15 to determine the number of hours per week the course would meet if it met 15 weeks of semester. The credit formula for courses which meet for 15 semester weeks (3 contact/preparatory hours = 1 credit hour, of the 3 work hours, a minimum of 1 hour must be of direct faculty instruction) is then applied to determine the credit assignment for the course.

For information regarding College Credit recommendations click here.

CAP21 Procedures for Determining Credit Hour Assignment

      Course Development: Department Chairs work with faculty to develop and evaluate the syllabi for each course. The course syllabi must document the amount of, and/or combination of, contact (in-class, face-to face) hours and preparatory (out-of-class) hours. Preparatory hours may include reading, research papers, essays, listening assignments, homework assignments, personal/partner rehearsals, or any other activity appropriate for the course.

  • Course Review:  The syllabus for each course is submitted to the Curriculum Committee for review. The Curriculum Committee is chaired by the CAP21 Conservatory Director and comprised of the following full-time CAP21 staff members: Executive Artistic Director, Chair of Acting Department, Chair of Voice and Music Department, Vice-Chair of Voice and Music, Dance Department Coordinator, Associate Conservatory Director, and Industry Practicum Director.

Each course syllabi is examined and evaluated for the following components:

  • Instructional format: CAP21's curriculum currently utilizes three formats for instruction: Performance Based courses, Lecture Courses and Production courses.
  • Contact (in-class) Time/Preparatory (out-of-class)Time: Credit hour assignments are defined based on the amount of weekly contact and/or preparatory hours, the number of weeks the course meets in the semester and the application of the Credit Hour Definition.
  • Evaluation Mechanisms: For each course students must be evaluated on approximately ten different areas of skill per course which are factored into a final course grade.
  • The Conservatory Director is responsible for ensuring that each course complies with credit hour standards, certifying that student learning for the course meets CAP21 regulations for credit hours, and that the credit assigned to a course is appropriate for the skills, knowledge and competencies included in each course.
  • The Conservatory Director monitors the development of each semester's course schedule and works closely with the Conservatory Coordinator-Registrar and the Associate Conservatory Director to ensure that each course is the appropriate length and complies with CAP21's credit hour policy.

Transfer of Credit Policy
The following requirements must be met for transfer credit to be awarded:

  • Students who wish to transfer credit (s) must complete a Transfer of Credit Request Form and submit it to the Conservatory Registrar. (NOTE: If students are requesting a transfer of credit for more than one course, only one Transfer of Credit Request Form needs to be completed).
  • A syllabus for the course (s) for which a transfer of credit (s) is requested must be submitted to the Conservatory Registrar.
  • Transfer credits must be from an accredited institution or association recognized by the US Secretary of Education.
  • Students must have achieved a satisfactory grade (75% or higher) in the course(s) for which a transfer of credit is requested.
  • Credits awarded for a non-letter grade (pass/fail) are not transferable.
  • Students may be required to complete a written knowledge assessment test for each course  that  transfer credit is requested. (NOTE: An oral sight-singing assessment test is also required for Applied Music Theory I and Applied Music Theory II).
  • Students must achieve a grade of 88% or higher (B+) on written knowledge assessment tests - to be awarded a transfer of credit.
  • Applications and all materials must be received at least four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes.

Transfer of Credit Requests will be reviewed and evaluated by the appropriate department chair to determine if the previous course (s) is reasonably equivalent in content, level and rigor to the coursework in CAP21's curriculum, and if students have attained appropriate levels of achievement.

Grades in courses for which credit has been transferred from other institutions will not be calculated into a student's grade point average. In lieu of a final course grade, TCR will appear on the student's official transcript for courses which have been awarded a credit transfer.

Cancellation Policy:
CAP21 reserves the right to cancel or adjust any class due to low enrollment.

Dress Code:

  • For Acting/Musical Theatre/Company:  Please wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement.  No flip flops. 
  • For Dance: Please wear leotards, tights, and appropriate cover-ups with no holes or writing.