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Find a Location

Academy of Art University has 1 locations, listed below.

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    Business ProfileforAcademy of Art University

    College and University

    At-a-glance

    Customer Reviews

    1/5stars

    Average of 3 Customer Reviews

    Customer Complaints

    2 complaints closed in last 3 years

    2 complaints closed in last 12 months

    Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating

    Reasons for BBB Rating

    Related Categories

    Overview

    This company offers AA, BFA and MFA degrees, certificate programs and online study in the arts - design, fashion, performing, graphics, firm and TV, Music, and computer.

    Business Details

    Location of This Business
    79 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105-3410
    BBB File Opened:
    3/13/1995
    Years in Business:
    95
    Business Started:
    1/1/1929
    Business Started Locally:
    1/1/1929
    Number of Employees:
    2500
    Business Management
    • Ms. Rachel Lee, COO
    • Ms. Elisa Stephens, President
    Contact Information

    Principal

    • Ms. Elisa Stephens, President

    Customer Contact

    • Ms. Rachel Lee, COO
    • Ms. Claire Dietrich, Customer Contact
    • Ms. Elisa Stephens, President
    • Mr. Mark Jusino, Customer Contact
    • Mr. H. Nathan Berneman, Customer Contact
    • Grievance Dept., Manager
    Additional Contact Information

    Phone Numbers

    Email Addresses

    Customer Complaints

    2 Customer Complaints

    Need to file a complaint? BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

    File a Complaint

    Most Recent Customer Complaint

    03/23/2024

    Complaint Type:
    Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    I am filing this complaint against the Academy of Art University for committing EDUCATIONAL FRAUD against me as a paying student, between the time frames of February 2020-December, 2020; February, 2021- December, 2021; February, 2022-December, 2022; and September-December, 2023. This school incorrectly, and fraudulently admitted me into their MA in Animation program, without requiring me to have ANY previous, or prior experience in *********************** which I told them specifically I did not have, and wanted to make sure it was NOT required before I attended their program. They assured me it was not, yet once I was admitted, they put me in classes that were no where near appropriate for my beginning skill level, and they forced me to be in classes that was "way too hard" and too advanced for me every time. They charged me for classes that they said were taught with the "best" most recent software, yet the classes were actually taught on software that was many years old, over 4 or 5 years behind. They told me to use the FREE service on ******* to learn things instead of teach me themselves, and they robbed me of a quality education while taking my borrowed tuition money every semester; putting me in courses that were many years ahead, and way too advanced for me, so I could not succeed in them. After many years of complaining to them, they suggested I write and file a "Grievance" to get my money back, and I ended up writing and filing TWO total in 2022, and 2023; but then they then denied all of the Grievances that I filed asking for my FULL Tuition money back, and they are refusing to cooperate with me and see how they have wronged me here, and that I am a victim of *********al FRAUD by them. I have a claim/case pending with the ***** of ********* for the first Grievance, and recently added my 2nd Grievance to this claim too; I want all of the money I borrowed to attend their school paid back to me; and I want you to warn students to NOT attend their school.

    Customer Reviews

    3 Customer Reviews

    What do you think? Share your review.

    How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

    Start a Review

    Most Recent Customer Review

    Brandon C

    1 star

    09/19/2023

    I think this school is suspicious. Enrolling into this school is a headache. Their financial aid sounds like a scam. I think Academy of arts university should be investigated and closed for stealing peoples money and leaving students in debt.

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