Emerson’s Los Angeles program will hold classes entirely online in the spring semester, an extension of fall semester protocols, administrators announced in an email to students, faculty, and staff set to participate in the program.

While college officials are still trying to obtain clearance to reopen the LA campus for in-person housing, classes will be held online for the duration of the semester due to rising coronavirus cases in LA County. California became just the second state in the U.S. to surpass one million total infections on Thursday, and LA County reported 3,780 new infections on Saturday alone. The county remains in tier one of the state’s classifications for coronavirus risk, meaning infections are “widespread.” 

“In light of [the rising infection rate in LA county], all classes at ELA in the Spring will be once again offered fully online, using synchronous and asynchronous tools, for the duration of the semester,” the email reads. “If and when we are able to open the ELA campus for residences and on-campus services or activities, we will do so.”

The ELA program, a popular attraction for Emerson seniors, offers students an array of unique courses and internship opportunities in the field of their choice. In an email sent on Oct. 23, administrators told students they anticipate most internships will be offered virtually in the spring. 

LA County officials have yet to make a final decision on whether or not the Hollywood campus will be able to reopen for housing. 

The county would need to exit tier one and stay in tier two, classified as “substantial” spread, in order for schools to reopen for in-person learning. The earliest LA county could exit tier one is in four weeks, according to the email. 

College officials moved fall semester courses online in September, after their request to reopen the LA campus was denied by county officials. The only students currently occupying the campus are resident assistants who moved in prior to the shift to virtual courses.