Author: Nadine Ashton

First Year Experience

The First Year Experience is a comprehensive transitional 1 credit hour course that begins the week prior to classes and continues throughout the first semester. It explores topics and issues that are pertinent to the success of students at CCS as well as building social interaction with faculty, staff and upper class students.

Passing this course is required for all freshmen (excluding transfer students with more than 12 transferable credit hours from an accredited U.S. institution) in order to move on to sophomore level classes.

Course Overload

A class schedule containing more than 18 credit hours in one semester is considered a course overload. Students who wish to register for an overload must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and must be in good academic standing. Permission to take above 18 credit hours in one semester is granted by the academic advisor.

Class Level

Undergraduate Students

Class level is determined at the time of admission and at the end of each subsequent semester during which the student is enrolled based on the number of credits earned. Degree-seeking students are classified as follows:

For students following the 2024/2025 catalog year (or later):

  • Freshmen up to 29.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Sophomores 30 – 59.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Juniors 60 – 89.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Seniors 90 or more credits completed or in progress

For students following the 2023/2024 catalog year (or prior):

  • Freshmen up to 29.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Sophomores 30 – 62.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Juniors 63 – 92.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Seniors 93 or more credits completed or in progress

All students, regardless of catalog year, will be eligible for assigned priority registration following the class levels defined for the 2024/2025 guidelines. 

Financial Aid eligibility will factor in a student’s current assigned catalog year to determine class level. 

Graduate Students

Class level is determined at the time of admission and at the end of each subsequent semester during which the student is enrolled based on the number of credits earned. Degree-seeking students are classified as follows:

  • First Year up to 29.5 credits completed or in progress
  • Second Year 30 – 60 credits completed or in progress

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

The following information is for students who are in their junior or senior year of high school and are interested in CCS Dual Enrollment. There are two options.

Option 1

Students are recommended to work with their high school counselor to see if they are eligible for Dual Enrollment through their school district. If so, the following items are required to be submitted to CCS Continuing and Precollege Studies prior to enrollment.

  • Completed Dual Enrollment application form and check list
  • 5-8 digital images of the students art work (portfolio)
  • Letter/documentation from high school counselor that student is eligible
  • Promise to pay letter from your School District

Option 2

Students that are not eligible for Dual Enrollment through their high school, but are still interested are required to submit the following items.

  • Completed Dual Enrollment application form and check list
  • 5-8 digital images of the students art work (portfolio)
  • Full payment at the time of registration (once student has been granted permission by the department to enroll.)

Due to coordinating a number of items when applying for Dual Enrollment, students are recommended to submit their application, portfolio and payment prior to the following dates:

  • November 15 for Winter semester (classes meeting January – May)
  • May 15 for Fall semester (classes meeting September – December)

Dual Enrolled High School Students are subject to ALL policies that apply to CCS degree seeking students including but not limited to attendance policy, payment due dates, withdrawal/refund policies, withdrawal procedures and policies. See the Dual Enrollment Packet for more information.

Once students are enrolled they will receive the following information in the mail: course confirmation, parking hang tag for CCS parking structure, CCS Student ID, billing receipt if applicable. Students will receive additional information prior to the course start via email. That information will include: course syllabus, material list, student login and password for Blackboard to access course information on line, and any additional information regarding the course.

Any questions regarding dual enrollment can be directed to the Continuing and Precollege Studies office at pcs@collegeforcreativestudies.edu or 313.664.7456

Internship Program

The Internship Program allows qualified students to earn academic credit while gaining first-hand experience in their chosen fields. Internships are available to BFA students with a junior or senior ranking and MFA students who completed one year of course work– although it is never too early to begin researching opportunities.  

Benefits Students Gain by Participating in an Internship

  • Using classroom skills in a real-world employment situation
  • Learning new skills from professionals in one’s chosen field
  • Gaining first-hand work experience prior to graduation
  • Networking with professionals, which may lead to future employment opportunities

Steps to Pursue an Internship for Credit 

Internships for credit are intended to replace a studio or elective course in your major. Course placement will be determined and approved by the department chair.  Students may earn 3 or 6 credits for an internship, depending on internship structure and contact hours.

BFA Requirements:  

  • Student must be a Junior or Senior in studio courses.   
  • Student must meet the College’s Junior Status Policy requirements.  
  • Student interns must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. 
  • Portfolio Approval Form signed by Department Chair or full-time faculty member.
  • All students pursuing an internship must have their portfolio approved by their department chair or full-time faculty member. 

MFA Requirements:  

  • Complete one year of course work.
  • Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better.
  • Portfolio Approval Form signed by Department Chair or full-time faculty member.
  • All students pursuing an internship must have their portfolio approved by their department chair or full-time faculty member.

Students may search for internships in the following ways:

  • Visit CCS Handshake to view internships and jobs that have been vetted by the Office of Partnerships 
  • Job Search sites such as the ones listed in the Additional Resources section on the  Office of Partnerships departmental page
  • Visit websites of companies of interest to research internship opportunities and the application process.  
  • Schedule an appointment with the Office of Partnerships if additional assistance is needed.   

Once you have secured your internship location:

Considerations:

  • For credit internships are only $450 for 3 credits.
  • A student may take ONE 6-credit internship or TWO 3-credit internships. 
  • The contact hour requirement for a three-credit internship is 135 hours over the course of the semester; six-credit internships require 270 contact hours over the course of the semester.
  • You must register for your internship when you register for classes. The last day to add a class is the same for internships. Contact the Office of Partnerships to get the paperwork necessary to register for a for credit internship.

Requirements:

BFA
  • Must get approval from your Department Chair
  • Portfolio approval form required on file
  • Must be a Junior or Senior in studio courses
  • Must  meet the College’s Junior Status Policy 
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
MFA
  • Must have  have approval from your Department Chair
  • Portfolio approval form required on file
  • Must complete one year of course work
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

    Onboarding Process:

    • Share an update with your Chair to identify a Faculty Supervisor
    • Share an update with your Academic Advisor for credit approval 
    • Collaborate with Office of Partnerships to complete necessary paperwork:
      • Portfolio Approval Form (if needed)
      • Internship Site Information Form and Learning Contract (In collaboration with your Internship Site Supervisor)  Link to form: Fillalble Internship Site Information Sheet AND Learning Contract
      • Provide GPA, Student ID, name of faculty supervisor and which course will be replaced with Office of Partnerships
    • Review Internship Handbook and Canvas Requirements:
    • Internship Handbook 2022
    • Provide Weekly Journal Entries
    • Two check-ins with Faculty Supervisor
    • Final Presentation with Faculty Supervisor
    • Submit all information to Office of Partnerships before drop/add date each semester

    For more information contact Shannon McPartlon – smcpartlon@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

    Internship Cost and Billing

    Internships for credit are billed at a lower per-credit hour rate ($150 per credit hour) than other CCS coursework. 

    All enrolled courses, including internship courses for credit, will be billed the same tuition rate .  The Financial Aid Office will be notified that a student is taking an internship for credit and will apply the Internship Grant to the students account, reducing the internship course cost to $150.00 per credit hour or $450.00 for a 3-credit internship course or $900.00 for a 6-credit internship course. 

    A student can review their semester billing statement through Self Service and contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss any further financial aid eligibility. 

    Steps to Pursue a Non-Credit Internship

    Non-credit internships are another option for students to pursue a professional experience. Non-credit internships do not require a specific GPA, class standing or a mandated number of contact hours.  There is no tuition cost for a non-credit internship and there is no limit on the number of non-credit internship opportunities that a student can take.

    Students who will be on hiatus or enrolled less than 6 credits during their internship should contact the Financial Aid Office in order to fully understand any financial implications.

    Exhibitions

    Reason for Policy

    As an educational institution dedicated to nurturing the highest level of creativity both inside the classroom and out, College for Creative Studies (CCS) wholeheartedly supports the ability of students, faculty, staff, and invited guests to display their work on campus and other venues as may be appropriate. This policy provides guidelines for review, display, oversight, and other considerations of work exhibited under the College’s auspices to ensure, among other things, safety, security, suitability, and the right to freedom of expression.

    Scope

    The CCS Exhibition Policy is administered by the Faculty Advisory Committee of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in consultation with the College administration. It is guided by the College’s Statement on Freedom of Expression, which holds that the free exploration, display, and exchange of ideas is fundamental to a democratic society, even, and perhaps especially, those that are considered controversial. At the same time, it recognizes that the right to free expression requires an ethical responsibility on the part of those who create these works, and their educators (as applicable), to consider where they may be displayed and with respect for the audiences who may encounter them. This exhibition policy specifically addresses those venues dedicated for the display of creative work, both on campus and off, sanctioned by the College. It does not bind CCS to sanction expressions carried out in situations beyond its control.

    Guiding Principles

    The presentation of creative work is fundamental to the educational mission of the College in fostering and promoting research, development, creation, and promulgation of knowledge in the arts and culture among its various and diverse audiences. The specific method and process by which work comes to be displayed under the auspices of College may differ, depending on the venue and the function. However, all work presented to the public under the College’s auspices is curated, which is to say that it undergoes a process overseen by the appropriate staff (i.e., full-time faculty, gallery directors, and/or other staff with the requisite authority) to ensure its suitability for display. The specific procedures and responsibilities for the various exhibition spaces and presentation activities are detailed in the “Venues” section that follows. The College retains the authority to make the final determination on which works are displayed, how they are displayed, and where they are displayed at College-sanctioned venues and special exhibitions.

    Venues and Programs

    The College has many spaces where creative work may be displayed. These include formally curated spaces as well as those that are improvised, temporary, or less deliberate. In each case, the purpose of the work being displayed and the audience that may encounter it must be taken into account.

    Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs

    CCS has a number of venues and programs organized under the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs. Below are the specific spaces and programs administered by the Office, as well as the procedures and responsibilities for each:

    • CCS Center Galleries: A curated space that presents a range of changing, high-quality exhibitions of local, regional, and international contemporary art and design, as well as public programs. The gallery accepts proposals from the CCS community and other constituents. Exhibitions are selected and scheduled by the Director of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Committee. Located in the Manoogian Visual Resources Center.
    • Alumni and Faculty Hall: Devoted to exhibitions featuring CCS alumni, faculty, and staff, who may propose them or be invited by the Director of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs. Exhibitions are selected and scheduled by the Director of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Committee. Located in the MVRC in the hallway next to CCS Center Galleries.
    • Permanent Collection Gallery (also known as the Student Showcase): Dedicated to exhibitions of the College’s permanent collection. Located in the hallway off the rear entrance to MVRC.
    • Permanent Student Exhibition: Rotating exhibition of work by current CCS students from all undergraduate departments. Work is selected by the Department Chairs. Located in the MVRC near the front entrance.
    • U245 Student Gallery: A student-run exhibition space dedicated to the display of current CCS student work from all departments. Work is selected from a call for proposals by the student gallery manager in consultation with the U245 Faculty Advisor. Located on the first floor of the Art Centre Building.
    • The Valade Family Gallery: A venue for art in all of its multitudinous forms intended to foster dialogue among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community at large on a variety of issues of contemporary art and design. This space is particularly dedicated to supporting the educational mission of the College’s academic departments and offers a combination of curated and proposed exhibitions as determined by the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Committee. Located on the first floor of the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education (TC)
    • Garfield Windows: Highlights a range of work by CCS students and alumni in reproduction form for the benefit of the public to help raise awareness of the College and promote its activities. Installation of work is overseen by the Director of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs and the Marketing Department. The windows are located on the first floor of the Garfield Building on Woodward Avenue.
    • Woodward Lecture Series: This visiting speaker series has attracted over 100 renowned artists, critics, and scholars to Detroit since 1998. In addition to public lectures, Woodward Lecturers directly engage with CCS students through critiques and round-table discussions, fostering a greater understanding of and appreciation for contemporary art and culture. Lecturers are curated by the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in collaboration with the Faculty Advisory Committee.

    Office of Academic Affairs

    The Office of Academic Affairs oversees a number of activities to support its pedagogical mission for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and, where appropriate, the public.

    • Classrooms/Studios: The College recognizes classrooms and studios as laboratories for investigation of a broad range of issues to further students’ creative development. Ideas presented in these spaces may be in the process of formation and subject to critique by peers, faculty, and other advisors. As such, work in process may find expression in these spaces that might need to be refined or discussed prior to being presented to the broader public. The College recognizes the right and the need for students to conduct investigations that may make some uncomfortable. At the same time, the College calls upon all concerned to exhibit respect for one another in their presentation and discussion of this work.
    • Hubs/Hallways: CCS has a number of spaces outside of classrooms that are thresholds between areas devoted to instruction and experimentation and those where the public has access and therefore may encounter the work of students in progress. The chair and faculty of each department select the work that is displayed in these areas. Judgment should be used on what to display in these areas for any period of time.
    • Toyota Lecture Series: Established through an endowment gift from Toyota Motor Company, the series brings prominent designers, critics, entrepreneurs, and scholars in all fields of design to speak at CCS. In addition to public lectures, the Toyota Lecture Series directly engages with CCS students through critiques, roundtable discussions, and workshops. Speakers are selected through a call for nominations, which are reviewed and approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.
    • Special lectures, workshops, and residencies: From time to time, special lectures and workshops presented by visiting artists and designers and other onsite activities may take place where work is presented and discussed. These activities may be in a single department or include multiple departments and may or may not be open to the public depending on the specific circumstance. These activities are approved by the Department Chair(s).

    Special Exhibitions

    The College regularly presents a variety of special exhibitions of student work in support of its educational mission, as well to showcase that work for the benefit of the public. Faculty and staff also exhibit their work at various venues on campus and off as part of their professional practice.

    • Annual CCS Student Exhibition: Opening the day after Spring Commencement, the Annual Student Exhibition showcases work by undergraduate and graduate students in all majors, including Foundation and Liberal Arts. The chair and faculty of each department are responsible for determining all work that is to be included in the Student Exhibition in that department’s section and overseeing its installation. See the Appendix: CCS Annual Student Exhibition Jury Procedures by Department for specific department guidelines. The exhibition is located at the Taubman Center, floors 8-11.
    • Winter Commencement Student Exhibition: All students graduating in December are given the opportunity to exhibit in the Annual CCS Student Exhibition. However, they are also given an opportunity to exhibit a more limited sampling of their work on the evening of December Commencement. Seniors wishing to exhibit in the Winter Commencement Exhibition must apply to the Department Chair by the due date and follow the procedures as set forth in the Appendix. The exhibition is located at the Taubman Center, Knight Gallery.
    • North American International Auto Show: Each January, CCS sponsors a booth at the North American International Auto Show to showcase the work of students in the Transportation Design Department and raise awareness among industry peers, the general public, and prospective students of the College as a global leader in design education. Work for the display is chosen by the Department Chair, the Provost, and the President. Location: Cobo Hall.
    • Other (student, faculty, staff): From time to time, students, faculty, and staff participate in exhibitions, presentations, and other activities at a wide range of venues, including museums, galleries, symposia, and more. Some, such as the Art Practice Department “One Night Stand,” are done under the College’s auspices whereas others, such as participation in a juried exhibition at a commercial gallery, are not. Presentations undertaken to represent the College are covered by this Exhibition Policy and the College’s Statement on the Freedom of Expression. Those undertaken independently are not. The College respects the right of students, faculty, and staff to put their creative expressions in the public domain, with the understanding that they may not reflect the views of the College, and CCS will not be held liable for their reception.

    Environmental Concerns at CCS Venues

    • Traffic Flow: No artwork is allowed to block access to exits or entrances in any way.
    • Physical Hazard: Any installation must be secured in such a way that no one can be injured. Nothing must be allowed to fall down, tip over, or spill. No work is allowed to hang from water or electrical pipes.
    • Air Quality: To protect members of the public have allergies, asthma, or are otherwise chemically sensitive. Displays should not give off dust, fumes, vapors, scents, etc., that maybe toxic or an irritant.
    • Electrical: Electrical wiring needs to be of an appropriate gauge. Equipment must be protected from overheating. Use only heavy duty extension cords, and do not string extension cords together.
    • Technology: Exhibitions incorporating technology must be approved by the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs in consultation with the CCS Department of Information Technology Services. In the case of the CCS Annual Student Exhibition, all requests for technological support must be submitted through the respective department and approved by the Office of Information Technology Services. Student are not allowed to provide their own technology without prior written approval.
    • Perishable Items, live plants, live animals, body fluids: Some items (perishable or not) may only be used within limited constraints and must be approved by the proper College authorities. Situations that breed disease, foul odors, or insects will not be allowed.
    • Fire Hazards: Flammable or combustible material must be protect from ignition.
    • Graffiti/Vandalism: CCS supports a broad range of opportunities for expression for students, faculty, and staff to express their creative vision through exhibitions, performances, and other programs that may engage the broader community on and off campus. While some forms of graffiti have gained recognition as a viable form of creative expression, the College considers defacement of public or private property to be vandalism, not artwork. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to seek the appropriate permission to create works of art in the public realm. Those who commit vandalism on or off campus are subject to disciplinary action, which can range from remediation of the site and/or paying for damages up to dismissal. In addition to discipline by the College, individuals committing acts of vandalism may be subject to civil legal action by property owners and criminal prosecution for their actions.

    Liability

    The College assumes no responsibility for student work displayed in College venues or special exhibitions. Special exhibitions at CCS Center Galleries and the Valade Family Gallery and the CCS Permanent Collection may be covered by the College’s liability insurance policy. See the Director of the Office of Exhibitions and Public Programs for conditions that may apply.

    Departmental Policies

    Each department at CCS has established procedures for the display of work under their individual auspices. These procedures must be consistent with the principles and procedures detailed in this document. See the Appendix: CCS Annual Student Exhibition Jury Procedures by Department for specific department guidelines. The College retains the right to supersede departmental policies if it is deemed to be in its best interest to do so.

    Freedom of Expression

    The mission of the College for Creative Studies asserts that we embrace excellence, ethical action, and social responsibility in all aspects in the practice of art, design, and scholarship. To adequately support this mission, CCS must preserve freedom of expression in all its forms. Freedom of expression is essential to basic human dignity. It ensures that members of the CCS community (students, faculty, staff and guests invited by the College) are at liberty to develop their creative abilities to the fullest extent.

    CCS supports the rights of its community members to research and create using all forms of expression. It supports the right to express one’s views publicly as well as privately at venues and in activities both on and off campus.

    The CCS community recognizes that creative expression by its very nature may be provocative. To encourage healthy debate, members of the CCS community and guests must demonstrate respect for the right of others to express views which they find disagreeable or offensive. Likewise members of the CCS community must be sensitive to the various audiences who may encounter their work.

    That being said, CCS also notes that this freedom is not absolute. In certain circumstances, the institution may restrict expression, for example, that violates the law, is harassing or defamatory, invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or does not meet curatorial standards. Moreover, the institution may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College.

    Computer and Technology Requirements – Graduate Students

    Graduate students enrolling at the College for Creative are required to own or purchase a laptop computer for their studies. The website information provides the hardware configuration and software requirements. Students will also have access to computers in the Graduate Lab and other sites on campus that will provide access to software.

    Be sure to use your educational discount available at Apple Stores or the Apple online educational store and at Dell online with a letter of acceptance or school ID. For software, please visit the CCS bookstore or contact the bookstore at 313.664.5020 for the most competitive educational pricing on software bundles for your initial purchase and for any additional software needs.

    Academic Evaluation

    Students should review their academic evaluation at the end of each semester. A copy of the academic evaluation may be obtained through WebAdvisor or the Academic Advising and Registration Office. The academic evaluation identifies academic progress made toward a degree. Courses are identified by alpha letters indicating progress:

    • “C” next to a course indicates course completion
    • “I” indicates a course in progress
    • “N” is a course not started
    • “P” is a course pending completion of unfinished activity

    Other Courses

    In the academic evaluation there is an “other courses” section at the end of the evaluation. Courses that are not applying to the student’s major will default into this area. These courses normally default into this area if a student has changed their major and the old course is not applicable to the new major. Students can speak with their department chair about having these courses applied to their current program. Students will also see courses that they’ve withdrawn from or failed into this section. These courses are not applying to the students current degree program.

    Academic advisors routinely review academic evaluations to ensure progress is being made. Students with questions should contact the Academic Advising and Registration Office.

    Honors/With Distinction

    Honors

    Undergraduate students who have shown outstanding achievement by attaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and above are graduated with honors. Those who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 and above are graduated with high honors

    With Distinction

    Graduate students who have shown outstanding achievement by attaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 and above are graduated with distinction. Those who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 and above are graduated with high distinction.

    Related Policies

    Dean’s and President’s List

    Grading