Author: Nadine Ashton

Credit Hours

College for Creative Studies uses credit hours as a general measure of academic work and progress toward degrees at both the Undergraduate and Graduate level. The College’s use of credit hours complies with standards established by our accrediting bodies and is consistent with generally accepted practices of peer institutions across the nation. At CCS, one credit hour represents an average of at least three hours of work each week for a period of 15 or 16 weeks. Most classes offered at CCS award three credit hours upon successful completion, hence an average of at least nine hours per week of classroom and outside work, totaling 135 hours in a 15 week semester is expected. For studio courses, three credit hours represents six hours of class time with an average of at least three hours of work outside of class each week. For lecture classes, including Liberal Arts, three credit hours represents three hours of class time with an average of at least six hours of work outside of class each week. Workloads may vary from class to class, depending upon the period during the semester, but students should expect to commit to an average of at least nine hours of classroom and outside work per week for every three credit hour class taken.

During a 15 or 16 week semester students enrolled in a three credit hour independent study or a three credit fully online course are expected to commit to at least nine hours of work per week or 135 hours. Summer courses that are offered in a condensed term are scheduled to have the same number of classroom hours as a lecture or studio class of equal credit would have over a 15 week semester. Likewise the weekly expectation of outside of class work is adjusted so that the classroom and outside work totals at least 135 hours.

Students in the undergraduate program may complete more than 3 hours of effort per credit during an elective internship, a CCS travel class or Directed Teaching.

Junior Status

A student achieves Junior Status upon earning a minimum of 60 credits, as required for Junior class level. The completion of Studio Foundations and core Liberal Arts courses is necessary to ensure progression toward degree requirements and eligibility for Junior level (or higher) courses. Students must:

Complete all 15-18 credits of Foundation courses (based on their major requirements).

Complete 15 credits of 100/200 level core Liberal Arts credits before enrolling in Junior-level departmental studio courses, including:

  • DEN 101, Composition I
  • DEN 102, Composition II
  • DVC 100, Material Visual Culture [applies to students on the 2024 catalog or later.]
  • DAH —, History of Major or other designated art history requirement (e.g. History of Advertising, Photography etc.) [applies to students on the 2022 catalog year or later.]
  • Art History Option, Choose one of the following:
    DAH 200, Western Art History/Visual Culture
    DAH 201, Visual Narration: Africa/America
    DAH 202, Visual Narration Asia

Students who do not meet Junior Status requirements by the end of their sophomore year (or later) are evaluated and may receive a “Junior Status hold” to address outstanding credits; registration approval may then be required. Each department determines which departmental courses students must complete before progressing to junior-level courses within their department.

Exceptions:

Academic Advisors or Department Chairs may grant exceptions for students with transfer credits or those in specific majors, considering degree timelines and completed credits. 

Students placed in ELS 107 are exempt from the same Junior Status Policy requirements, for Liberal Arts.

Incoming transfer students who 1) are at or near Junior Status by credits and 2) have verified completion of appropriate credits through transcript review for freshman and sophomore-level major studios will be exempt from the Junior Status Policy upon entry, in order to accommodate first-semester scheduling needs, Prerequisite or other restrictions may still apply. Holds may be applied if issues are identified during annual degree progress reviews.

Leave of Absence

A student in good academic standing may take a leave of absence of no more than four semesters and return to the College without reapplying. Undergraduate students who meet this criterion must contact the Academic Advising and Registration Office to schedule an appointment with an advisor. Graduate students who meet this criterion must contact the Dean for Graduate Studies to schedule an appointment.

After a break of more than four semesters, undergraduate students must reapply through the Academic Advising and Registration Office. Graduate students must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students are cautioned that they must satisfy the course requirements in effect at the time of their readmission; previous credits may not apply.

Academic Integrity

Introduction

College for Creative Studies adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity throughout a student’s educational experience, in both academic writing and research and in studio work. Students who violate the standards of academic integrity face serious disciplinary consequences, including letters documenting the incident in their permanent record, failure of the assignment, immediate course failure, and/or dismissal from the College.

Faculty members have a responsibility to foster a culture of creative honesty, freedom, and intellectual expression for all students. Promoting and cultivating an environment of integrity reinforces that mandate and upholds the reputation of the College and its students.

Students should make sure they that have a clear understanding of these important issues and how they apply to both Liberal Arts and studio classes. The instructor or Department Chair should be consulted for clarification on how this relates to their discipline or project.

Scope and Purpose

This statement on academic integrity applies to all undergraduate and graduate students at College for Creative Studies. Students are responsible for seeking clarification on assignments to ensure full understanding of what practices might be deemed an incidence of academic misconduct, including unethical use of language, ideas, or creative expression.

The purpose of this statement is to:

  1. Clarify the College’s expectations of academic integrity, and
  2. Outline the process to be followed if this policy is violated.

Definition

The College condones no form of dishonesty in any academic activities, whether in academic writing and research or studio work. Academic dishonesty is defined as the use of a third party’s words, ideas, visual material, or physical artifacts as one’s own original work without proper permission, citation, or other appropriate recognition of source. Any act that assists academic dishonesty is itself a violation of the academic integrity policy. 

Artists, designers, and writers draw on the work of others for reference, inspiration, and understanding. However, there is a difference between creative exploration, seeking inspiration, and considering the work of other creatives, and presenting language or ideas that are not your own without proper acknowledgement.  Students are ultimately responsible for the creative integrity of their own work. Referencing or appropriating ideas may be part of an assignment, especially for written works, but it is always up to the student to include proper citation of the original material. That said, the College understands that new technologies might provoke further questions of boundaries. Students should consult faculty members for clarification as to what practices do and do not constitute creative dishonesty.

Types of Violations

While this list is meant to address broad categories of violations, it is not meant to be exhaustive and there may be other examples deemed as violations in respect to the written policy herein.

  • Buying papers or using a third party* to  write a paper, or produce a studio project Submitting the same work in two courses without explicit permission. This could take the form of presenting all or part of work done from one course or independent study to another course requires permission of the instructor in the current course.
  • Unauthorized collaboration with other people or third party* tools. Many course activities permit and encourage collaboration. Course syllabi and in-class instructions will usually identify situations where collaboration on assignments is allowed. The student is responsible for determining whether collaboration is approved by seeking clarification from the instructor.
  • Cheating. This is a very broad category encompassing a variety of unfair or dishonest methods to gain an advantage. Examples include: copying another student’s work, unauthorized usage of third party* tools, using “crib notes” on tests, and accepting from or giving aid to another student unless authorized by the instructor.
  • Misrepresenting experience or ability. This includes providing false information concerning academic and creative achievement or background. For example: misrepresentation of technical abilities through the use of third party* tools, falsely reporting the substance of an internship, omitting transcripts, or otherwise providing false information, including submitting a falsified portfolio as part of the admission process.
  • Falsifying data or records.
  • Deleting/Destroying Student Work. All students must refrain from altering work that does not belong to them, regardless of the date the piece was created or its location. Destruction or deliberate inhibition of the progress of another student’s work is also strictly prohibited. This includes the deletion or destruction of digital files, sabotaging another student’s artwork, or destroying College property, including library materials, lab materials, and computer software, hardware, or studio space.
*Third party tools are defined as a person or artificial intelligence tool/system

Statute of Limitations

There is no statute of limitations on academic integrity violations. Academic integrity violations may be discovered and acted upon at any time during the course of a semester, after a semester has ended, and even after a student has graduated. Academic dishonesty that occurred prior to a student being admitted to CCS, and which has a bearing upon their status as a student in good standing, may also be discovered and acted upon, including but not limited to falsification of transcripts, portfolio work, or relevant experience.

Reporting Misconduct

Faculty, students, exam proctors, and administrative staff all share responsibility ensuring the honesty and fairness of the intellectual environment at CCS. It is the responsibility of every individual to report incidents of academic dishonesty to the appropriate faculty, Department Chair, exam proctor, and/or College officer.

Processes, Procedures, and Potential Outcomes

  • Faculty or staff who suspect a violation of academic integrity should immediately inform the student of the nature of the violation and advise him/her that they will not be able to withdraw from the course until the case is reviewed and resolved.
  • Faculty or staff should complete an online Academic Integrity Violation Report documenting the alleged violation. The report is sent automatically to the Office of Academic Affairs and the Academic Advising and Registration Office for recording.
  • The faculty member or staff member should identify and collect supporting evidence of the alleged violation, such as comparisons of writing samples or creative processes, witness statements, and/or forensic investigations.
  • Within seven business days of receiving the report, the chairperson of the department in which the alleged violation occurred, will notify the Office of Academic Affairs. The Office of Academic Affairs will appoint a Hearing Officer and will schedule an academic hearing to be attended by the instructor, the student, the Department Chair, and the Hearing Officer. The Student Advocate may attend the hearing, at the student’s request. No other persons will be allowed in the hearing. The Hearing Officer will chair the hearing.
  • All relevant factors, including the nature of the offense, the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting from the offense, and the student’s statement will be taken into consideration in the hearing.
  • Outcomes of the hearing will be determined by the instructor, the Department Chair, and the Hearing Officer, who will communicate the findings to the student.

Potential Outcomes

Charged Dropped- Insufficient Evidence

  • In the case of denial by the student and the impossibility of determining adequate support of the violation, the charge will be dismissed. (Determination of adequate support may include but is not limited to comparisons of writing samples or creative processes, witness statements, and/or forensic investigations.)

First Offense

  • If the work is determined or affirmed by the student to be in violation, an academic sanction will be imposed and a letter placed in the student’s file. First offense sanctions may be but are not limited to:
  • Repeating the assignment
  • Failure of the assignment
  • Failure of the course
  • Academic probation
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal from the College

Second Offense

  • Second offense sanctions may be but are not limited to:
  • Academic probation
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal from the College

Process of Record Keeping

If the work is determined or acknowledged by the student to be in violation, a letter will be placed in the student’s file in the Registrar’s Office.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

A student accused of an academic integrity violation is entitled to:

  • Review the evidence prior to the academic hearing.
  • Offer an explanation as to what occurred and present any supporting material.
  • Determine the validity of the charge without reference to any past record of misconduct.
  • Have the Student Advocate present in the hearing to ensure a fair process is granted (optional).

Appeals

Students have the right to appeal the results of an academic hearing. Appeals must be initiated in writing either via email or in hardcopy to the Office of Academic Affairs within seven business days following the findings of the academic hearing and imposition of a sanction.

The appeal will be submitted to the Committee on Academic Performance who will review it and render a final decision or conduct an appeal hearing before reaching a final decision. If the Committee is unable to meet in a timely manner, the appropriate Dean or the Provost may serve as the Hearing Officer. The appeal decision will be communicated to the student in written form and documentation will be placed in their file. The ruling of Committee on Academic Performance (or the Provost or appropriate Dean, as applicable) is final.

Declaring or Changing Majors

If you are an undeclared student and need to declare your major, or you are a student who wishes to change your major, you must:

  1. Meet with a staff advisor in the Academic Advising and Registration Office (AARO)to discuss your plans. Complete and sign the Change of Major form. It is best to make any changes before registering for the upcoming semester.
  2. Meet with the chair of the department you intend to enter and have him/her approve the transfer of any credits from your old major to the new major (if applicable) and sign and date the Change of Major Form.

    The Program Manager will forward the completed form to the Academic Advising and Registration Office.

If a student decides to change majors, all classes already taken will count in the maximum timeframe SAP evaluation. It is possible a change of major could impact your SAP standing.

Adding/Dropping Classes

Courses for which a student is enrolled at the conclusion of the Add/Drop period will be used to determine attempted courses for the Course Completion Rate. Therefore, if it is necessary to adjust one’s class schedule, it is best to do so during the Add/Drop period of the semester. Courses that are dropped after conclusion of the Add/Drop period will show a recorded grade of W, WN, or WF. This will be counted as an unsuccessfully completed course, thus lowering the student’s completion rate.

Students may use Self-Service to add or drop classes up until the last day to add a class in accordance with the academic calendar. After the last day to add a course, if a student wishes to drop a course, students must complete the online drop form that is available on the AARO Campus Office page. 

Students who drop classes during the first seven business days of classes (see Academic Calendar for specific dates) are not charged for the drop. After the seventh day, dropped classes are charged on a sliding scale and those courses will receive a grade of “W”, “WN”, or “WF”.

The academic calendar offers specific tuition reimbursement information. The last day to withdraw from a course is on the Friday of the thirteenth week of classes. No exceptions to this deadline will be made.

The College reserves the right to cancel or change classes, instructors, and schedules; to revise tuition and fee structure; and to amend College policies for the efficient operation of the College. Students are notified by the Academic Advising and Registration Office of any course changes.

Grade Appeal Process

Students who have concerns about their grades should discuss those concerns with the instructor who issued the grade. If a solution cannot be reached, the student should meet with the appropriate Department Chair to discuss and resolve the issue. If resolution still cannot be reached, students may then submit a written request for an appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs identifying the course and instructor, along with an explanation of the circumstances and reason for the request. Students must submit this documentation within 60 days after the last day of the semester in which the student was enrolled in the course. The Office of Academic Affairs will appoint a Hearing Officer (an academic Dean, the Provost, or a Department Chair other than the Department from which the appeal originates) and will schedule an academic hearing to be attended by the instructor, the student, the Department Chair, and the Hearing Officer. The Student Ombudsman may attend the hearing, at the student’s request. No other persons will be allowed in the hearing. The Hearing Officer will chair the hearing.

Students have the right to appeal the results of this hearing. These appeals must be initiated in writing either via email or in hard-copy to the Office of Academic Affairs within seven business days following the findings of the hearing. The appeal will be submitted to the Academic Performance Committee who will review it and render a final decision or conduct an appeal hearing before reaching a final decision. If the Committee is unable to meet in a timely manner, the appropriate Dean or the Provost may serve as the Hearing Officer. The appeal decision will be communicated to the student in written form and documentation will be placed in their file. The ruling of the Academic Performance Committee (or the Provost or appropriate Dean, as applicable) is final.

Grade Changes

Any grade dispute must be addressed with the instructor that issued the grade. Should the instructor agree to change the grade, he or she must complete a Grade Change Form. If the dispute is not resolved, the student may initiate the Grade Appeal Process.

Grade changes must occur within 60 days of the last day of the semester in which the student was enrolled in the course. The Office of Academic Affairs must approve all grade changes beyond a 60-day period.

Students who have a grade change or incomplete grade changed after Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) has already been processed for any semester must notify Academic Advising and Registration of the change. At that time SAP will be recalculated to determine if the SAP status needs to be modified and the Office of Academic Advising and Registration will notify the Office of Financial Aid.

Complete Withdrawal

When a withdrawal occurs (cancellation of all courses for which a student was enrolled at conclusion of the Add/Drop period of a semester), there are no successfully completed courses for the semester. This will lower your Course Completion Rate and can result in suspension and/or loss of financial aid eligibility if you already had a low course completion rate or there are consecutive withdrawals over a number of semesters.

See the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for information on how financial aid is calculated for withdrawals.