Academic Probation and Suspension – Graduate Students

Academic progress is monitored at the end of each semester. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to be considered in good academic standing.

If a student has less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA, he/she/they is placed on academic probation for a period of one semester. If the student fails to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the academic probation semester, he or she is suspended from the College.

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, students have the option to request that their grade(s) be changed to P/NC (Pass/No Credit) for the Winter 2020, Fall 2020, and Winter 2021 semesters. Please see the Pass/No Credit – Winter 2020 and Pass/No Credit – 2020 – 2021 Academic Year policies for more details.

Notification of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

Students who do not meet the College’s academic standards will be notified, by the Registrar, in writing via a letter sent to the preferred address on file. This letter will provide information about the requirements for students placed on academic probation or the process for readmission if the student has been suspended from the College.

Academic Probation Policy

Students, who fail to meet the 3.0 cumulative grade point average requirement, are placed on academic probation for one semester. Students on academic probation will be required to follow an Academic Success Plan. Students who do not exit academic probation status at the end of the subsequent semester will be suspended from the College.

Appeal Process for Academic Suspension

Students may appeal their academic suspension from the College by submitting an appeal letter to the Registrar. Appeals should be based on circumstances beyond the student’s control such as, injury or illness, death of a relative, or other special circumstances. The appeal must explain the failure to make satisfactory progress and what has changed that will allow satisfactory progress in the future.

The faculty Academic Performance Committee will review the appeal and within 30 days, the student will receive a letter from the Registrar, on behalf of the Academic Performance Committee, describing the outcome of the appeal hearing.

Appeal Approved

A student who successfully appeals the status of suspension and whose appeal is granted will be placed on Continued Academic Probation and will be required to follow an Academic Success Plan. This status is limited to one semester only. At the end of that semester, a student on Continued Academic Probation will have his/her academic progress reviewed and must be meeting the academic standards. If a student fails to meet these standards, the student is returned to the status of suspension.

Readmission After Academic Suspension

Students applying for readmission after academic suspension, must complete the Application for Readmission, attach the $50 Readmission Fee, and address the problems that led to the academic suspension and put forth the case for their success upon returning to CCS. This information must be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the Application for Readmission. The Committee on Academic Performance will review appeals for readmission after academic suspension. If approved, the student’s academic standing would carry the status of “Continued Academic Probation.”

Graduate Credit Transfer Policy

Updated June 2024

All transfer credits are evaluated for relevance to the College’s programs and policies. Grades earned at another institution are not factored into the calculation of cumulative grade point average at CCS. The College makes every effort to ensure you get credit for your past graduate-level work, subject to the following conditions:

  • Coursework taken in the United States must have been completed at a college or university accredited by one of the following regional associations of schools and colleges—Middle States (MSCHE), New England (NECHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Northwest (NWCCU), Southern (SACSCOC), Western (WASC)—or by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). International programs and institutions with non-regional accreditation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • For coursework completed outside of the United States, College for Creative Studies requires all transfer students to obtain a professional course-by-course evaluation of all college or university-level work from a professional credential evaluation service like National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) membership.
  • Courses noted on a transcript as transferred from prior institutions will not be considered for transfer credit. An official transcript must be submitted to CCS from any institution(s) attended before transfer credit can be awarded.
  • Courses awarded transfer credit are recorded in permanent academic records. Grades of approved courses are not factored into the calculation of a student’s cumulative grade point average at CCS.
  • Credit will not be awarded for undergraduate level coursework.
  • Approval of transfer credit is at the discretion of program chairs, following, if applicable, a review of the applicant’s portfolio, or other relevant works. Courses must meet the majority of the learning outcomes required by the equivalent course at CCS to be approved.
  • The number of possible credit transfers for each program is as follows:
    • For the MFA in Interdisciplinary Design Studies, students may transfer up to 30 credits) from a graduate program towards the 60 credits required to complete a two  year MFA. For all other MFA degrees, students can transfer up to 9 credits.
    • For all MA design degrees, students can transfer up to 6 credit hours from a graduate program towards the 30 credits required to complete the one-year MA.
    • Note: A limited number of transfer credits to the MA in Art Education is possible if directly aligned to the learning outcomes of any online courses being replaced. Transfer credit is not possible in lieu of summer residence classes.
    • Eligibility for additional credit is determined on a case-by-case basis and will depend on factors such as the alignment of the transferred coursework with the CCS curriculum, the academic rigor of the courses, and the demonstrated proficiency of the student in those subjects. Students should contact the Program Chair to initiate a comprehensive evaluation of their previous coursework.
  • Up to 3 courses (nine credits) completed at the Graduate level as part of a CCS Bachelor of Fine Arts program may be applicable for transfer upon approval.
  • Transfer credits may be awarded for courses with a grade of B (3.0) or higher and completed within 10 years of the time of application.
  • Courses taken at an institution on a quarter or term academic calendar are converted to semester hours before being applied to CCS course requirements.
  • CCS must receive all official final transcripts, along with any supporting documentation or portfolio artifacts required for evaluation and placement of transfer credit
    • before the end of the student’s 1st week of classes (for new/incoming students)
    • within a month of completing the course(s) intended for transfer (for current students)

Frequently Asked Transfer Questions

What Is An Official Transcript?

Only transcripts mailed directly from your previous institution(s) to CCS, as well as transcripts sent directly to you and forwarded to CCS in the original sealed envelope, are considered official. Transcripts received by CCS from a certified digital document service such as Parchment or Clearinghouse are all considered official.

What If My Previous College Was On a Different Academic Calendar?

For in-person programs, CCS operates on a semester academic calendar of two fifteen-week long terms. Colleges operating outside the US, as well as those utilizing alternate units of credit, such as a ‘unit’ or a ‘quarter hour’- an academic calendar consisting of 3-4 main terms spanning 10 to 11 weeks per year- will need to be assessed to determine transferability. Since ‘quarter hour’ terms are shorter, a quarter ‘credit hour’ will require less instructional time. For this reason, students seeking transfer credit from intuitions that operate on a quarter-hour calendar (or other alternate structure) may have their courses combined to equal the instruction time and learning outcomes required in the equivalent CCS course.

*The low residency  MA in Art Education utilizes the 8 week summer semesters for resident courses. The MA in User Experience Design (Distance Ed) operates with 8 compressed 7-week terms for accelerated completion.

How Long Will It Take To Complete My Degree?

In-person MA and MFA degrees are offered in full- and part-time mode. A full-time MFA degree may be completed in two years, and typically takes four years in part-time mode. The MFA in Interdisciplinary Design Studies can be taken in half that time if 30 credits are transferred (see above).  A full-time MA degree takes one year to complete, two years in part-time mode.

The MA in Art Education is a low-residency program lasting 26 months. It runs over seven semesters (including three short summer semesters). Students attend campus for four weeks each July.

The MA in User Experience Design (Distance Ed.) is fully online, and takes 18 months to complete. It comprises 8 condensed 7-week courses for accelerated learning.

New students seeking clarification on time required to complete their degree at CCS should follow up with their Academic Adviser and/or Department Chair after receiving their Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE). Current students should meet with their Academic Adviser to review their degree audit for an understanding of remaining requirements and time required to complete them.

What If I Want To Change Majors

Students wishing to change their graduate design major, or mode of study, should refer to the Change of Graduate Program Policy.

What Happens To My Transfer Credit If I Change My Major?

Students should express their intent to change their major before finalizing enrollment. This allows the admissions office to re-evaluate all potential transfer credit for application to the student’s new major prior to enrollment.

If a current student decides to change majors at CCS, the transfer credit granted upon initial enrollment will undergo re-evaluation by the Program Chair. All relevant courses completed at CCS will be applied toward the student’s updated degree requirements. However, courses previously transferred to CCS may potentially fulfill an elective requirement, but if they no longer fulfill graduation requirements will default to an ‘Other Courses’ category, remaining in the student’s academic record but not counting towards degree completion. If students feel they have previously completed coursework that should be considered after declaring a change of major, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate this review and provide any required documentation or work examples to support the placement of credit.

Graduate Admissions Requirements for Domestic Applicants

Application Requirements

Application Form
Enter general personal and educational information.

Portfolio
Upload projects, sketches and other items that communicate your technical and design expertise and problem-solving skills. Review individual program requirements/recommendations on the Portfolio Guidelines page.

MFA Transcript
Upload a current transcript (unofficial or official electronic version) of your transcript. Official copies will be requested if offered admissions.

International Applicants: Submit a certified English translation of your transcript(s). The documents should include the translation of your courses along with the school’s official grading scale, so that we can convert your grades and/or an accumulative Grade Point Average for all years attended in your bachelor’s degree.

Official copies of all transcripts confirming graduation from a college or university, must be one file prior to the Add/Drop Deadline of the student’s initial start term, and is required for matriculation.

MFA Statement of Purpose
Upload a statement of purpose (500-1000 words) that outlines your objectives for seeking an MFA at CCS and addresses the following:

What is your motivation for studying design?
What are you hoping to achieve in your graduate education? Career path and/or personal enrichment?
Why do you think CCS is the place for you?
What characteristics, both personal and professional, do you feel you will contribute to a team-based project?
This document serves as your writing sample and should include your areas of interest and influences on your design/thinking practice.

MFA CV/Resume
Submit a current resume/curriculum vitae detailing your educational, work and community service/volunteer experience.

MFA Letters of Recommendation
Provide two (2) recommendation letters. Recommendations should come from individuals who are able to address your creative ability, academic and/or professional record, learning style and potential for graduate education. At least one letter should be provided by an academic reference or professional supervisors. Applicants can submit up to three (3) recommendation letters as part of your application.

Application Fee
Submit a $18 non-refundable application fee prior to finalizing your application.

If an applicant for admission to the College has been admitted to the same academic level four times in the past, but has never completed attendance through the first semester Add/Drop period of any admitted Start Term, the fifth and following applications for admission will be denied.

Students with Disabilities and Requesting Accommodations

CCS Nondiscrimination Policy

Study Abroad

To be eligible for all study abroad opportunities, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and written permission from the Department Chair. Study for an academic semester or year abroad requires that a student be a junior or in the first semester of the senior year. Graduate students should meet with their Chair to determine the best semester to participate in a study abroad opportunity. Participation in one of the summer faculty-led programs is open to all students, regardless of year. 

Study abroad during the final semester at CCS is not permitted. For more information, please see the Study Abroad page on the College’s learning management system.

Students must meet with the Director of International Student Services and their Department Chair no later than April 1 for fall or October 1 for winter.

Students must:

  • Complete the Study Abroad Approval Form and Packet and submit to the International Student Services Office (ISSO)
  • Comply with the CCS International Travel Policy requirements
  • Attend a pre-departure Informational Meeting with the ISSO

All forms are available from the office of International Student Services. The ISSO is located on the 2nd Floor of the Yamasaki.

Transfer Credits – Undergraduate

All transfer credits are evaluated for relevance to the College’s programs and policies. Grades earned at another institution are not factored into the calculation of cumulative grade point average at CCS. The College makes every effort to ensure you get credit for your past college-level work, subject to the following conditions:

  • CCS will accept coursework completed at a college or university accredited by one of the following regional associations of schools and colleges—Middle States (MASAC), New England (NEASC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Northwest (NWCCU), Southern (SASAC), Western (WASC)—or by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). International programs and institutions with non-regional accreditation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • For coursework completed outside of the United States, College for Creative Studies requires all transfer students to obtain a professional course-by-course evaluation of all college or university-level work from a professional credential evaluation service like National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) membership.
  • Courses noted on a transcript as transferred from prior institutions will not be applicable for transfer credit. An official transcript must be submitted to CCS from any institution(s) attended or by the examination agency (for credit by examination) before transfer credit can be awarded.
  • Coursework must meet the majority of the learning outcomes required by the equivalent course at CCS to be approved.
  • CCS reserves the right to limit the transfer of credit to courses completed within the past ten years.
  • Credit will not be awarded for remedial coursework.
  • Courses awarded transfer credit are recorded in permanent academic records. Grades of approved courses are not factored into the calculation of a student’s cumulative grade point average at CCS.
  • Only courses completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better will be accepted for transfer credit. If the courses were taken on a Pass/Fail basis, a grade of Pass must be equivalent to a “C” or better.
  • Students may transfer up to 72 credit hours (or up to 60%) of their BFA degree requirements from another college or university. On occasion, students transferring to CCS utilizing an: established and current articulation agreement, transfer pathway, or matriculating from a similar program at another AICAD institution, may be eligible for additional credit.
  • Students may be awarded up to 30 credits through Prior Learning. This includes any and all combinations of Credit by Examination: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-Levels, as well as Military Credit.
  • Courses taken at an institution on a quarter or term academic calendar are converted to semester hours before being applied to CCS course requirements.
  • CCS must receive all official final transcripts, test scores or work examples that students wish to have considered for transfer credit
    • before the end of the student’s 1st week of classes (for new/incoming students)
    • within a month of completing the course(s) intended for transfer (for current students)

Frequently Asked Transfer Questions

How Can I Ensure I am Getting the Most Transfer Credit Possible?

Our transfer team works hard to evaluate each student’s experience individually- however- this is a manual and human process. Your involvement is key to ensuring you receive the highest possible transfer credit award possible. Here are a few steps you can take:

  1. Plan your transfer with the CCS transfer team. We have lots of tools and resources available for students and counselors but the very best one is a personal coach to guide you through this process and is an expert on what you need to do on the receiving end to make a smooth transition. Once you know CCS is your destination (or in your top 5), contact our transfer team to let them know so we can help you prepare.
  2. If you are taking studio courses- snap photos of everything you complete (and maybe some progress photos). Save them in a folder under your course code name. For more on this see our transfer resources page.
  3. When you receive your transfer credit evaluation- read it front to back. If there are additional items needed, be sure to follow up on these (often a missing or final transcript or perhaps work examples not included in your admissions portfolio). If you feel you are not getting enough credit- express your concerns to your CCS admissions counselor so they can make certain everything has been considered and explain any questions you may have.

What is an Official Transcript?

Only transcripts mailed directly from your previous institution(s) to CCS, as well as transcripts sent directly to you and forwarded to CCS in the original sealed envelope, are considered official. Transcripts received by CCS from a certified digital document service such as Parchment or Clearinghouse are all considered official

How Do I Transfer my Dual Enrollment, Concurrent Enrollment, or Early College Credits?

If you have completed any college-level coursework while pursuing your high school diploma or equivalent credential, it is important that you request your official transcript from the institution or credit-granting authority directly and have it sent to the CCS Admissions Office. While grades, credit, or scores indicated on your high school transcript may be helpful in estimating potential transfer credit, only transcripts that are mailed directly from your previous institution(s) to CCS can ensure that you receive these credits towards your undergraduate degree. 

Please note that students who have completed Dual Enrollment courses with CCS, including Precollege Summer Experience courses, are not required to do anything extra. This coursework is already recorded in their academic history and will be applied towards their program requirements.

Credit placement and Course placement… why don’t my numbers match up?

A ‘credit hour’ is a unit of measurement for educational credit earned in college. It is typically determined by the number of ‘contact hours’ (or hours spent meeting in class) per week throughout a term. Almost all CCS courses are three credit hours (the only exceptions being two major studio courses not eligible for Transfer Credit). Students who have taken a 4 credit course at another institution may note a loss in credits accrued upon transfer even if every course they have completed was accepted.

What if my previous college was on quarter hours?

Colleges operating on a Quarter hour academic calendar have 3-4 main terms spanning 10 to 11 weeks per year (as opposed to the two fifteen-week long terms typical of colleges operating on a ‘semester’ calendar year). Because quarter hour terms are shorter, a ‘credit hour’ will have fewer ‘contact hours’. For this reason, students seeking transfer credit from intuitions that operate on a quarter hour calendar may have their courses combined to equal the instruction time and learning outcomes required in the equivalent CCS course. Generally speaking- a 5 credit (or unit) quarter hour course will be equivalent to a 3 credit semester hour course. This can vary with studio (art and design) class types though. Be sure to talk to your admissions counselor if you have questions.

What’s the Difference Between a Transfer Pathway and an Articulation Agreement for CCS?

Transfer Pathways or Guides- like the Michigan Transfer Agreement or Ohio Transfer Module provide opportunities for exploration and a structured listing of courses that have been pre-approved for transfer to a range of undergraduate programs. Some guides- like the or MiTransfer Pathway for Studio Art- can also include courses that support students seeking opportunities to build a portfolio. Students who are undecided on their undergraduate program or institution can follow these to explore studio interests and earn potential credit toward their program at CCS. It is important to note that, though the use of transfer guides may reduce the number of credits required upon transfer this does not guarantee an accelerated path to degree completion.

Articulation Agreements are more formal, structured agreements between two institutions and may also be termed ‘Transfer Guides’. They outline specific courses at CCS and at the partner institution to create a more seamless transfer process and can even reduce the time required to complete a CCS degree. Instructions for fulfillment of the agreement can be very specific and usually include completion of an associate degree along with selection of specific (CCS recommended) electives- so read and follow them carefully. If seeking admission and transfer through articulation, we recommend establishing contact with the CCS admissions and transfer team no less than one year prior to your intended start. 

How long will it take to complete my degree?

Art and Design colleges like CCS are going to offer more niche areas of study and expertise than most university programs.  Take some time to discover where your passions may fit into our offerings (our online and on campus events are great for this). Many of our single discipline programs have a sequentially structured set of major studio classes, tailored for each of our career-focused majors. Only completion of, or placement out of required major studio courses can shorten the time required to complete a CCS degree. Therefore, the amount of credit awarded upon admission is not indicative of advanced standing (i.e., Sophomore or Junior). Though the number of credits transferred may not affect the number of semesters required to complete a student’s degree, it can lighten the course load.

New students seeking clarification on time required to complete their degree at CCS should follow up with their admissions counselor after receiving their TCE. Current students should meet with their Academic Adviser to review their degree audit for an understanding of remaining requirements and time required to complete them.

Does CCS consider life experience?

The college does not grant life or experiential credit. Students with professional experience may petition the appropriate Department Chair for advanced standing. Students granted advanced standing will not be awarded transfer credit or see a reduction in the number of credits required to complete the degree upon transfer; rather, the Department Chair will substitute the required sequence of courses with approved studio courses.

What If I want to change majors or add Art Education Certification?

Due to the specific coursework required for Art Education students to receive their Teacher Certification, new students wishing to pursue this program as a combined degree at CCS will have restricted requirements for elective and general education credit. This can be limiting when transferring credits. Applicants are encouraged to discuss this with an admissions counselor early.

What happens to my transfer credit if I change my major or Add a Minor Later In My Program? ?

Whenever possible, students will want to ensure that they convey a desire for a change in major before committing to attend. This will allow admissions to re-assess all potential transfer credit for application to the student’s updated major prior to enrolling.

Should a current student change majors at CCS, all applicable courses earned at CCS and those granted transfer credit upon enrollment will be applied toward the student’s updated degree requirements. Courses previously transferred to CCS that no longer fulfill graduation requirements will default to ‘general elective’ credit, remaining in the student’s academic record but not counting towards degree completion. The college does not re-evaluate previously earned credits when current students change majors. If students feel they have previously completed coursework that should be considered after declaring a change of major, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate this review and provide any required documentation or work examples to support the placement of credit.

A maximum of 2 courses (6 credits) may be transferred from an outside source toward a student’s minor. Students who add a minor and want transfer credit or prior learning credit applied toward that minor, must declare this wish to their academic advisor when submitting their minor declaration form. 

Repeated Courses and Federal Student Aid

When a successfully completed course is repeated, the previous enrollment is deducted from the calculation of successfully completed courses; therefore, this will lower your Course Completion Rate. The earned higher grade is counted in the cumulative GPA. Per the Federal Student Aid handbook, students may repeat a course as many times as necessary to receive a passing grade and receive federal funding for that course. The federal definition of a passing grade is anything above an F.

Once the student has taken the course and received a grade above failing (anything above an F), the student may repeat the course only one additional time to try to earn a higher grade and receive federal financial aid funds. Any subsequent repeats of that course cannot be covered by federal financial aid funds. CCS does have some required courses that require at least a C grade per College policy. The College policy does not affect federal eligibility, so the student may still only retake this course once after receiving a grade above an F and receive federal funding.

EXAMPLE:

A student has taken a course requiring a C grade and received above an F but less than a C. The student takes the course a second time but again earns less than a C. The student must continue to retake the course to pass it per CCS policy but is no longer eligible for federal financial aid for that course. If the student subsequently enrolls for 12 credits, including the course they are having to repeat, only 9 of those credits are eligible for federal financial aid. Institutional aid is not affected and can still be processed at the full-time amount. Students who are enrolled for 15 credits are not affected since they will still have 12 eligible credits and would still be considered full-time.

Undergraduate Student Readmission

Students returning to CCS after an absence of more than two consecutive academic years or students who seek readmission after suspension must complete the Application for Readmission. This application along with a $50 nonrefundable readmission fee should be submitted to the Academic Advising and Registration Office at least two months prior to the start of the semester the student wishes to attend. Official transcripts with final grades from other institutions attended during the absence from CCS should be included with the readmission application.

Readmitted students must meet the program and graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Studio courses older than seven years at the time of readmission cannot be used toward the degree, except with prior written approval from the Department Chair and Director of Academic Advising and Registration. The Department Chair must review and approve studio courses completed prior to the seven-year limit or taken at another college during the absence from CCS. This approval will be based on the student’s ability to demonstrate current curriculum proficiency as evidenced by a review of a current portfolio. The cumulative grade point average for all readmitted students includes all CCS grades, regardless of how much time elapsed between enrollments.

Students who have left for mandatory military service are able to resume studies at CCS without completing the readmission application for up to three academic years from the time of their withdrawal.

Procedure

Readmission for students in good standing:

Readmission for Students in Good Standing: Students, who left CCS in good academic standing with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher, should complete the Application for Readmission and attach the $50 Readmission Fee. Students will be notified via mail when their application has been processed.

Readmission after academic suspension:

Students applying for readmission after academic suspension, must complete the Application for Readmission, attach the $50 Readmission Fee, and address the problems that led to the academic suspension and put forth the case for the student’s success upon returning to CCS. This information should be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the Application for Readmission. The Committee on Academic Performance will review appeals for readmission after academic suspension. If approved, the student’s academic standing would carry the status of “Continued Academic Warning.”

Readmission after suspension related to conduct:

Students applying for readmission after suspension related to conduct must complete the Application for Readmission, attach the $50 Readmission Fee, and include any relevant information that will build a case for the student’s success upon returning to CCS. This information should be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the readmission application. The Dean of Students will review appeals for readmission after a conduct suspension.

Graduation Requirements

To be certified for graduation, students must:

  1. Fulfill all departmental and academic course requirements for graduation in his/her major as outlined in the College catalog. Students have the option of electing the requirements listed in the catalog that was in effect at the time of their most recent admission to the college or those in the catalog that is in effect at the time of their final course completion.
  2. Receive departmental permission to graduate based on a final review and exhibition of their work, unless waived by the department. Departmental permission to graduate is good for one year. Students who fail to complete their degree requirements within one year of being approved to graduate must be re-approved and have their portfolio re-reviewed prior to receiving their degree.
  3. Undergraduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). Graduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B)
  4. Have all official transcripts from other schools on file in the Academic Advising and Registration Office no later than the last day of the drop/add period of the semester that graduation is to occur.
  5. Be enrolled at the College for Creative Studies at the time that their degree is awarded.
  6. File an Application for Graduation with the Academic Advising and Registration Office prior to the start of the anticipated final semester.

A commencement ceremony takes place in the spring and fall semesters. Students who have applied for graduation and have completed all their requirements for graduation within the year preceding this event are invited to participate.

Graduate Student Readmission

Graduate students returning to College for Creative Studies (CCS) after an absence of more than two consecutive academic years or students who seek readmission after suspension, must complete the Application for Readmission. This application along with a $50 nonrefundable readmission fee must be submitted to the Academic Advising and Registration Office at least two months prior to the start of the semester the student wishes to attend. Official transcripts with final grades from other institutions attended during the absence from CCS must be included with the readmission application.

Readmitted students must meet the program and graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Studio courses older than seven years at the time of readmission cannot be used toward the degree, except with prior written approval from the Department Chair and Director of Academic Advising. The Department Chair must review and approve studio courses completed prior to the seven-year limit or taken at another college during the absence from CCS. This approval will be based on the student’s ability to demonstrate current curriculum proficiency as evidenced by review of a current portfolio. The cumulative grade point average for all re-admitted students includes all CCS grades, regardless of how much time elapsed between enrollments. Students, who have left for mandatory military service, are not required to apply for readmission to the College for up to three academic years from the time of their withdrawal.

Readmission for Graduate Students in Good Standing

Graduate students, who left CCS in good academic standing with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, must complete the Application for Readmission and attach the $50 Readmission Fee. Students will be notified via email when their application has been processed.

Readmission after academic suspension

Graduate students applying for readmission after academic suspension, must complete the Application for Readmission, attach the $50 Readmission Fee, and address the problems that led to the academic suspension and put forth the case for their success upon returning to CCS. This information must be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the Application for Readmission. The Committee on Academic Performance will review appeals for readmission after academic suspension. If approved, the student’s academic standing would carry the status of “Continued Academic Warning.”

Readmission after suspension related to conduct

Graduate students applying for readmission after suspension related to conduct, must complete the Application for Readmission, attach the $50 Readmission Fee, and include any relevant information that will build a case for the student’s success upon returning to CCS. This information must be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the readmission application. The Dean of Students will review appeals for readmission after a conduct suspension.

Grading

Grading is based on performance in coursework, growth in ability, and professionalism. A continuous record of all grades throughout a student’s enrollment is kept in the Academic Advising and Registration Office. Final grade reports are available on the College’s learning management system the week after classes end.  Faculty must enter midterm and final grades into Canvas.

CCS uses the following grading system:

Undergraduate Grading Scale

GradeRatingGPADescription
AExcellent4.00grade point
A-3.70grade point
B+3.30grade point
BGood3.00grade point
B-2.70grade point
C+2.30grade point
CAverage2.00grade point
C-1.70grade point
D+1.30grade point
DPoor1.00grade point
D-0.70grade point
FFailing0.00grade point
NCNo Credit0.00no grade point value
PPassing0.00no grade point value
IIncomplete0.00no grade point value
WWithdrawal0.00second through fourth week of class
WNWithdrawal0.00after the fourth week of class
WF*Withdrawal0.00stopped attending course without official withdrawal

Graduate Grading Scale

GradeRatingGPADescription
AExcellent4.00grade point
A-3.70grade point
B+3.30grade point
BGood3.00grade point
B-2.70grade point
C+2.30grade point
CBelow Graduate2.00grade point (minimum required standard)
FFailing0.00grade point
NCNo Credit0.00no grade point value
PPassing0.00no grade point value
IIncomplete0.00no grade point value
WWithdrawal0.00second through fourth week of class
WNWithdrawal0.00after the fourth week of class
WF*Withdrawal0.00stopped attending course without official withdrawal