When a course is repeated, the higher grade will be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. Any course, or its equivalent approved course, may be applied only once toward fulfillment of any and all degree requirements, including elective credit. Courses taken at other institutions are not subject to the repeat policy. Work from previous attempts at the course cannot be reused in future attempts without written approval from the faculty member teaching the repeated course. Federal regulations specify that a student may only receive financial aid for a repeated course once after a passing grade has been earned.
Tag: grade
Dean’s and President’s List
Undergraduate students who complete a minimum of 12 credits during a given semester with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 to 3.799 are placed on the Dean’s List. Undergraduate students who achieve a GPA of 3.80 or above are placed on the President’s List. A notation will be placed on the student’s transcript for each semester that Dean’s List status is achieved.
Academic Probation and Suspension – Undergraduate Students
Academic progress is monitored at the end of each semester. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to be considered in good academic standing.
If a student has less than a cumulative 2.0 GPA, he/she/they is placed on academic probation for a period of one semester. If the student fails to achieve a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the academic probation semester, he or she is suspended from the College.**
Grade Point Average Requirement For Art Education Majors
In the Art Education program it is the student’s responsibility to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 at the end of each term. Additionally, teacher candidates must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 in Art Education courses. Only grades of “C” or better will be accepted in required art education courses. If a student receives a grade of “C-” or below they must retake the course to obtain a grade of “C” or better. Students not meeting the Art Ed GPA requirements should meet with the Chair and the appropriate instructor to evaluate progress and identify areas for support. Additionally, the Center for Tutoring and Writing is available for all students seeking assistance with any course content. The higher grade is always recorded for purposes of calculating cumulative GPA.
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
*Exceptions to credit load restrictions will be determined upon review.
Academic Suspension Policy
Students suspended for failing to meet the cumulative GPA requirements, must adhere to the “academic suspension restrictions”. Students on academic suspension have the option to appeal by submitting an application for readmission to the Academic Advising & Registration Office (see full details under Appeal Process for Readmission).
Students suspended for disciplinary reasons or who have exhausted appeal submissions, will not be considered for reinstatement through an academic appeal process.
Academic Suspension Restrictions
Students on Academic Suspension are restricted from the following as long as the suspension status is active:
- Registration of any CCS Course(s), including non-credit and/or continuing education courses.
- Use of Campus facilities. Students with “I” grades and previous approved campus access, will need to contact the assigning Instructor to confirm alternative options for assignment completion (outside of CCS facility use).
- Living in or maintaining CCS Housing and/or Meal Plans. Contracts will be canceled or deactivated until the suspension status is resolved. The CCS Housing Office will confirm all exit and cancellation procedures.
- Student Aid may be discontinued and loan repayments may be required after 6 months away from college. The Financial Aid Office will verify Student Aid status and requirements.
- Veteran, dependents and/or GI Bill benefits will not be certified. VA Certifying Official will confirm additional requirements.
**Academic Suspension Exceptions:
Students who do not obtain the minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA, but have achieved the following at the end of the probation semester, may be granted “Continued Academic Probation” by the Registrar’s Office for displaying substantial improvement:
1) successfully completed 67% of attempted credits in the probation
semester (and)
2) obtained a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher at the end of the probation
semester.
**Students granted “Continued Academic Probation” must also confirm status of Financial Aid eligibility before choosing to enroll in the approved semester. Satisfactory Academic Progress (including cumulative GPA requirements) is evaluated to determine Financial Aid.
Students granted “Continued Academic Probation” will be required to follow the probation policy requirements for an additional semester. Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA requirements at the end of the semester, are suspended from the college.
Appeal Process for Academic Suspension
Students who have been confirmed and notified of their suspension may appeal their “academic suspension” from the College by submitting the following to the Academic Advising & Registration Office:
- Submit Application for Readmission:
- For readmission to a Winter term, must reapply by October 31 deadline
- For readmission to a Fall term, must reapply by July 31 deadline
- Submit Explanation of Suspension
- Pay $50 Readmission Fee
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 (address the problems that led to the academic suspension and put forth the case outlining success upon returning to CCS). This information must be provided in the “Student Explanation” section of the Application for Readmission.
The faculty Academic Performance Committee will review appeal submissions during the next academic semester. After the review is completed, students will receive a letter from the Registrar’s Office, on behalf of the Academic Performance Committee, stating 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 all standard probation requirements in addition to requirements outlined by the Academic Performance Committee. Academic Progress is reviewed again at the end of the Continued Academic Probation semester, in which the student must meet the academic standards.
If a student fails to meet the academic standards after the appealed suspension, the student is returned to the status of suspension indefinitely and dismissed from the college.
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.
Dismissal from the College
The College reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time for academic dishonesty or improper behavior. Improper behavior is defined as, but not limited to, actions by an individual that may be detrimental to the student, other students, or the College, or damage to College property. It also includes violations of civil, state, or federal law. See the Code of Student Conduct for further details.
Graduate Admission Requirements for International 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.
Additional Requirements for International Students
English Proficiency Exam: All applicants whose primary and/or native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS general exam scores. Request scores be sent to CCS electronically by the exam agency (ETS or Cambridge English Assessment). Our TOEFL (ETS) code is 1035.
Minimum scores: TOEFL- Internet version: 80; paper-based version: composite score of 527; computer-based: 197
IELTS: 6.5
If the primary language of instruction for your undergraduate degree was English, you can request the requirement be waived in your SlideRoom application. Please provide a direct link to institutions website with details of the language of instruction. Applicants requesting a waiver will be contacted directly by the Office of Graduate Admissions regarding the decision.
Transcripts: Upload provide a certified English translation of your transcripts, along with the school’s official grading scale, so we can convert your grades and/or an accumulative Grade Point Average. Please also provide an English translated degree certificate, if available.
Passport: Submit a current scanned copy of your passport.
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
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.
Incomplete Grades
This policy details the criteria and process for an “I” or Incomplete grade.
An incomplete or grade of “I” may be given to a student when a minimal number of course assignments have not been completed due to unavoidable and legitimate circumstances (i.e., injury, hospitalization, jury duty, death of a family member, or other reasons beyond a student’s control).Completion of at least 75% of course work at passing levels is recommended before an “I” grade is assigned.
Unless otherwise indicated, students have one semester to finish any work necessary to complete the course (i.e. Incompletes assigned for the fall semester must be completed by the winter semester; Incompletes assigned for the winter/summer semester must be completed by the fall semester). If work is not completed within this timeframe the Incomplete Grade will default to the grade earned. Any student receiving an “I” grade in their anticipated semester of graduation, will graduate in a later semester after all unsatisfied credits are confirmed.
Important: Faculty may exercise the grade change form for situations where the incomplete grade is not warranted, but late assignments have been approved (see Grade Change policy).
Incomplete Grade Verification
The Instructor should submit the current “grade earned” (A-F) for their student during final grading submissions for their course, in the grading module.
- For students approved to receive an “I” grade: the instructor must submit a completed Incomplete Grade Verification Form to the Academic Advising & Registration Office (AARO).
- The reason for the incomplete grade and outstanding assignments must be identified on the form and agreed upon by the student.
- The instructor, student and department chairperson must sign the form.
- All forms must be received by the final grading deadline of the current semester for “I” grade processing. Incomplete grade submissions will be entered/updated by AARO staff.
- Forms not received by the deadline will maintain records displaying the “grade earned”.
Updating an Assigned “I” Grade
- Once the required coursework is completed by the student, the instructor must submit a Grade Change Form with all required signatures, to the AARO, by the “I” Grade Expire Date (or by the final grade due date for the subsequent semester).
- Assigned “I” grades that do not have grade change submissions , will revert back to the student’s original “grade earned”.
- The Office of Academic Affairs must approve all standard grade changes beyond a 60-day period and any grade changes for Incompletes.
- The final assigned grade is calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA and SAP (see Satisfactory Academic Progress for Undergraduate Students and Satisfactory Academic progress for Graduate Students).
Resolving “I” Grades if the faculty is no longer teaching at CCS:
Incomplete Grades assigned by a former faculty member will be handled by the Department Chair of the course; who will review the required assignments and submissions to determine a final grade. The required grade change form must be completed and submitted by the Department Chair to the AARO.
Campus and Facility Access
Students working on Incomplete Grades are not granted automatic access to CCS facilities (studios, labs or classrooms). Departments are not obligated to ensure access to CCS facilities if a student is not registered and/or if a registered student has day/time conflicts during hours of facility open access.
If access to a CCS facility is required (or desired) to complete coursework for an incomplete grade, it is the student’s responsibility to:
- communicate with the Instructor to understand expectations for completing the coursework;
- and to confirm If open access to facilities are available through the affiliated department, before agreeing to the incomplete grade.
If campus facilities are approved for use, each department can determine arrangements for reasonable access, which should be verified in advance with appropriate campus offices as required (i.e. registration, security, etc); and included on the Incomplete Grading Form.