graduate – Course Catalog

Graduate Assistantship

Graduate Assistantship positions are available to all registered graduate students at College for Creative Studies. Appointments are made for a given semester or year and may be renewed. Graduate Assistantship positions require 5 (minimum) to 20 (maximum) hours of service per week; typically, 8-10 hours is recommended. Eligible students are admitted first-year graduate students with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) from their previously attended institutions or returning students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all graduate CCS coursework. Once approved for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all CCS coursework must be maintained. Successful candidates will demonstrate suitability and the skills required of the particular assistantship as defined by the faculty or administrator supporting the position. All positions pay $18.00 per hour.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)

CCS offers graduate students the position of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) to provide support and assistance for faculty and instructors teaching undergraduate classes. The role is also an opportunity for graduate students to extend their academic knowledge and acquire new skills. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) may be assigned teaching duties in undergraduate (and occasionally graduate) level courses and will be assigned to a specific CCS faculty.

While each GTA position is unique to the assigned course general duties may include supporting the instructor in the preparation of materials and instruction in the classroom and/or learning management system (LMS); conducting student tutorials and remedial instruction; assisting in the organization of the class room and/or virtual learning space; tutoring individual or small groups of students, providing feedback to help students progress toward achieving course learning outcomes; mentoring of students; providing support and tutoring in software; and other course related tasks as required.

Personal attributes sought include good interpersonal skills and the ability to help, encourage, and support others; patience and sensitivity towards students of diverse pedagogic backgrounds and capabilities; excellent team-working skills; professional discretion, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality; strong organizational skills, including an ability to multitask, meet course deadlines, and be adaptable to change. A detailed list of requirements will be discussed/provided at the time of hire.

Students selected for a GTA position will be required to participate in Teaching Readiness Training offered each semester. This Training will focus on instructional skills and behaviors that enhance student experience at the College.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

CCS offers graduate students the position of Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to provide support and assistance for faculty and instructors in research. The role is also an opportunity for graduate students to extend their academic knowledge and acquire new skills. Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) will be assigned to a specific CCS faculty/research project.

Graduate Research Assistants are responsible for supporting faculty and/or staff in undertaking scholarly research; locating, scanning, and archiving secondary sources; supporting and undertaking field research tasks; monitoring research ethics and integrity; organizing primary research activities; recording, documenting, and collating qualitative and quantitative data; developing presentation materials; and other duties as assigned by the supervising faculty. A detailed list of responsibilities will be discussed/provided at the time of hire.

Personal attributes sought include excellent interpersonal skills; excellent team-working skills; professional discretion, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality; a willingness to follow instructions and work in a supporting role; strong organizational skills, including an ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and be adaptable to change. A detailed list of requirements will be discussed/provided at the time of hire.

Students accepted into a GRA position will be required to participate in a Research Induction and undertake graduate level CITI training for research ethics.

Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)

CCS offers graduate students the position of Graduate Student Assistant (GSA) to provide support and assistance for faculty and instructors in administrative tasks outside of the day-to-day duties of program managers and other administrators. The role is also an opportunity for graduate students to extend their knowledge and acquire new skills. Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs) will be assigned to a specific CCS faculty or department.

While each GSA position is unique to the assigned faculty or department general duties may include supporting the preparation of operational and promotional materials for the Department; assisting in project documentation and preparation of presentation materials; providing support for social media and marketing materials; supporting departmental processes related to student recruitment including conducting campus tours and orientation activities; providing assistance with program event planning, collecting students files and event setup/tear down; and other tasks as required. A detailed list of responsibilities will be discussed/provided at the time of hire.

Personal attributes sought include good interpersonal skills; excellent team-working skills; professional discretion, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality; a willingness to follow instructions and work in a supporting role; strong organizational skills, including an ability to multitask, meet course deadlines, and be adaptable to change. A detailed list of requirements will be discussed/provided at the time of hire.

Application Process

The types of positions available are posted on the Financial Aid campus site for consistent student, staff, and faculty access. Students who are interested in and qualify for a Graduate Assistantship position may learn of open positions by emailing Jill Davis at fdavis@collegeforcreativestudies.edu. Faculty and staff seeking a Graduate Assistant may likewise contact the Graduate Studies office.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for hire. Students without an SSN should approach the International Student Services Office for guidance on how to request one.

Student application packets must be uploaded to a shared drive created by Graduate Studies for this purpose and will contain the following documentation:

A completed Graduate Assistantship application
A current resume or CV
Final performance evaluation from last CCS graduate assistantship position (if applicable)
Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
A portfolio or research related paper

Finalists for open positions will be asked to participate in an interview. Once an appointment decision is made, all applicants for the position will be notified of their status via email and the International Student Services office will be notified of the hires of any international students.

Annual Timeline for Position Posting and Application Process

	Fall Positions	Winter Positions
Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Chairs’ Meeting – Graduate Studies communicates Graduate Assistant availability and the deadline to request a position	Mid-February	Late August
Graduate Studies sends All Staff email communicating Graduate Assistant availability and the deadline to request a position	Mid-February	Late August
Deadline for offices and departments to submit open positions	March 15	September 15
Graduate Studies faculty observe students to deter mine who would be the best candidates for open Graduate Assistantship positions (if needed)	March-April	September-October
Graduate Studies communicates all open positions to graduate students	April 15	October 15
Deadline for application packet submission	May 20	November 15
Applicants matched based on student interest, recommendations by faculty, and portfolio. Students are interviewed and selected candidates receive offers.	May 20-June 15	November 15-December 5
Late application date for incoming students.	Late August	Not applicable
Graduate Teaching Assistants participate in a two-hour Teaching Readiness Workshop	Fourth week of August	Early January
Graduate Research Assistants participate in a Research Induction and begin CITI Training	Fourth week of August	Early January
Students begin performing the duties of their positions at the start of the semester	September	January

Evaluation Process

A formal performance review will be provided by the faculty or administrator overseeing the assistantship at the end of each academic year or semester, as applicable.

External Graduate Assistants (EGA)

On occasion, the College will post opportunities for external graduate assistants. This role provides an opportunity for students from other institutions to gain experience in their area of study while interacting with and benefitting the CCS community.

The position description, requirements, and hourly rate is determined by the hiring office/program, with consideration and approval of the appropriate Vice President and Human Resources.

Typically, external graduate assistants work no more than 20 hours per week. A detailed list of responsibilities will be discussed/provided at the time of hire. They are supervised by the hiring office/program and are evaluated on their performance at the close of each year.

Disbursement of Financial Aid/Refunds

The main award year consists of two semesters (Fall and Winter) for a total of 31 weeks. Awards are credited to student accounts at the beginning of each semester and are based on full-time status (12 credits or more). Awards will be adjusted for students attending less than full-time based on their actual semester enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to receive most kinds of financial aid.

Students whose total financial aid is greater than the charges owed to the school will receive a refund for the overage. Refunds for for all borrowers at CCS will be processed the week before each semester is set to begin. If your financial aid funds and/or supplemental loans are in excess tuition and housing charges owed to CCS, the Cashier’s office will issue a refund check to you for the overage. It is important to remember that financial aid is disbursed on a per semester basis, so if you have taken out an additional $5000 for the year, you will receive $2500 during the fall semester, and $2500 during the winter semester. Refund checks are printed in the Cashier’s office every Friday. You may also set up Direct Deposit for your refund through the Business Office.

ALL STUDENTS entitled to a refund should expect the refund within first the 1-2 weeks of the start of the semester.

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

Enrollment Deposit

Incoming Undergraduate and Graduate

Incoming students must pay a $250 non refundable Enrollment Deposit to confirm their intent to enroll. Once your deposit is paid, your enrollment at CCS is confirmed and you will be automatically registered for classes. The Deposit Deadline is two weeks after receipt of your acceptance letter, or by May 1st for the September start term, whichever is later. Use your Student ID# to Pay your Deposit Online – your student ID# can be found on your admission decision letter.
Choose: Make a one-time payment
Select: New Student

International Students

International student payments will be conducted through Flywire via the link on the Tuition Management Systems site.
Once you pay your Deposit, connect with the International Student Services Office to ensure all Visa application and Bank verification documents are in order.

All students who were recently admitted to the CCS Undergraduate or Graduate programs must deposit through the link above. Students who have attended as Precollege, Dual Enrolled or Continuing Education students must also use this link.

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.

Change of Academic Level

Changing Academic Level from Graduate to Undergraduate

In order to be eligible for a change of academic level (from Graduate level to Undergraduate level) students must be in good academic standing (2.0 cumulative grade point average and meet satisfactory academic progress). Students, along with their Academic Department Chair, must complete the Change of Academic Level form for processing.

Students pursuing a second Bachelor’s degree who would like to be considered for the Master of Fine Arts program must go through the admissions process.

Graduate Admission Requirements for International Applicants

Application Requirements

Application Form
Enter general personal and educational information.

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.

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:

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

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.

Students with Disabilities and Requesting Accommodations

CCS Nondiscrimination Policy

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.

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:

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.
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.