2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Category: Enrollment And Registration

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

  • Academic Advisor & Mentor Assignments

    Academic Advisor Assignments

    Undergraduate Students are assigned to an AARO Academic Advisor based on major.

    Graduate and Teacher Certification (TC) students will meet one-on-one with their assigned Advisor from AARO. Additionally, Graduate and TC students in will work with their Department Chairs to confirm specialized course planning approvals.

    Advising assistance is provided to all students throughout the academic year via workshops, group advising sessions and one-on-one appointments.

    Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned advisor each semester to ensure that they are taking the required courses for graduation as they strive to attain their personal and educational goals. Academic Advisors routinely review academic evaluations to ensure progress is being made. Students who are identified as not making satisfactory progress toward their degree will receive a notification from the AARO; a restriction/hold may be applied to the student’s account, if applicable. Students with an “advising hold” are required to make an appointment with their assigned advisor to address degree progress, academic approvals or other questions/concerns.

    see – CCS Academic Advising Program

    Mentorship Program Assignments

    Enrolled undergraduate students are assigned a mentor and will participate in the CCS Mentorship Program, designed to help students become career-ready. Mentors come from different roles within the institution and may consist of a full-time faculty member, an adjunct or staff member and/or an alumni. Mentoring will trend towards acclimation to college, academic support, institutional resources and short-term goal setting.

    Students will find their assigned CCS Academic Advisors and Mentors listed in their Self-
    Service/Student Planning accounts.

  • Academic Catalog Addenda

    The CCS Academic Catalog is published outlining degree programs, requirements and policies in place for the listed academic year. This section of the catalog will list any changes and/or immediate corrections that may be refelected in any pdf versions of the 2024-2025 catalog. While efforts will be made to maintain and enforce current policies during a given academic year, CCS reserves the right to change its policies, curricula, rules and regulations upon approval.

  • Contacts, Student Services & Resources

    College for Creative Studies | 201 E. Kirby | Detroit, MI 48202 | 313.664.7400

    DepartmentPhoneEmail
    Academic Affairs (Deans/Provost Office)313-664-1484academicaffairs@ccsdetroit.edu
    Admissions (Undergraduate, Graduate & Post degree/TC)313-664-7425admissions@ccsdetroit.edu
    Academic Advising & Registration Office (Student Records, Registrar & UG, GR & TC Advising)313-664-7672aaro@ccsdetroit.edu
    Business Services (Tuition/Billing)313-664-7435busserv@ccsdetroit.edu
    Campus Safety & Security313-664-7444 (Ford); 313-664-1444(TC)securityford@ccsdetroit.edu
    Center for Tutoring & Writing313-664-7680ctw@ccsdetroit.edu
    Financial Aid & Scholarships313-664-7495finaid@ccsdetroit.edu
    Global Engagement Office313-664-7449global@ccsdetroit.edu
    Office of Partnerships, Career Development Team313-664-7690careerdevelopment@ccsdetroit.edu
    Pre-College and Continuing Studies (Dual Enrollment High School & Non-Credit Courses)313-664-7456pcs@ccsdetroit.edu
    Student Affairs (Housing/Meal Plans, Dean of Students, Student Organizations & Activities, Student Advocate)313-664-7879studentlife@ccsdetroit.edu
    Student Diversity & Inclusiondiversity@ccsdetroit.edu
    Students with Disabilitiesdlong@ccsdetroit.edu
    Wellness & Counseling/Nurse Practitionerwellness@ccsdetroit.edu, nurse@ccsdetroit.edu

  • Exchange Student Enrollment

    • Nomination Deadlines:
      • October 1st for Winter term (January-May)
      • May 1st for Fall Term (September-December)
    • Contact the Global Engagement Office (GEO)
    • Complete the Learning Agreement Form and schedule an meeting with the Director of Global Engagement to select course options for registration.
    • Confirmation of registered courses will be provided by the Academic Advising & Registration Office (AARO). Schedules are available to students on Self-Service. Some courses will require Department Chair permission for initial registration or before schedule change requests are processed.
    • Obtain the J-1 Visa documents from the CCS Responsible Officer, and Director of the Global Engagement Office.
    • Apply for your J-1 Student Visa by following these the steps outlined on this webpage
    • Apply for CCS On-Campus housing and pay the required fees.
    • Complete the Introduction to International Student Resources Experience on Peacock Pride.
    • Schedule a Pre-Departure Meeting with the Global Exchange Office to ask questions prior to travel.
    • Attend New Student & New International Student Orientations on campus.

  • Graduation & Diploma

    Graduation

    A student graduates from their program when all “required” academic credits have been satisfied and a diploma is awarded for degree completion. The Registrar will verify degree program completion of eligible students and “graduate” those who have applied for graduation. This is reflected in the student’s academic record and will display as “graduated” under the completed program. Graduating students are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony*.

    • Students must be enrolled at CCS in the final semester planned for graduation
    • Important! View Graduation Requirements and Residency Requirement
    • Students are notified by email when Graduation Applications are available
    • Applications must be submitted to the Academic Advising & Registration Office by listed deadlines (see Academic Calendar).
    • Graduation is verified at the end of each academic semester. Students may graduate from CCS in December, May or August.

    Questions about graduation requirements should be directed to the Academic Advising and Registration Office 313.664.7672 or aaro@ccsdetroit.edu.

    Diploma Information

    Diplomas

    CCS Diplomas are printed to acknowledge the degree of higher education earned.

    • Student’s Name. This is the diploma name entered on the graduation application. Chosen/Preferred names may be used on diplomas (note: legal names will appear on final transcripts supplied after graduation).
    • Degree awarded. The level of degree earned (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Masters of Fine Arts, etc.)
    • Honors/Distinction. Level of honors/distinction is indicated on the diploma to acknowledge academic achievements.

    Diploma Mailing

    Please be sure the correct mailing address is on file in the Academic Advising & Registration Office (AARO). Students may indicate the diploma mailing address on the graduation application via Self-Service and/or contact the Academic Advising and Registration Office to make arrangements on where to mail the diploma.

    Students must double their graduation application “Diploma Name” entry to verify submissions are correct!

    Diploma Replacement Form

    Recent graduates and Alumni may request a replacement copy of their diploma for a fee paid to the Business Services Office at busserv@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7435; Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm. Replacement diplomas are printed three times a year in December, May, or August.
    Submit the Diploma Replacement form and payment confirmation number to the AARO.

    Commencement

    The CCS Commencement Ceremony is a celebratory event to confer degrees or diplomas for graduating students. Commencement ceremonies are organized by the Student Affairs Office. Participation in commencement is optional.

    • Commencement ceremonies are held in December and May (there is no ceremony for August).
    • Important! – Please review the Student Affairs CCS webpage for the most up to date ceremony information.

    Questions regarding the commencement ceremony should be directed to the Student Affairs Office at 313.664.7879 or studentlife@ccsdetroit.edu.

  • Registration – Current Students

    Registration in Self-Service

    Online registration is available each year to eligible students through Self-Service/Student Planning. Students should check their degree requirements before registering for classes and schdule an Academic Advising appointment to verify degree progress, courses and/or for assistance with online scheduling.

    Registration Priority dates

    Priority Registration for current students opens for the consecutive Fall and Winter academic semesters every April. Summer registration opens in August the year prior. Current students receive notifications of “priority registration dates” that align with class levels and/or enrollment status.

    Current students with the following Enrollment Status can register on the first day of “Priority Registration” each April:

    • Graduate Studies
    • Teacher Certification (TC-post degree students only)
    • Veteran students

    Undergraduate Students

    Priority Registration dates are based on Class Level (number of credits):

    • Class Level (Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshmen) is determined by credits (completed and in-progress credits combined for registration).
    • Registration dates are not based on studio level.
    • Registration dates for each class level is listed on the Academic Calendar.
    • Students cannot register before their eligible date (and will receive an error message).

    Students may enroll in courses starting at 12midnight on designated registration dates. Registration deadlines apply for each semester separately.

    Registration Requirements

    All Current Students are required to complete the following PRIOR TO REGISTRATION EACH YEAR (or as required based on date of original submission):

    • Tuition & Registration Agreement
    • Submit Emergency Contact Information
    • Verify Contact/Student Profile Information

    Additional Registration Requirements

    Current students must also verify if any required procedures, student records or account restrictions are in place. Notifications regarding action items will appear in Self-Service prior to registration or may be required for completion at the time of a registration attempt.

    Examples of additional requirements for registration include:

    • Account holds for past due tuition payments
    • College transcript required
    • Academic holds for missing program/department requirements
    • First Year Meetings – Advising
    • Rising senior meeting – Advising
    • Probation/Academic Progress holds
    • Course registration permission required from Department (i.e., missing prerequisites, course is restricted to major, etc)

  • Registration – New Students

    Preregistration

    New admitted students who have deposited for enrollment into to a CCS degree program or for the post baccalaureate (TC) program for Art Education are preregistered for their first semester.

    • Students are only registerd for required courses of their admitted program.
    • Transfer credits that have been confirmed are considered when schedules are created.
    • Students with missing college transfer or other credit placement at the time of preregistration are required to submit missing transcripts and/or test scores upon immediate availability for accurate schedule adjustments.

    Advising & Registration – Undergraduate

    All new/incoming undergraduate students will attend the required Academic Advising & Registration Session for New Students:

    • Summer sessions take place in June/July for Fall registration
    • October sessions take place for Winter registration

    Advising & Registration – Graduate and TC

    Graduate and TC students will attend a required Academic Advising & Registration meeting with the Graduate/TC student Advisor.

    • Individual Appointments are scheduled May – July for Fall registration and in October for Winter registration

    Registration Requirements

    All New Students are required to complete the following for registration of an academic semester:

    • Program Acknowledgement and Tuition/Registration Agreement
    • Submit Emergency Contact Information
    • Verify Contact/Student Profile Information
    • Attend the required Academic Advising & Registration Session

    To maintain registered credits, students must review and confirm their program and class schedules during Advising & Registration sessions. Students are informed of program requirements, degree timelines and methods for schedules and program change options.

    Schedule Changes

    After students have attended an Advising & Registration session, students have access to adjust day/time offerings online in Self-Service. Students are guided to follow-up with their CCS Academic Advisor by appointment to review further changes and/or questions regarding their major.

    Self-Service Notifications

    Preregisterd students will see notifications in Self-Service regarding requirements for registration and/or for enrollment records (i.e., missing transcripts, student holds, etc)

    Withdraw decision to attend

    Registered Students with confirmed schedules who do not plan on attending CCS must contact the Academic Advising & Registration Office to request an “incoming student withdrawal”, prior to the start of the semester. Registration, Tuition and withdrawal policies apply for all scheduled courses.

    Preregisterd Students who have not confirmed schedules and have not attended the required Advising/Registration session, risk being removed from courses prior to the start of the semester. Students may request to reregister after a withdrawal by contacting the Academic Advising & Registration Office (313.664.7672).

    *All academic and registration policies are provided in the college catalog and general registration/tuition policies are viewable in the Self-Service student agreements sections.

    *All registered students are required to attend New Student Orientation during the month of August. Students are notified about enrollment requirements prior to attending Advising & Registration sessions (provided by the Academic Advising & Registration Office) and mandatory New Student Orientation events (provided by the Student Life Office).

  • Student Accounts

    Accepted and enrolled students registered for credit courses at CCS are assigned a CCS student username and password from Information Technology Services to use the primary CCS platforms:

    1. Access Manager: to view CCS campus apps and services
    2. Self-Service: 
      • access student records (student profile information, grades, enrollment verifications, etc)
      • view student notifications and/or restrictions (holds) that need action
      • make tuition payments and access financial aid resources
      • utilize “student planning” in self-service to review academic program information, register classes and accept agreements
      • coordinate degree/course planning with CCS Academic Advisors; view assigned academic advisor and department mentor(s)
    3. Canvas:  to access registered course syllabi, assignment content, submit assignments and view course instruction/details
    4. CCS Email: all campus communication, student records and tuition notifications are sent to students using their assigned CCS email, as the official form of communication.*

    *Registered students are responsible for checking CCS email periodically for campus updates and student account notifications.

    Various access timelines exists and may depend on student status. Additional Information and updates provided by the Information Technology Department to students each academic year.

    “All students will have access to various resources including Google Workspace for Education (email, calendar, drive, etc), Adobe Suite (credit and pre-college students), VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure), LinkedIn Learning, library databases, student self-service, Canvas learning management system, and associated other services.“

  • Student Agreements – Program Acknowledgement

    Incoming Students are recommended to complete a Program Acknowledgement before registration to confirm their understanding of expectations, responsibilities and commitment required for the CCS Undergraduate Program. The Program Acknowledgement outlines general expectations for the CCS Bachelor’s degree:

    Program Acknowledgement

    By accepting this agreement, I acknowledge my enrollment into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program assigned to my Self-Service/Student Planning account. As a new student to CCS I am assigned a Catalog Year which defines the current requirements for my degree program. This Catalog Year is listed in Student Planning/My Progress and has a Curriculum Chart affiliated with my major. The Curriculum Chart and “My Progress” screen display all course requirements and the number of credits required to graduate.

    CCS undergraduate majors are outlined on the Curriculum Chart as a four-year program with the recommended number of credits and courses to register per semester. In the event I request or choose to alter my program or number of credits per semester (i.e., change majors, add a minor, register fewer credits in a semester, etc.); I am aware that it may affect or change my timeline for graduation (or my financial aid awards). I may track my progress towards degree completion using the “My Progress” screen in Student Planning. I am responsible for completing “all” required credits that are not satisfied before graduating, and may consult with my Academic Advisor to review degree-planning options.

    Students With Transfer Credits

    Transfer credits do not guarantee a shorter time-line for graduation, but may lessen the expected workload per semester. Transfer students should meet with their Academic Advisor to confirm potential timeline adjustments and to review degree plan options.

    Registration & Class Level

    Enrolling into an undergraduate degree program allows for pre-registration for the upcoming registration periods announced on the Academic Calendar. Pre-registration for current students is based on class level. Class level is determined by the sum of completed credits towards your degree and CCS credits in-progress (during a current semester).

    I understand that the number of credits I complete each semester will determine my class level for future registration. I also understand that if I do not meet the class level requirements for future courses, I may be required to obtain approval before registration (or I may be required to take designated courses in a later semester).

    Attendance

    I am expected to follow attendance policies outlined in the syllabus provided for each course and should communicate attendance concerns with appropriate faculty. Poor attendance may negatively affect grades. I am responsible for withdrawing any course that I stop attending within the published drop/withdrawal deadlines on the Academic Calendar. If non-attendance is confirmed for any registered course during the semester, Financial Aid may be adjusted accordingly.

    Satisfactory Academic Progress and GPA Requirements

    As a degree seeking student, I must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, (additional requirements apply for Financial Aid applicants) which include passing at least two-thirds of classes attempted). I understand that my academic progress is monitored each semester by the Financial Aid Office and Academic Advising & Registration to ensure that I am meeting enrollment and Financial Aid eligibility requirements. Additional GPA requirements apply to Art Education programs, honors acknowledgements, and specialized course opportunities.

    Program and Credit Requirements

    Students who do not meet program and/or credit requirements from the 1st and 2nd years (as provided on Curriculum Charts for each major) may receive academic holds, before proceeding further in their program (see Junior Status Policy). Approval is required for any prerequisite overrides and/or program course exceptions.

    Communication

    As a CCS student, I am responsible for checking my CCS student email on a regular basis and understand that all communication related to my academic records, registration, student services, department and campus notifications will be sent to my CCS Gmail account.

    As an undergraduate student at CCS I will be informed of the following requirements during my studies at CCS:

    • Required Academic Advising meetings
    • Departmental meetings
    • Required Department Reviews
    • Required Pre-Graduation Review
    • Required Application for Graduation
    • Upon request for program changes or additions (major changes, studio minors, internship opportunities, studio course placement, etc.), additional portfolio reviews may be required.

    I can work with my Academic Advisor using my records in Student Planning to discuss program/credit options, questions and concerns regarding my progress towards degree completion.

    I understand that Student & Academic Services are available to me as an enrolled undergraduate student to support my personal, academic, professional growth and development.

    I understand that any concerns or questions related to my tuition costs, can be reviewed by the Business Services Offices or Financial Aid Office. If I need to reevaluate my credits per semester or adjust my degree plan, I can discuss options with a CCS Academic Advisor.

    As stated in the CCS Tuition & Registration Agreement, if there is any need to withdraw from CCS, I must contact the Academic Advising & Registration Office immediately and follow procedures outlined for withdrawal and/or leave of absence.

  • Student Agreements – Tuition & Registration

    All students (new and continuing) are required to complete the CCS Tuition and Registration Agreement each academic year to acknowledge and accept registration/tuition policies for each semester they intend to register. The tuition & Registration Agreement is accessible through the Self-Service menu under “Student Agreements”.

    Tuition & Registration Agreement

    This Tuition & Registration Agreement applies to all charges and registration that may take place for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

    I understand that I must register for each semester separately (Fall, Winter, and/or Summer semesters) and tuition charges will be applied for each registered semester (in addition to housing, meal plans or other applicable fees).

    Upon registration of courses, I understand that I am responsible for payment of my tuition (and all other applicable charges) by the deadlines listed on the Academic Calendar, for each registered semester. See Payment Agreement & Disclosure of Collection Costs

    The balance of my charges can be found in Self-Service under “Student Finance” or I may contact the Business Services Office for balance and Tuition Payment Options.

    To review and confirm financial aid eligibility, I can contact the Financial Aid Office and/or review the Financial Aid section in Self-Service.

    DROPS/WITHDRAWALS

    If I no longer wish to attend the College for Creative Studies OR if I need to change/drop credits to adjust my course load, the request to drop/withdraw must be initiated by me (the student); following the drop/withdrawal procedures and deadlines published by the Academic Advising & Registration Office.

    I understand that Complete Withdrawals (removal of all registered classes) cannot be dropped online. To request a COMPLETE withdrawal, I must contact the following office(s):

    • International Undergraduate and International Graduate Studies students – contact the Global Engagement Office.
    • All other Undergraduate, Graduate and/or Teacher Certification students – contact the Academic Advising & Registration Office.

    I understand that if I stop attending any course, it is NOT automatically dropped and I am responsible for charges or grades earned due to not attending. Refunds and/or tuition relief will only be granted according to the published policy and/or by refund deadlines indicated on the Academic Calendar.

    I have read and understand the tuition withdrawal and refund percentage deadlines and the completed list of deadlines for each semester is outlined on the CCS Academic Calendar .

    Important Fall 2024 Dates

    • FALL 2024 CLASSES BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 LAST DAY FOR SECTION CHANGES – SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
    • LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS FOR 100% REFUND – SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
    • FULL CHARGES APPLY TO ALL DROPS/WITHDRAWALS (no refunds) OCTOBER 1 – Nov 22, 2024
    • LAST DAY TO DROP/WITHDRAW A CLASS (for Fall 2024) – NOVEMBER 22, 2024

    Important Winter 2025 Dates

    • WINTER 2025 CLASSES BEGIN ON JANUARY 13, 2025
    • LAST DAY FOR SECTION CHANGES – JANUARY 21, 2025
    • LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS FOR 100% REFUND – JANUARY 21, 2025
    • FULL CHARGES APPLY TO ALL DROPS/WITHDRAWALS (no refunds) – February 11 – March 28, 2025
    • LAST DAY TO DROP/WITHDRAW A CLASS (for Winter 2025) – March 28, 2025

    I understand that updates to my student account and registration is sent to my CCS student email. It is my responsibility to check Self-Service and my CCS email regularly to avoid missing important communication from the Academic Advising & Registration Office, Financial Aid Office, Business Services, and other college departments.