Academics – Page 2 – Faculty Handbook

Upper-Level Course Readiness

A BFA student achieves Upper-Level Course Readiness (UCR) upon earning a minimum of 60 credits, as required for Junior class level. The successful completion of Studio Foundations and core Liberal Arts courses is necessary to ensure progression toward degree requirements and eligibility for 300 and 400 level (or higher) courses. Students must:

Complete all 12-18 credits of Foundation courses (based on their major requirements).
Complete 12 credits of 100/200 level core Liberal Arts credits before enrolling in Junior-level departmental studio courses, including:
- WRT102, Composition II
- AHV 100, Introduction to Material Culture
- DHU —, Humanities Elective*
- Art History Option, Choose one of the following:
  - AHV 203, Global Art History I
  - AHV 204, Global Art History II

*Humanities Requirement may be waived for select majors

A 3-Year BA student achieves UCR upon successful completion of their initial required 45 credits.

Students who do not meet UCR requirements are evaluated and may receive a “UCR hold” to address outstanding credits; registration approval may then be required. Each department determines which departmental courses students must complete before progressing to upper-level courses within their department.

Exceptions:

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

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

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

Restricted Course

Students who intend to register for a course that is restricted to a particular major or class level (for example, Product Design only or juniors only) and who are not in that department or at the required class level must have the Department Chair or Program Manager complete and sign the Registration Permission form and submit it to the Academic Advising and Registration Office.

Adding/Dropping Classes

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

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

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

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

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

Attendance

Regular class attendance is essential for learning and academic success. Students are expected to attend all class meetings, on time and for the full duration, and be prepared to work on that day’s assignment. Faculty are responsible for establishing an attendance policy for each of their classes and for outlining that policy on the course syllabus. Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policy for their class and adhering to those requirements. Exceptions to an instructor’s attendance policy should be discussed with that instructor.

CCS Students using veterans’ benefits will have attendance monitored throughout the semester for reporting purposes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

Related Forms

ABSENCE EXPLANATION FORM