Grading Policies

A grade and corresponding grade points are assigned after the completion of each class. The grade points determine term and cumulative GPAs. The term GPA indicates academic progress for the term. The cumulative GPA is an average of all term GPAs and is used to determine scholarship eligibility, status and recommendations for degrees and honors.

A student’s GPA is calculated beginning with the first term of study. Classes taken prior to enrollment are not included in this calculation. The GPA is computed by multiplying the semester hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of hours attempted excluding those hours for which a non-computed grade is recorded. All Grade Point Averages include only courses attempted at ArtCenter.

ArtCenter uses the following grading system:

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In accordance with federal regulations, ArtCenter enforces a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, which applies to all students receiving financial aid.

The Financial Aid office monitors academic progress at the end of every term. Students who do not meet minimum standards may lose financial aid eligibility.

Students who are found to be abusing their financial aid privileges by misrepresenting their academic status, and therefore violating federal or state law or College policies, may be subject to more severe penalties.

To receive any financial aid funding, including ArtCenter scholarships, students must meet these minimum standards:

Undergraduate Students

2.50 GPA and successful completion of 67 percent of credits attempted for Federal Student Aid and a 3.0 GPA for scholarships. The maximum total credits attempted cannot be more than 150 percent of a specific degree program’s published length.

Graduate Students

3.00 GPA and successful completion of 67 percent of credits attempted. The maximum total credits attempted cannot be more than 150 percent of a specific degree program’s published length.

Academic Conditions

Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal: Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate degree students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. Students will be placed on academic probation when their cumulative GPA drops below 2.50. Students will be removed from academic probation when their cumulative GPA returns to 2.50 or higher.

Students have two terms to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.50 or higher. Students who do not raise their cumulative GPA to 2.50 or higher within the required two terms (see exception for extended probation below) will be placed on academic suspension. Students on academic suspension may not apply for readmission for one year (i.e., they cannot be enrolled for at least three complete consecutive terms). Students on academic suspension may not attend classes and are subject to a ban from campus and permanent dismissal if they are found to have violated campus rules, College policies or the Student Code of Conduct.

Students will be placed on extended probation after two terms on academic probation if their term GPA is 3.00 or higher but their cumulative GPA remains below 2.50. They may remain on extended probation while maintaining a term GPA of 3.00 or higher until their cumulative GPA is raised to 2.50 or higher.

Academic suspension is a one-time action. Students who re-enter or who are readmitted are placed on extended probation. Undergraduate students who do not attain the required 2.50 cumulative GPA or 3.00 term GPA within one term following their re-entry or readmission are placed on academic dismissal.

Academic dismissal is considered a terminal action, and students who are placed on academic dismissal are not eligible for readmission.

All academic suspension and academic dismissal actions are considered final on the Friday before the start of the next term. Grade changes that occur after the Friday before the start of the next term will not alter the academic suspension or academic dismissal action for that term.

All academic probation, academic suspension and academic dismissal actions are permanently noted in the student’s transcript. Students on academic probation or extended probation cannot receive an Incomplete grade in any of their courses.

Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal: Graduate Students

Graduate students can be placed on academic probation for failing to maintain the required cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Students will be removed from academic probation when their cumulative GPA returns to 3.00 or higher.

Students have one term to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.00 or higher. Students who do not raise their cumulative GPA to 3.00 or higher within the required one term are placed on academic suspension.

Students on academic suspension may not apply for readmission for one year (i.e., they cannot be enrolled for at least three complete consecutive terms).

Academic suspension is a one-time action. Readmitted students who do not attain the required cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the allotted time are placed on academic dismissal. Academic dismissal is considered a terminal action, and students placed on academic dismissal are not eligible for readmission.

All academic suspension and academic dismissal actions are considered final on the Friday before the start of the next term. Grade changes that occur after the Friday before the start of the next term will not alter the academic suspension or academic dismissal action for that term.

All academic probation, academic suspension and academic dismissal actions are permanently noted in the student’s transcript. Students on academic probation cannot receive an Incomplete grade in any of their courses.

Dismissal

ArtCenter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to dismiss students for violations of academic or student conduct policies.

Change of Major

Change of Major requests must be approved by the Department Chair of the new major. Students will be required to submit their portfolio to the Chair of the new department. A change of major may require additional terms of study to complete a degree.

The deadline to submit a Change of Major form to Enrollment Services is prior to the first day of a new term. Change of Major forms are available from the Enrollment Services office.

International students who change their majors must meet with the International Student Advisor in the Center for the Student Experience to have a new, updated I-20 to reflect the change of major.

Portfolio Review

To help ensure that all students make appropriate progress in their studies while at ArtCenter, the College has instituted a mandatory portfolio review process for all students.

Each department has established its own system of portfolio review, specifying at which points in a student’s program the review process will take place. The review process identifies areas of needed development so that a program of remedial coursework and activities can be designed to help students achieve their objectives. Portfolio reviews serve as important developmental milestones for students; a student’s failure to participate fully in the review process may result in dismissal.

Students should check with their Department Chairs for scheduling and procedures for portfolio review.