Academic Policies
Academic and Metier Progress Policy
Undergraduate / BFA Students
BFA students' academic and metier progress will be reviewed each semester by their mentor, program director, and/or dean, in partnership with the Offices of the Registrar and Academic Advising. Unsatisfactory progress will result in Warning 1. Continued unsatisfactory progress may result in Warning 2, Suspension, and Dismissal from the Institute.
Acceptable progress toward an undergraduate degree consists of passing at least two-thirds (66.67%) of units attempted each semester and passing all relevant level 100 Critical Studies requirements. It may also require passing all metier requirements and meeting program expectations concerning attendance and engagement, as per practices in the relevant metier. For the purpose of calculating acceptable progress, incomplete grades and withdrawals will be treated as no credit. After grades are submitted each semester, a student’s progress will be processed by the Office of the Registrar. Students with unsatisfactory progress will be notified regarding changes to their standing, expectations for improvement, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities.
Categories of Academic & Metier Standing
Acceptable Standing
A student is making acceptable progress toward an undergraduate degree by passing two-thirds of units attempted each semester and passing all relevant level 100 Critical Studies requirements. They may also be required to pass all metier requirements and meet program expectations concerning attendance and engagement.
Warning 1
If a student does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be placed on Warning 1 for the following semester. Students on Warning 1 may be limited to enrolling in a maximum of 15 units and may be required to enroll in a specified number of Critical Studies or metier units. Students on Warning 1 are required to meet with their mentor, program director, and/or academic advisor during their semester of Warning 1. If a student on Warning 1 meets the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be returned to acceptable standing.
Warning 2
If a student on Warning 1 does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be placed on Warning 2 for the following semester. Students on Warning 2 are limited to enrolling in a maximum of 15 units and may be required to enroll in a specified number of Critical Studies or metier units. Students on Warning 2 may be advised to catch up on units by taking summer courses. Students on Warning 2 may not participate in study abroad or internship programs. Students on Warning 2 are required to meet with their mentor, program director, and/or academic advisor twice during their semester of notice. If a student on Warning 2 meets the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be returned to acceptable standing.
Suspension
If a student on Warning 2 does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be suspended from the Institute for the following semester. Upon return from suspension, a student will be placed on Warning 2.
Dismissal
If, upon return from suspension, a student does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be dismissed from the Institute.
Appeals
Students may appeal an academic standing suspension or dismissal. To appeal, a student must submit a petition stating the grounds for appeal to the Registrar within one week of the date of the notice of suspension or dismissal. Students may contact the Student Advocate in the Office of Student Affairs (studentaffairs@calarts.edu) for information and support during the appeal process. If a student’s appeal is granted, they will be placed on Warning 2 and informed of requirements for continued enrollment, such as expectations for improvement, required meetings, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities. If at the end of the semester, the student has not met all the requirements for continued enrollment, they will be dismissed from the Institute. Additional information about the Appeal Policy is available here.
Recommended Rate of Progression
It is possible for a student to maintain “acceptable standing” but not be progressing through their degree requirements at a rate sufficient to graduate in 4 years. Students must complete an average of 15 units per semester to meet the total units required to graduate in 4 years. Students must enroll in at least 12 units per semester to maintain full-time status. Students must take at least 46 Critical Studies units to graduate.
Year Level | Semester | Recommended Critical Studies units | Recommended metier and elective units | Total |
BFA1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | |
BFA2 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | |
BFA3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | |
BFA4 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | |
Total | 46 | 74 | 120 |
Letter of Concern
At any point in the semester, a school or program may opt to issue a letter of concern to students who are at risk of failing one or more courses. Reasons for issuing a letter of concern may include:
Absences and/or tardiness (arriving late to class)
Missing assignments or exams
Class participation or engagement concerns
Overall class performance
Referrals to campus resources
The letter will list the reason(s) for the concern and consequences of not resolving the concern, and may require students to meet with their mentor, program director, dean, or academic advisor for assistance.
Graduate Students / MFA, MA
MFA and MA students’ progress will be reviewed each semester by their mentor, program director, and/or dean, in partnership with the Office of the Registrar. Acceptable progress consists of passing at least two-thirds (66.67%) of units attempted each semester. It may also require passing all metier requirements and meeting program expectations concerning attendance and engagement, as per practices in the relevant metier. Unsatisfactory progress will result in Warning. Continued unsatisfactory progress may result in suspension and dismissal from the Institute.
For the purpose of calculating acceptable progress, incomplete grades and withdrawals will be treated as no credit. After grades are submitted each semester, a student’s progress will be processed by the Office of the Registrar. Students with unsatisfactory progress will be notified regarding changes to their standing, expectations for improvement, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities.
Categories of Academic Standing
Acceptable Standing
A student is making acceptable progress toward an MFA or MA degree by passing two-thirds of units attempted each semester. They may also be required to pass all metier requirements and meet program expectations concerning attendance and engagement.
Warning
If a student does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be placed on Warning for the following semester. Students on Warning are required to meet with their mentor, program director, and/or dean twice during their semester of Warning. If a student on Warning meets the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be returned to acceptable standing.
Suspension
If a student on Warning does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be suspended from the Institute for the following semester. Upon return from suspension, a student will be placed on Warning.
Dismissal
If, upon return from suspension, a student does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be dismissed from the Institute.
Appeals
Students may appeal an academic standing suspension or dismissal. To appeal, a student must submit a petition stating the grounds for appeal to the Registrar within one week of the date of the notice of suspension or dismissal. Students may contact the Student Advocate in the Office of Student Affairs (studentaffairs@calarts.edu) for information and support during the appeal process. If the student’s appeal is granted, they will be placed on Warning and informed of requirements for continued enrollment, such as expectations for improvement, required meetings, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities. If at the end of the semester, the student has not met all the requirements for continued enrollment, they will be dismissed from the Institute. Additional information about the Appeal Policy is available here.
Recommended Rate of Progression
It is possible for a student to maintain “acceptable standing” but not be progressing through their degree requirements at a rate sufficient to graduate in the prescribed program length.
Degree Type | Prescribed Program Length | Recommended units completed per semester |
MFA (2 year) | 2 years | 15 |
MFA (3 year) | 3 years | 10 |
MA | 2 years | 12 (Year 1) 6 (Year 2) |
Letter of Concern
At any point in the semester, a school or program may opt to issue a letter of concern to students who are at risk of failing one or more courses. Reasons for issuing a letter of concern may include:
Absences and/or tardiness (arriving late to class)
Missing assignments or exams
Class participation concerns
Overall class performance
Referrals to campus resources
The letter will list the reason(s) for the concern and consequences of not resolving the concern, and may require students to meet with their mentor, program director, or dean for assistance.
Graduate Students / Doctor of Musical Arts
DMA students’ progress will be reviewed each semester by their mentor, program director, and/or dean, in partnership with the Office of the Registrar. Acceptable academic progress consists of passing at least two-thirds (66.67%) of units attempted each semester. It may also require passing all metier requirements and meeting program expectations concerning attendance and engagement, as per practices in the relevant metier. Unsatisfactory progress will result in Warning. Continued unsatisfactory progress may result in dismissal from the Institute.
For the purpose of calculating acceptable progress, incomplete grades and withdrawals will be treated as no credit. After grades are submitted each semester, a student’s progress will be processed by the Office of the Registrar. Students with unsatisfactory progress will be notified regarding changes to their standing, expectations for improvement, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities.
Categories of Academic Standing
Acceptable Standing
A student is making acceptable progress toward a DMA degree by passing two-thirds of units attempted each semester. They may also be required to pass all metier requirements and meet program expectations concerning attendance and engagement.
Warning
If a student does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be placed on Warning for the following semester. Students on Warning are required to meet with their mentor, program director, and/or dean twice during their semester of Warning. If a student on Warning meets the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be returned to acceptable standing.
Dismissal
If a student on Warning does not meet the requirements for acceptable standing, they will be dismissed from the Institute.
Appeals
Students may appeal an academic standing dismissal. To appeal, a student must submit a petition stating the grounds for appeal to the Registrar within one week of the date of the notice of suspension or dismissal. Students may contact the Student Advocate in the Office of Student Affairs (studentaffairs@calarts.edu) for information and support during the appeal process. If the student’s appeal is granted, they will be placed on Warning and informed of requirements for continued enrollment, such as expectations for improvement, required meetings, and any restrictions on course choice, unit load, and co-curricular activities. If at the end of the semester, the student has not met all the requirements for continued enrollment, they will be dismissed from the Institute. Additional information about the Appeal Policy is available here.
Recommended Rate of Progression
It is possible for a student to maintain “acceptable standing” but not be progressing through their degree requirements at a rate sufficient to graduate in 3 years. DMA students must complete an average of 10 units per semester to meet the total units required to graduate in 3 years.
Letter of Concern
At any point in the semester, a school or program may opt to issue a letter of concern to students who are at risk of failing one or more courses. Reasons for issuing a letter of concern may include:
Absences and/or tardiness (arriving late to class)
Missing assignments or exams
Class participation concerns
Overall class performance
Referrals to campus resources
The letter will list the reason(s) for the concern and consequences of not resolving the concern, and may require students to meet with their mentor, program director, or dean for assistance.
Certificate of Fine Arts Students and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts Students
Certificate students’ progress will be reviewed each semester by their mentor, faculty, and/or dean. Acceptable progress consists of passing at least two-thirds (66.67%) of classes each semester.
All Students
This is a minimum standard for acceptable progress toward a degree.
Individual schools and metiers may have additional degree requirements (e.g., exhibitions, performances, and reviews) and additional expectations for acceptable progress toward degree completion beyond the Institute-wide standard.
Financial aid regulations require the Institute to ensure that all students who are receiving financial aid maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree, which includes additional requirements, detailed here.
International students need to be enrolled full time in order to maintain their F-1 visa and immigration status.
Approved in Deans Council: November 12, 2024
Approved in Academic Council: December 5, 2024