ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Art Education Program
MFA Program
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ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR THE ART EDUCATION PROGRAM

Grading System

The Art Education department uses a standard letter grading system of Honors, A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C or Fail (F). Students completing 80% of their course work in a given course may request an incomplete. Unless the professor grants an extension in writing, students must resolve all incompletes by the middle of the following semester, or the grade converts to a failing one.

Registration

Art Education graduate students must register on a continuing basis for the summer, fall, and spring semesters of each academic year until they complete the program, unless granted a formal leave of absence.

Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, Readmission

The graduate program adheres to general college policies regarding leave of absence, withdrawal, and readmission. Graduate students requesting such actions should obtain the appropriate forms from the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education. Teacher Preparation Program students are limited to two semesters leave of absence during their course of study.

Unless granted an official leave of absence, a student who fails to register is considered to have withdrawn from the program. If the student leaves the college within a term, he or she must withdraw formally to receive any applicable refund and to avoid the posting of no-credit grades on the records. A student who is on leave of absence or who has withdrawn from the program is not entitled to the use of the library, studio space, or other college facilities, or to faculty time.

Academic Standing

A student must make satisfactory or reasonable progress toward completion of a degree or program within the maximum time allotted. MSAE students have 5 years; Teacher Preparation Program students have 3 years. These periods may be extended only on petition to the department and Associate Dean of Graduate Education. An approved leave of absence extends the maximum time for a period equivalent to the leave.

Academic Standing in the MSAE Program

Students in the MSAE program are expected to earn a B or better in all course work. Students who receive a B- or lower in any course are placed on academic probation. Any student on academic probation in any two semesters is subject to review for academic dismissal by the department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

Students may repeat a course in which they received a low grade only once.

Academic Standing in the Teacher Preparation Program

Students in the Teacher Preparation Program are expected to maintain a grade average of B or better. Any student whose grade average falls below a B in any one semester or who receives a B- or lower in any course, is placed on academic probation. Any student on academic probation in any two semesters is subject to review for academic dismissal by the department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

A student who receives a low grade in any course may repeat that course only once.

All prerequisite courses must be satisfactorily completed before the student can register for Saturday Studios Prepracticum II.  Before students register for this course, department faculty review their records in accordance with State Department of Education standards 1-5. Students considered deficient in the required studio competencies may be advised to register for course work in excess of the necessary program credits to qualify for entry to the Saturday Studios Prepracticum II course and student teaching.

To receive a student teaching assignment and complete the program, students must receive a B or better in the Saturday Studios Prepracticum II course.  In addition, students must have passed all sections of the MTEL (teacher test) in order to student teach.

Mid-Semester Warning

A mid-semester warning alerts the student and his/her advisor that the student appears to be having difficulty with the course and may not pass.

Academic Probation/Dismissal

A student who is not achieving a consistent level of professional development in the program is subject to review for academic dismissal by the department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

Any student who receives an NC/F in any course is placed on academic probation. Students who receive one or more NC/F evaluations in any two semesters are reviewed for academic dismissal.

Any student who is placed on probation or who is being considered for academic dismissal is notified by the Associate Dean of Graduate Education in writing. Every effort is made to help the student resume satisfactory progress in the program.

Right of Appeal

Any student who wants to appeal an academic decision of dismissal may request a hearing by writing to the Director of Graduate Programs.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits earned before matriculation toward Art Education core courses.  In all cases, transfer credit must be approved by the program advisor and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

Assistantships

MSAE and Teacher Preparation students are eligible to apply for paid graduate assistantships during any semester of the program. Depending on the particular assistantship, students work 5 to 10 hours per week. Possible assistantships include work with Saturday Studios, the department's media lab, or the Exhibitions Program.

Graduation

To participate in graduation and receive a diploma, students must complete all requirements of the MSAE Program.
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ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR THE MFA PROGRAM

Credit and Evaluation

Course Load

Students in the MFA program are expected to fulfill a 2-year residency, to attend 2 years full-time to complete the program. Students in the MFA in Design program may attend the program on a part-time schedule and complete the degree in three years.

The normal full-time graduate load is 30 credits per academic year, 15 credits per semester. A minimum of 12 credits a semester is considered full-time. Some students carry 12 credits during each semester of the 2-year residency and register for electives during the summer sessions immediately before and between the two academic years of formal residency.

Graduate students should not carry more than the normal 15 credit full-time load.

A student may drop below the 12-15 credit full-time load and extend the program beyond the 2-year residency only with the approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate Education and the student’s department.

For certain students, part-time study carries certain risks. For instance, foreign students may have to be full-time at the College to retain their visas. In addition, students receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits risk losing some of their funding if their credit load drops below 12 credits a semester.

Students must register for a minimum of six credits in their Studio Major to receive a studio space in the program.

Continuing Registration

Unless granted a formal leave-of-absence, MFA students must register for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year until the program is completed. Students must register for a minimum of 6 credits in the major studio in each semester until the thesis is completed to receive studio space. Major Studio credits beyond the 24 required for the degree are in excess of the 60 credits required to complete the program.

A student who has completed the requirements for the Major Studio including the thesis, and has only elective courses to complete, need not register for the Major Studio, but will not be assigned studio space.

Evaluation

Informal reviews of student work occur throughout each semester. The appropriate course instructors and the MFA studio advisors grant course credit at the end of each semester. Credit for projects is based on recommendations by review boards conducted at the end of each semester by advisors, departmental faculty, and invited outside professionals.

Independent Study, Directed Study, Cross-Registration

If a course suitable for graduate level work or appropriate to a student's need is not available during a given semester, the student may undertake an independent study for studio elective credit or credit in Art Education. Students who have a substantial background in art history have available a Directed Study option. Students interested in cross-registration at other institutions should consult the Associate Dean of Graduate Education for information.

Change of Concentration

The college recognizes that some students may change the focus of their work during their course of study and may want to move to another department. Such students must petition the Associate Dean of Graduate Education and must be admitted formally by the new department. Recommendations are sought from the faculty advisors and from the chairs of both departments before a change of concentration is approved. A change of concentration may require additional semesters of work to complete the degree.

Grading System

The MFA Program uses a pass/no credit grading system, as follows:

P - Pass: Successful completion of course requirements.

INC - Incomplete: A temporary designation, indicating that at least 80% of the course requirements have been met and that the remaining requirements are expected to be completed, and a permanent grade issued by the middle of the next semester. The student is responsible for bringing a Change of Grade along with completed work to the instructor. This form is then filed with the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education. If the student does not complete the work or request an extension from the professor in writing before the subsequent mid-semester, the incomplete reverts to a no credit. Occasionally an instructor will agree to an extension for the completion of course work. In this case an Extension of Incomplete form must be completed and submitted to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.

W - Withdrawal: The student withdrew from the course before mid-semester. This designation appears on the student's evaluation report at the end of the semester, but is not recorded on the permanent record. The mid-semester point is the deadline for officially withdrawing from a course.

NC - No Credit: The student's work in the course was not acceptable, and credit cannot be granted.

All evaluations received other than the administrative designation of “W” (withdrawn) remain as a permanent transcript record. This includes the designation of INC (incomplete) when a student does not complete the course work and the non-passing grade (NC).

Although the undergraduate Critical Studies, Design, and Art Education departments use letter grades, MFA students in these courses are evaluated according to the pass/no credit system, to maintain consistent evaluation. MFA students must receive a grade of B or better for such courses to indicate that they have successfully completed the all of the course requirements.

Course Evaluations

Students may request written course evaluations for any course taken at the college. The student must provide the faculty member with the evaluation form, which is available in the Registrar's office, before the end of the Add/Drop period of the semester in which the class is taken. The faculty member submits course evaluations to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education with the grade sheets for the semester. Information provided on the evaluations is not added to the student's transcript; however, the form is kept in the student's permanent file and copies of all Course Evaluations are sent with all transcripts requested. Evaluations are intended to provide a description of the student's achievement in the course; they should address the student's attendance, class participation, motivation, the work produced, and the student's progress and technical expertise in the subject area. Letter grade equivalents are not given for pass/no credit courses.

Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, Readmission

The MFA program adheres to general college policies regarding leaves of absence, withdrawal, and readmission. Graduate students requesting such actions should obtain the appropriate forms from the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Unless granted an official leave of absence, a student who fails to register is considered to have withdrawn from the program. A student leaving the college within a term must withdraw formally to receive any applicable refund and to avoid the posting of no credit grades on the records. A student who is on leave of absence or has withdrawn from the program is not entitled to use of the library, studio space, or other college facilities, or to faculty time.

Academic Standing

Academic Good Standing

Students are expected to receive an evaluation of P (Pass) in all courses.

A student must make satisfactory or reasonable progress toward completion of a degree program within the 2-year time allotted to the MFA (3 years for the MFA in Design on a part-time schedule). The time limit may be extended only on petition to the department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education. An approved leave of absence extends the maximum time for a period equivalent to the leave.

Mid-Semester Warning

A mid-semester warning alerts the student and advisor that the student appears to be having difficulty with a course and may earn a grade of no credit. Faculty attempt to give mid-semester warnings to all students who are encountering difficulty with their courses. In some cases, students who do not receive a mid-semester warning may nonetheless receive a grade of no credit at the semester’s conclusion.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

A student who is not achieving a consistent level of professional development in the program may be placed on academic probation and is subject to academic dismissal by the department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

The Associate Dean of Graduate Education, in consultation with the student’s Major Studio Advisor (or Advisors) can place a student on academic probation if a student is not achieving a consistent level of professional achievement in their courses. This can occur even if a student has not received a grade of no credit in any course. Any student who receives a grade of no credit in any studio course or a grade of B- or less in any art education or critical studies course is automatically placed on academic probation.

The Associate Dean of Graduate Education notifies in writing any student who is being placed on academic probation or who is being considered for academic dismissal. Every effort will be made to help the student resume satisfactory progress in the program. Students on academic probation may not receive any teaching assistantships.

If a student on academic probation receives a grade of no credit in a studio course or a grade of B- or less in an art education or critical studies course, this student is subject to academic dismissal at the end of the semester. This decision to dismiss is made by the Associate Dean of Graduate Education in consultation with the student’s Major Studio Advisor(s). Any decision to dismiss a student is communicated promptly to the student. In addition, the Associate Dean of Graduate Education confirms this decision in writing.

Any student who wishes to make an appointment to discuss any of these academic actions with the Associate Dean of Graduate Education is encouraged to do so.

Right of Appeal

Any student who wishes to appeal an academic decision of dismissal may request a hearing. The request should be made in writing to the Associate Dean of Graduate Education. The Associate Dean, in consultation with the Graduate Council, will organize an ad hoc committee to hear the appeal. The ad hoc committee will consist of the student’s Major Studio Advisor and the Department Chair, the Associate Dean of Graduate Education, a faculty member from the home department, and a member of the faculty from another department. Each of these members shall have one vote. If the student has more than one advisor, the advisors shall vote as one member.

Transfer Credit

Graduate students can transfer a maximum of 6 credits. To be transferable, courses must have been taken at the graduate level and must carry a grade of B or better. The Associate Dean of Graduate Education must approve all recommendations for transfer credit.

MFA transfer credit may not be granted for foreign language study, work in non-accredited institutions, work done as a special student at the college or another institution, or work done out-of-residence during the program without the approval of the advisor and Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

Assistantships

The college awards three different types of assistantships to MFA students: technical, administrative, and teaching. All assistantships are assigned as either quarter, half, or full assistantships; the award amount is based on the number of hours of work per week (2.5 to 10 hours). The Associate Dean of Graduate Education awards all assistantships according to student need and ability, departmental needs, and budgetary allotments.

Graduation

To participate in graduation and receive a diploma, students must complete all requirements of the MFA Program, including the thesis exhibition or project and the documentation of the thesis.