• About
• Admission
• Academic Programs
• News
• Events
• Support Cornish

• Registration Home
• Academic Transcripts
• Academic Calendar
• Schedule of Classes
• Enrollment Verification
• Policies
  • Academic Policies
  • Family Education Rights
  • Student Right-to-Know Act
  • Tuition and Fees
  • Voter Information
• Commencement
• Summer Program

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Parents
• Alumni
• Faculty & Staff
• Friends

Registration and Records

Academic Policies

Cornish College of the Arts reserves the right to change the rules, calendar and fees regulating admission and registration, to change regulations concerning graduation requirements, to withdraw courses from the curriculum and to change any other regulation affecting the student body. These changes apply to prospective students as well as students currently enrolled at Cornish.

• Student Right-to-Know Act
• Equal Opportunity Policy
• Buckley Amendment: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
• Academic Progress
• Academic Standards Review
• Add/Drop of a Course
• Advanced Placement
• Advanced Placement Credit
• CLEP Credit
• Credit by Examination
• Commencement
• Graduation Requirements
• Humanities & Sciences Credits
• Incomplete Grade
• Independent Study
• Leave of Absence
• Pass/Fail Credit
• Prior Learning Experience
• Transfer Credits

Student Right-to-Know Act

In compliance with the Federal Government, Cornish College of the Arts issues persistence and/or graduation rates and crime statistics on July 1 of each year. Graduation rates track how many students graduate from a given incoming class. All of this information is published through the Registration and Records Office and is available to students upon request.

Equal Opportunity Policy

Cornish College of the Arts does not discriminate in education or employment on the basis of: gender, race, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. This policy is consistent with relevant federal regulations and statutes, including those pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions regarding the application of this policy and information on services for disabled persons may be referred to the Counselor or the Director of Human Resources.

Back to Top ^

Buckley Amendment:
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

The right to privacy as provided by the Buckley Amendment (the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA) requires that Cornish College of the Arts refrain from disclosing a student's personal information to a public or private person or agency without prior permission from the student. Students may review their educational records, excluding recommendations, evaluations and other private notices, by contacting the Registration & Records Office. Cornish College is permitted to continue normal business and activities by this act and, therefore, the College is allowed to define which administrators, faculty, staff and outside agencies will be allowed access to student records.

1. Procedure to Inspect Educational Records
   Students may inspect and review their educational records upon request to the Registrar or the Provost. Students should submit a written request specifically identifying the records in question. The Registrar will make needed arrangements for access to the records as soon as possible, and in no case more than 45 days from the receipt of the request.
2. Disclosure of Educational Records
   Cornish College of the Arts will disclose information to other parties from the student's educational records only with the written consent of the student, with certain exceptions. (The Registration and Records Office can provide a list of these exceptions).
3. Directory Information
   When the student fills out the Directory Release section on the Student Information Form at registration each term, he/she may choose to authorize the release to other parties of some or all directory information, which includes address, telephone number, birth date, dates of attendance, degrees awarded, photograph, and enrollment status.

Back to Top ^

Academic Progress

In addition to class standing, consult department curriculum requirements to ensure timely graduation.

Class Standing

Minimum credits required to achieve class standings are as follows:

Freshmen	0-29 credits
Sophomore	30-59 credits
Junior	60-89 credits
Senior	90 and above credits

Grading System

Cornish College's grading system is based on the following grade values:

A	4.00	B-	2.70	D+	1.30
A-	3.70	C+	2.30	D	1.00
B+	3.30	C	2.00	D-	0.70
B	3.00	C-	1.70	F	0.00

There grades are computed to determine student's grade point average, non-credit audit (NC) and Pass (P) in a pass/fail class are not computed in student's grade point average (GPA). Students may retake a failed course to receive a passing grade; however, both the F grade and the passing grade will be calculated in their cumulative GPA.

Back to Top ^

Academic Standards Review

A minimum grade standard is required of all Cornish students. Matriculated students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) during the course of their studies. Students falling below the standard GPA minimum requirements will be subject to written warning, placement on academic probation, or suspension.

Add/Drop of a Course

Students are responsible for completing all courses listed on their registration form. If it is necessary to add or drop a course after the registration process is completed, students must obtain a Change of Registration Form from the Registration & Records Office. The form requires signatures from the student's Department Chair or the Humanities and Sciences Program director (depending on the course) and a registration staff member. If the student receives Financial Aid, the signature of a Financial Aid officer is also required in the event that the change of registration affects the student's status. Students who withdraw from any course after the eighth day of the semester receive a 'W' (withdrawal) notation on their academic transcript.

Back to Top ^

Advanced Placement

Cornish awards college credit based on test scores earned on the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Placement (AP) tests and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. No more than 6 semester credits may be satisfied through the Advanced Placement (AP) tests and CLEP subject exams. Students must submit official score reports to the Admissions Office before enrollment at Cornish. Score reports must be no more than five years old at the time of application. The College does not award transfer credit on the basis of placement exams taken at other institutions.

Advanced Placement Credit

College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement test scores of 5, 4 and 3 are accepted for college credit by Cornish College; scores below a 3 are not eligible for credit at the College. Studio Art examinations are not accepted for college credit in the major at Cornish. Cornish grants credit for AP tests in the following subjects only:

Art History

AP score 5: 6 credits for Visual Art History I & II

AP score 3 or 4: 3 credits for Visual Art History I

English

Language and Composition AP score 5: 6 credits English Composition

AP score 3 or 4: 3 credits English Composition

Literature and Composition AP score 5: 3 credits English Composition AND 3 credits Literature

AP score 3 or 4: 3 credits English Composition OR 3 credits Literature

History

American and European AP score 3, 4, or 5: 3 credits Humanities and Sciences Electives

Languages

French, German, Latin (Horace, Catullus, Virgil), and Spanish AP score 3, 4 or 5: 3 credits Humanities and Sciences Electives

Literature

French and Spanish AP score 3, 4 or 5: 3 credits Humanities and Sciences Electives

Music

Listening and Literature Theory AP score 3, 4, or 5: See Music Department Chair for credit and placement.

Science and Mathematics

Biology, Calculus AB and BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics B, Physics C - Mechanics, Physics C - Electricity/ Magnetism AP score 5: 3 credits Humanities and Sciences Electives OR Science

AP score 3 or 4: 3 credits Science

Back to Top ^

CLEP Credit

Cornish accepts credits for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject to examinations if the student has scored at the 50th percentile or higher. Credit will not be granted for the general CLEP examination. The Registration and Records Office will evaluate all CLEP credits for new students.

Credit by Examination

Currently enrolled students may challenge courses in their major by taking an examination and paying a fee of $30 per credit challenged. Cornish College will not award a student more than 30 semester credits combined for Prior Learning Experience (PLE) and Credit by Examination (CBE).

Back to Top ^

Commencement

Commencement ceremonies for Cornish graduates occurs in May of each year. This much-anticipated and always entertaining event is free to the family and friends of graduates and to the Cornish community. Guests are invited to also attend a reception following the ceremony. For more information, contact the Registration and Records Office.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Music (BM) degree must meet the criteria listed below:

1. Total credit requirements in programs ranges from 120-130. These credits must be distributed as follows: 84-94 credits in the major area of study; 30 credits in the Humanities and Sciences program; and 6 credits of arts electives outside the major area of study.
2. Complete the final four semesters and final 60 semester credits in the major (two years studying full-time) as a matriculated student in residence at Cornish College of the Arts.
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
4. Satisfy all requirements in the major.
5. Convert all incomplete grades to passing grades.
6. File a graduation application with the Registration and Records Office. Early application is recommended to enable a degree audit to be completed prior to registration for the senior year. If degree requirements change during the time students are enrolled at Cornish, students may elect either to complete a baccalaureate degree under the new requirements or remain under the requirements applicable at the time they became matriculated students. Students may not combine provisions of the old and new programs.

Back to Top ^

Humanities & Sciences Credits

A maximum of 30 credits in Humanities and Sciences may be granted for transfer. Prior history in major course work may transfer depending on the department of entry. An Associate of Arts degree from a Washington state community college will guarantee the transfer of a minimum of 30 semester credits in Humanities and Sciences. Once enrolled in a degree program at Cornish College of the Arts, students may not fulfill Humanities and Sciences requirements at another institution.

Incomplete Grade

An incomplete grade is recorded on a student's academic transcripts only if he/she has done satisfactory work in a course and cannot complete all assignments before the end of the semester because of illness or other serious personal problems beyond the student's control. Students may not request an incomplete grade from the instructor until the 12th week of the semester, and they have until the 9th week of the following semester to complete the course for a passing grade. Contact the Registration and Records Office to request an Incomplete Contract.

Back to Top ^

Independent Study

Department curricula are assumed by the College to provide a complete training path. However, juniors and seniors may be permitted to pursue a maximum of 4 credits of Independent Study, which must consist of research outside the established curriculum and otherwise unavailable in any department. Independent Study is defined as student-performed research and study. The Department Chair assigns faculty a limited number of hours to consult with the students and to provide evaluation at the conclusion of the study.

Leave of Absence

If a student needs to take a Leave of Absence from the College for a period of up to two semesters (one academic year), but intends to return to Cornish to complete his/her degree, a Leave of Absence Form can be obtained from the Registration and Records Office. The student needs to schedule appointments with the following individuals in the order listed: the student's Department Chair, the Director for Financial Aid (if applicable), the Business Manager and the Registrar. Only students who are in good academic standing are eligible to be granted a Leave of Absence.

Back to Top ^

Pass/Fail Credit

Students may apply no more than 6 credits taken on a pass/fail basis towards their baccalaureate degree. Pass/fail credit is utilized for Arts Elective courses. Humanities and Sciences requirements and/or major requirements (unless designated by the department curricula) may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Prior Learning Experience

Students may receive credit for prior learning experience. Prior Learning Experience (PLE) is documented experience gained prior to enrollment in a degree program at Cornish. Common PLE credit includes credit for instruction in student's major from a non-accredited institution (i.e., a technical school) or extensive work or study with a professional or professional organization prior to entering a degree program. For a fee of $30 per credit, students may petition for a maximum of 30 semester credits of Prior Learning Experience credit. Cornish grants PLE credits only within the major and for arts elective courses. The Department Chair may recommend PLE credits following a portfolio review or audition. Students will be informed at the time of admission as to the possibility of earning Prior Learning Experience credits; however, PLE credits are not granted until a student completes one full-time semester in good academic standing. At the end of the first semester, students may submit petition to their Department Chair and the Registrar. Specific documentation is necessary for an assessment and granting of PLE credits; documentation varies in each academic department, and it is recommended that students discuss the needed materials with their Department Chair or the Registrar.

Back to Top ^

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 70 transfer credits (including AP, CLEP, CBE, and PLE) maybe granted and applied toward a student's degree. College level, non-remedial course work graded 'C' or better from regionally accredited institution will be considered for transfer at time of application for admission. Applicants will receive formal notification of transfer credit granted when admitted to the College.

Withdrawal from the College

To withdraw from the College, obtain a Withdrawal Form from the Registration & Records Office. The student must schedule exit interviews with the following: the student's Department Chair, the Financial Aid Office (if applicable) the Business Manager and the Registrar. Official withdrawal does not cancel the student's obligation to pay tuition, fees, and all other charges in full. Contact the Registration & Records Office for more information.

Back to Top ^