The President’s Honor Roll recognizes students who have completed six (6) or more credits of letter-graded coursework during the semester, with a 3.80 grade point average or better.
The Academic Dean’s Honor Roll recognizes students who have completed six (6) or more credits of letter-grade coursework in a semester with a 3.50-3.79 grade point average.
Academic honors are noted on a student’s official transcript and grade reports.
Graduation and Degree Requirements
Each major program of study requires that the student satisfactorily complete prescribed coursework or an approved equivalent. The coursework includes a prescribed number of credits in each curricular area. Students may choose to enroll in eight consecutive semesters or enroll in less than three terms per year. To remain active, students must attend at least one of three consecutive semesters. The required coursework for each degree is listed in this catalog under Degree Programs.
A student is eligible to participate in Commencement when the degree program has been completed in the Fall or Spring term of the current academic year or is reasonably expected to be completed at the end of the Summer term.
Academic honesty is a fundamental principle of the educational process in which faculty and students are engaged. Any willful act that invalidates the evaluation of student work, by misrepresenting the relation between the quality of the work and the actual state of knowledge, understanding, and ability of the student, is an act of academic dishonesty. Penalties for academic dishonesty are reported in the student’s official file and range from an “F” grade for the student’s work to academic probation. For the complete Academic Integrity Policy consult the Student Handbook.
Junior or senior level students may receive credit for preapproved internship experiences. Internship opportunities are available in local industry under the coordination of the Career Development Office. In order to receive academic credit, students must complete and Intern Contract and submit a 2 page proposal. Internship experiences must be preapproved by the appropriate academic department prior to the beginning of the internship placement.
Once students secure an internship, they may register for the class with the Registrar. Career Development can assist students in finding internships and provides many resources to help create a resume and demo reel.
Interns generally work 10-15 hours per week, but must complete a minimum of 150 hours at their site. They must also submit a mid term and final paper to receive course credit.
Current Internship Opportunities include...
Activision
PDI/Dreamworks
Ultracade
EA Games
... and many others throughout California.
A student’s academic standing is designated on the student’s official transcript.
Good Academic Standing
A student is in good academic standing if the student’s cumulative grade point average is 2.00 or higher. A student in good academic standing is eligible to enroll in the following semester.
Academic Probation
A student is on academic probation if the student’s cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00. A student on academic probation may register for classes only after agreeing with the academic advisor on a strategy to improve the GPA. The Academic Dean’s approval is required for registration.
Academic Disqualification
A student is disqualified if the student begins a semester on academic probation and receives a grade point average less than 2.00 for that semester.
A student on academic probation is not disqualified if the grade point average for the semester in which the student is currently enrolled is 2.00 or higher and the student is demonstrating progress toward improving the GPA. The student continues to be on academic probation if the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00 but will not be disqualified.
A student who is disqualified is dismissed from Cogswell College for a minimum of one semester, after which the student can appeal for reinstatement.
Appeal for Reinstatement after Academic Disqualification
To be reinstated, a student must apply to the Dean of the College, who will convene a committee to evaluate the student’s records. A student will not be reinstated unless all of the following are satisfied:
1. The cause of the student’s poor work has been identified and addressed
2. Evidence is presented that the student has improved the capability for success such as satisfactory work at another institution in courses that qualify for transfer
3. There is a reasonable expectation that the student will qualify for graduation, which requires a 2.00 or better grade point average in all coursework
The decision to reinstate a student is rendered by a sub-committee of the Academic Standards Committee, as convened by the Dean of the College
A disqualified student wishing to change majors must apply for reinstatement to the new major department.
A student may receive more than one degree from Cogswell College.
To enroll for an additional degree, current students must submit an approved Declaration of Major form with the required signatures to the Registrar’s Office. A student must complete all graduation requirements for each degree received.
Cogswell students are expected to attend every class session scheduled for each course in which they enroll. Individual instructors may present to students specific attendance requirements at the first meeting of the class. Students who miss a class must make arrangements with instructors to take any examination or complete any make-up work at a time other than that scheduled.
A student may change majors by completing the appropriate form available from the Registrar’s Office and obtaining the required signatures. All course requirements for the new major must be satisfied to qualify for the degree sought. A change of major does not change the student’s academic standing. The transaction is not official until the Declaration of Major Form is received by the Registrar’s Office. If a student has been suspended or disqualified, an appeal for readmittance under the new major must also be filed.
The class standing of an individual is determined as follows:
0 - 32 credits successfully completed - Freshman
33 - 65 credits successfully completed - Sophomore
66 - 97 credits successfully completed - Junior
Above 97 credits successfully completed - Senior
The College uses the following four-point grading system:
Grades used in GPA Calculation
| Grade | Points/Crredit | comment |
| A+ | 4.0 | with distinction |
| A | 4.0 | |
| A- | 3.7 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | |
| B | 3.0 | |
| B- | 2.7 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | |
| C | 2.0 | |
| C- | 1.7 | |
| D+ | 1.3 | |
| D | 1.0 | |
| D- | 0.7 | |
| F | 0.0 |
Grades not Used in GPA Calculation:
R Retaken
N Grade not received from instructor
I Incomplete
P Satisfactory, “C” or better, credit received
NP Unsatisfactory, no credit received
W Withdrawal, no credit received
AU Audit, no credit received
T Transfer credit awarded
Incomplete
An Incomplete ( I ) grade may be used if the student has essentially completed the course except for a missing examination, project, or paper. An Incomplete is not considered a grade, and as such will not serve to satisfy the prerequisite requirement of any subsequent course. The grade of “I” converts to the default grade if the work is not completed by the assigned timeline, unless an extension is obtained from the instructor (with the approval of the Dean of the College).
Pass/Fail
Students may elect to take a course that is not used to satisfy a designated requirement for graduating in their major on a Pass/Fail basis. This option must be declared before the last day to drop classes. Students wishing to change their enrollment status in a course to Pass/Fail must present their request in writing to the Registrar’s Office within the required time period. If the instructor is not informed of the student’s enrollment status he/she will assign a letter grade at the end of the term. Grades of “A+ through C-” are converted into a “P” by the Registrar’s Office. Elective credit, which applies towards graduation, is earned for courses completed with a “P” grade, but the grade is not used in grade point average calculations.
Audit
A course may be taken on an audit basis. This option must be declared when the student registers for the course. For a course taken on an audit basis, no unit credit or grade is earned. The grade report and official transcript indicate “AU” for the course. A course taken on an audit basis does not satisfy a prerequisite requirement, cannot be subsequently challenged, nor used as the basis to waive a graduation requirement.
Students can register to audit a course after the official registration or during the first week of classes only if there are seats available.
Withdrawal
A “W” indicates withdrawal from class. A drop form must be submitted to the Registrar prior to the last day to drop.
No Credit Received
An “N” is used when a grade is not received from the instructor. No credit is recorded for coursework until a grade is received.
The GPA is calculated according to the following formula:
GPA = Sum of (Grade Point Value X Course Credits)
Total Credits
When a course is taken a second time, credits are awarded only once and the highest grade is used in computing the GPA. Both grades appear on the transcript. An “R” appears after the grade of the course that has been retaken and is not counted in the GPA. Some courses may be taken more than once for credit (see course descriptions).
Grade reports are mailed to students the week following the last day of classes. If prior written arrangements are made with the Registrar’s Office by the student, grades may be picked up at the Registrar’s office.
Only the instructor of a class, with the approval of the Dean of the College, may change a grade received by the student. If a student feels an incorrect grade has been received, the matter should be discussed with the instructor, and the grade appeal procedure used if satisfaction is not received. No grades are changed after a year from the date the grade was received or after the student has graduated.
Grade appeals are initiated by the student to the instructor involved. If a student is not satisfied with the instructor’s explanation and action, the student may appeal to the Dean of the College.
The Dean of the College will form an Appeals Committee of three faculty and/or students (who have completed the course involved) to examine the student’s and the instructor’s records. The committee will consist of one member chosen by the student, one by the instructor, and one by the Dean of the College. The committee will render the final decision.
In academic matters, the decision of the Dean of the College, and in financial matters, the decision of the Vice President for Finance, is considered final. A written appeal on such decisions may be submitted to the President. If the President considers the situation to warrant adjudication, an appropriate hearing will be arranged.
Each major program of study requires that the student satisfactorily complete prescribed coursework or an approved equivalent. The coursework includes a prescribed number of credits in each curricular area. Students may choose to enroll in eight consecutive semesters or enroll in less than three semesters per year. To remain active, students must attend at least one of three consecutive semesters. The required coursework for each degree is listed in this catalog under Degree Programs.
A student is eligible to participate in Commencement when the degree program has been completed in the Fall or Spring term of the current academic year or is reasonably expected to be completed at the end of the Summer term.
B.A. in Digital Arts and Animation
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 127
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 33
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
B.S. in Digital Audio Technology
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 129
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 35
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
B.A. in Digital Motion Picture
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 128
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 34
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
B.S. in Electrical Engineering
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 128
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 34
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
B.S. in Software Engineering
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 130
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 36
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
B.S. in Digital Arts Engineering
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 130
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 36
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
Degrees at a Distance Program
Minimum Degree Requirement Credits - 120
Minimum Residency Credits Needed - 26
Minimum Major Residency Credits - 18
Maximum Transfer Credits - 70
(2-year institution)
Maximum Transfer Credits - 94
(4-year institution)
A student must be registered or have an approved guest authorization form for study at another institution and have a declared major at Cogswell College during the semester in which he or she completes the requirements for any degree.
A student receiving an Incomplete has the following semester to remove the deficiency without a change of graduation date. If the Incomplete is removed after that time, the graduation date will be the semester in which the grade change is recorded.
To receive a degree a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better.
A student who maintains a 3.50, 3.65 and 3.8 or better at degree completion will graduate with honors cum laude (honors), magna cum laude (high honors), or summa cum laude (highest honors) respectively.
The graduation check is the official confirmation of the completion of all the requirements for a degree. A graduation check is necessary to ensure all appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the Registrar’s office and to ensure the student file is complete before a diploma is awarded. Students should keep close track of all coursework completed and contact their advisor each semester. A graduation check is initiated by a full-time student when he/she is within 15-18 credits of graduation and by a part-time student when he/she is within 9 credits of graduation.
To initiate a graduation check a student must:
1. Request an Application for Graduation form from the Registrar’s Office
2. Submit appropriate fees to the Business Office and a completed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar’s Office
Fees:
A $100.00 fee is required for processing a graduation check. The fee includes graduation expenses such as cap, gown and diploma.
Students eligible to apply for double degrees simultaneously need only pay one fee. The fee for subsequent degrees at the same level (i.e. additional bachelors) will be $20.00.
Schedule:
All graduation checks must be submitted to the Registrar within the first two weeks of the semester in order to be processed. Graduation checks are processed during the third and fourth weeks of the semester and sent to the student’s advisor and to the Dean of the College for review and approval. A written verification is mailed to students in the sixth week of the semester.
Midterm exams are usually given before the eighth week of the semester. Following the exams, instructors are asked to submit the names of students who are not maintaining a “C-” average or higher. A midterm deficiency report is sent to these students. Students receiving a deficiency report must consult with their advisor as well as the course instructor to determine what they must do to succeed in the course. A midterm deficiency is not noted on the student’s transcript. It is used only to advise students of their progress.
Degree student. A degree candidate who has applied, been properly admitted, registered, and is actively pursuing a degree.
Visitor. A visitor is a non-degree seeking student. Appropriate credits earned as a visitor apply toward a degree program upon admission to the College. Visitor status may not apply to international students.
Full-time student. A student who is enrolled for 12 or more credits.
Part-time student. A student who is enrolled for fewer than 12 credits.
Auditor. A student who is enrolled in a class, but who is not taking the course for credit. The auditor is allowed to participate in class discussions and take exams. The course will be noted on the student’s transcripts by ‘audit’ rather than by a letter grade. Degree students as well as visitors may audit courses. An auditing student will be charged the audit-rate tuition. An audit grade may not be changed to a letter grade.
Returning Student. A returning student is one who has not attended Cogswell for three or more consecutive semesters. When re-entering Cogswell, the returning student’s previous coursework is evaluated according to the degree requirements as listed in the current catalog.
It is the responsibility of students to:
Cogswell College expects high standards of honesty and integrity from all members of the community. The College is committed to creating an environment that facilitates the academic and personal growth of its members. The College, therefore, has a duty to protect its educational purpose through the setting of standards of scholarship and conduct. To this end, it is each student’s responsibility to read and comply with the Code of Student Conduct. The Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Code of Student Conduct manual are available through the Admissions Office and Student Life Office.
