Credit Definition and Accumulation

All credit-bearing courses offered by the Cleveland Institute of Art are offered as semester credit. Fall and Spring terms are at least 16 weeks in length, which includes final examinations, studio critiques, and exhibitions. A credit hour is formally defined as one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction, and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks per semester. CIA defines one credit hour as equivalent to 50 minutes of clock time. At CIA, this is further defined as:

• A three-credit studio course translates to 4.5 hours of scheduled class time per week plus 4 to 4.5 hours of preparation and homework.
• A three-credit Liberal Arts course translates to 2.5 hours of scheduled class time per week plus 6.5 hours of preparation and homework.

For internships, three semester hours are earned for a minimum of 120 hours on the job. For information on specific courses or guidance on scheduling, contact Academic Advising.

Cleveland Institute of Art offers a Summer term that is nine weeks in length aimed at new students who start in a Spring term. CO/RE studio courses are scheduled for three weeks each. This is further defined as:

• A three-credit Summer studio course translates to 22.5 hours of scheduled class time per week plus 22.5 hours of preparation and homework.
• A three-credit Summer Liberal Arts course translates to 5 hours of scheduled class time per week plus 10 hours of preparation and homework.

Completion of the College’s degree requirements in four years assumes that a student consistently carries the normal credit load of 15 to 18 credits per semester. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or above may schedule more than 18 credit hours in a semester, up to a maximum of 21 credits, and will be charged the per-credit rate for the number of credits taken over 18. Students must see an academic advisor to get permission to register for more than 18 credits.

The number of credits accumulated toward the BFA degree is evaluated regularly by the Registrar’s Office. Students with credit deficiencies must meet with an academic advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain standard progress toward the degree and to keep track of curriculum requirements. Degree audits are available online through myCIA.

Course Leveling and Definitions

Course Level 100-199: These courses are commonly considered introductory, focusing on terms, concepts, and new ways of thinking within disciplines.

Course Level 200-299: These courses offer a continuation of terms and concepts with a more specific focus on given disciplines or topics. Focus on skills in evaluation and analysis at an introductory level within major disciplines and at a beginning-intermediate level within Liberal Arts and Foundation.

Course Level 300-399: These courses focus on intermediate conceptual knowledge and techniques within or across disciplines. Focus on analysis, contextualization, and evaluation for professional, academic, and creative skill building.

Course Level 400-499: These courses focus on advanced outcomes within and across disciplines. Focus on advanced concepts, techniques, and evaluation for professional, academic, and creative development.

Lower Division: Courses numbered 100-299. Commonly taken by first- and second-year students, with learning objectives that reflect introductory or intermediate levels of competency.

Upper Division: Courses numbered 300-499. Commonly taken by third- and fourth-year students, with learning objectives that reflect intermediate or advanced levels of competency. These courses may have prerequisites or co-requisites.

Prerequisites: A course requirement that must be completed prior to a more advanced course.

Corequisites: A course requirement that must be completed at the same time as another course, so learning is concurrent.

Double Counting and Unique Credit

Unique credits are defined as credits used solely for one area, such as a minor or Liberal Arts. Double counting is when a course is allowed to count toward two different requirements. No course may count twice within the same requirement (such as a major).

• Minors: Each minor must have at least 9 unique credits that do not count toward any other degree requirement.
• Liberal Arts: A maximum of 9 credits can count toward the major and the Liberal Arts requirements. A maximum of 6 credits can count toward the minor and the Liberal Arts requirements. All other Liberal Arts credits must be unique.
• Double Majors: Each major must have at least 18 unique credits.