Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

A student is placed on Academic Probation and/or faces Academic Termination when their cumulative grade point average (CGPA), and/or their incremental completion rate (ICR), do not meet the minimum standards, called “milestones,” at the end of specific quarters of attendance, called “evaluation points.” Students placed on Academic Probation, or those who are terminated from school, are notified via mail/email/telephone during the quarter break. It is important to maintain current contact information with our Registrar’s Office.

Students placed on Academic Probation may attend their classes after meeting with their Academic Advisor and signing a Student Academic Responsibility Agreement (SAPRA). It is strongly recommended that these students meet with their Academic Advisor regularly throughout their probationary period so their advisor can guide them toward meeting their goals and track their overall academic performance. During their probationary period, the student is continuously encouraged to meet the milestones they must reach by their next evaluation point in order to be considered in “good standing” at The Art Institute. Failure to meet these milestones at their next evaluation point may result in Academic Termination from The Art Institute.

Students who face Academic Termination and wish to continue their studies, must complete an appeal process with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Appeal instructions are mailed with termination notification during the quarter break. Students who are terminated and wish to appeal must provide documentation of ¹mitigating circumstances in order for their appeal to be considered. Academic Termination suspends all financial aid/student loans, and those living in school-sponsored housing must make arrangements to vacate their apartment immediately. Should the student’s appeal be granted, the student may continue their studies after meeting with their Academic Advisor and signing a Student Academic Responsibility Agreement (SAPRA). It is strongly recommended that these students meet with their Academic Advisor regularly throughout their termination probationary period so their advisor can guide them toward meeting their goals and track their overall academic performance. During their termination probationary period, the student is continuously encouraged to meet the milestones they must reach by their next evaluation point in order to be considered in “good standing” at The Art Institute. Failure to meet these milestones at their next evaluation point may result in permanent Academic Termination from The Art Institute, with no option to appeal to return.

The table below shows the minimum “milestones” students must meet at each evaluation point, along with the action taken if the “milestone” is not met at that time. Students can visit their Academic Advisor to review their CGPA and calculate their ICR.

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES REGARDLESS OF EVALUATION POINT:

A student will be DISMISSED if failing to pass a Transitional studies course after three (3) attempts.

A student will be PERMANENTLY DISMISSED if failing to complete all program unit requirements within the maximum allowable time frame. These students are not eligible to earn a degree from The Art Institute.

¹Mitigating circumstances are: Death of an immediate family member; Student illness requiring hospitalization (this includes mental health issues); Illness of an immediate family member where the student is a primary caretaker; Illness of an immediate family member where the family member is the primary financial support; Abusive relationships; Divorce proceedings; Previously undocumented disability; Work-related transfer during the term; Change in work schedule during the term; Natural disaster; Family emergency; Financial hardship such as foreclosure or eviction; Loss of transportation where there are no alternative means of transportation; Documentation from the School Counselor and/or a Professional Counselor.