Academic Standing and Advancement Policy

To be in good standing and to register unconditionally, students must meet the requirements of the College Academic Standing and Advancement Policy, as well as the program requirements.

College Policy

Academic Standing

Please refer to Bylaw 8: Concerning the Promotion of Academic Success in English or French.

Program Policy

Academic standing

Specific Education disciplines in the Graphic Design Program include: Graphic Design (570), and Fine Arts (510 and 520).

• Students who fail the same Specific Education course twice will be expelled from the program.
• Students who fail three or more Graphic Design (570) Specific Education courses in one semester will be expelled from the program.
• Students must complete the Graphic Design Program within five years from the date of entry to the Program.

Students who do not satisfy the criteria of this Standing Policy will be expelled from the Program and the College. The expelled student has the right to appeal the expulsion to the College Academic Standing Appeals Committee.

Advancement

• Students must pass all Specific Education courses in a term before advancing to the following term.
• In order to advance to term five, students must have passed at least 10 General Education courses.
• In order to advance to term six, students must have passed 12 of 14 required General Education courses. Students with 3 or more General Education Courses outstanding can only advance if they submit a Graduation Plan that is recommended by the Graphic Design Program Coordinator for approval by the Dean of Creative & Applied Arts.

Students who are prevented from advancing in their Specific Education courses will be allowed to take General Education courses and must submit a request for permission to resume studies or a program transfer before the subsequent semester (fall or winter). Students not taking any courses in a semester must reapply to the College by the application deadline.

The objectives of this policy are:

1. To ensure that each student registered in the program makes an effort to complete the program in a reasonable time consistent with his/her ability.
2. To ensure that students who are unsuited to the program (for academic and/or non-academic reasons) are identified and given appropriate advice as early as possible.
3. To remain in good standing a student must satisfy the college policy on standing and advancement.

The implication of unsatisfactory standing is that the student’s case will be examined by the program coordinator. The student will be asked to attend an interview with the program academic standing committee . In every case a recommendation will be made. Expulsion from the program is possible at this stage.

Literacy policy

When submitting course work in English, French and Graphic Design, students are expected to adhere to college-level standards of literacy and presentation and to follow a standard academic documentation style such as the MLA Style sheet.

Attendance policy

Presence and participation are necessary components of learning. Students who fail to attend or participate may jeopardize their successful completion of courses.

Cheating and plagiarism policy

Both academic research and creative production are based on intellectual honesty and artistic integrity. Therefore any act of plagiarism & the unacknowledged use of source material – may result in a failing grade for the project or assignment. It is the students responsibility, moreover, to ensure that other students do not make unauthorized use of their work. See the Institutional Student Evaluation Policy in the Dawson College Calendar.

Professional conduct

Students are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior referred to as “professional conduct”. Students must be respectful of College property and safety regulations. Students must display consistent courtesy, teamwork and cooperative behavior toward faculty, staff and fellow students. Professional conduct must be displayed in all activities associated with the program. Students who exhibit inappropriate behavior may be removed from the program. The procedure for removing students from the program on the basis of professional conduct will be applied in accordance with the College’s Institutional Student Evaluation Policy (ISEP).