HOURS OF OPERATION
The Visual Communications Design Program's normal hours of operation during the academic year are 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday except for holidays and when the College is closed. Curriculum is normally delivered 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday to Friday. The Visual Communications Design Technical Support Office operates Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

The Program also supports Extended Hours Access to the Program's facilities by Visual Communications Design Program Major Students for studies and research purposes. Special considerations can be made and must be cleared through security.

BACHELOR OF DESIGN DEGREE REGULATIONS
The Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree is offered with majors in Photography and Visual Communications Design. The BDes in Photography may be awarded upon successful completion of 120 credits including a minimum of 30 credits in liberal studies courses. The BDes in Visual Communications Design may be awarded upon successful completion of 123 credits including a minimum of 30 credits in liberal studies courses.

Both Bachelor of Design Majors are designed to offer students a progressive learning experience. The combination of courses allows students to gather information relevant to their major area of study through a combination of studio and liberal studies courses.

ACAD graduates who were previously awarded the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Communications Design may apply to change their credential from the BFA to the BDes. In order to receive the BDes credential, Visual Communications Design BFA graduates must surrender their BFA parchment and submit the applicable credential replacement fee.

ACAD graduates who were awarded the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photographic Arts between May 1995 and May 2002 may apply to upgrade their credential from the BFA to the BDes upon completion of VSCM.210, 212, 221 and 380, or their equivalents, as approved by the Chair of Design. The last date to complete these courses is June 30, 2009. Upon successful completion of these courses, students must apply to graduate and surrender their BFA parchment.

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WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES
Students may officially withdraw from a course or courses without failure until the end of the ninth week of classes in the Fall and Winter semesters. Students should check teh Academic Schedule for specific withdrawal dates. It is expected that instructors will have provided students with feedback on their progress in their courses by this date. Students who choose to officially withdraw after this date will be assigned a grade of "WF" – Withdrawal/Failure. Students who stop attending classes and fail to officially withdraw will be assigned a grade of "F" – Failure.

To officially withdraw from a course or courses, students must complete a Drop/Add Form. The official date of withdrawal will be the date the completed form is returned to the Registrar's Office, not the date the student stopped attending classes.

Exceptions to the withdrawal deadline may be made for students with extenuating medical or compassionate grounds. Students seeking special consideration should direct their requests to the Registrar and must provide supporting documentation of their circumstances with their requests.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE
Students may officially withdraw from the College without failure at any time during the semester, provided they complete a Withdrawal from the College Form and return it to the Registrar's Office. The official date of withdrawal will be the date the completed form is returned to the Registrar's Office, not the date the student stopped attending classes. Students who stop attending classes. Students who stop attending classes and fail to officially withdraw from the College will be assigned grades of "F" – Failure for all courses in which they were registered.

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SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT
Students entering their fourth year in 2004/2005 must complete a total of two 3-credit liberal studies courses in lieu of studio courses to satisfy BDES requirements. If VSCM.380 or a CLST/CMST course was taken in third year, then only one CLST/CMST course is required at fourth year. This does not reduce the total number of credits required for the year, however. Students may substitute two social science courses, or one social science and either a natural/applied science or a second language course from another institution through the Transfer Credit/Letter of Permisssion process.

EQUIPMENT
In the second semester of second year, majors will be required to purchase a computer and relevant software as part of equipment and material requirements. The Department will provide the necessary spcifications. See Equipment.

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Full Policy/Procedures