Degree and Certificate Policies

Students entering Bachelor’s Degree, Associate Degree, and Undergraduate Certificate programs are expected to have earned a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent. Any student under 18 years of age must provide the signed permission of a parent or guardian. Applicants are notified of acceptance or denial by email. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that Sessions College has received all required elements by the application deadline.

The following is a detailed list of application requirements:

1. Completed application form.
2. Original 500-word essay, written in your own words, expressing why you are interested in your chosen major (Graphic Design, Digital Media, Illustration, and so on.) Essays will be evaluated for style and content, as well as grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling.
3. 5-10 samples of your original art, design, or digital media work* OR an original written creative skills assessment (Available on request.)
4. Transcripts from your high school ** OR any college courses and/or programs completed. (Transcripts must be provided for any course you wish evaluated for credit transfer.)
5. A $75 Application Fee to process your application.

* Notice on the use of AI generated work: Any art, design, or digital media work or written content provided must be your original work. This means that you did not alter someone else’s work and/or use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create your work (visual or written). If you included royalty free images in your work, include a document that features your source materials along with links to the images.
** GED and state-approved home school transcripts are acceptable alternatives to high school transcripts.

The Undergraduate Certificate is an open admissions program, with a convenient online application process. Students entering the program are expected to have earned a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent.

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of a valid, minimum score of 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report or 50 on the Duolingo English Proficiency Test or a high school diploma completed at an accredited high school where the medium of instruction is English.

The code for submitting TOEFL scores is 6346.

Students enrolling in degree or certificate programs are expected to self-certify that they have received a high school diploma or acceptable alternative in their college application and their FAFSA application (if applicable). If there is reason to believe that a student’s high school diploma or alternative is not valid, the school reserves the right to confirm its validity through dialogue with the high school and/or relevant department or agency in the state.

Sessions College offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program that enables prospective students with evidence of college-level skills or knowledge to have their skills and experience evaluated for credit towards a degree. Prior Learning Assessment is available to students applying for Associate or Bachelor’s degree classes beginning in the January 2023 term.

Evidence of prior learning is evaluated by qualified experts and awarded when the evidence of skills or knowledge provided meets or exceeds the competencies defined for selected Sessions College courses. Students awarded credits through the PLA program may lower their program costs and earn their degree more quickly.

Sessions College is in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, or national origin in its activities, programs, or employment policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws.

Sessions College is committed to providing qualified students who have a disability an equal opportunity to access the benefits of educational programs and activities in compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Accommodations are provided to qualified students with disabilities. Students who believe they require accommodations should contact a Student Advisor at advisor@sessions.edu or call 800-258-4115 Option 2.

Upon completing registration, students are enrolled into an online Orientation class which must be completed by the end of the week before the start of term. In order to complete Orientation, students must:

1. Create a student profile.
2. Complete an advisor interview via telephone or email.
3. Get comfortable with how to access and utilize the Sessions learning environment.
4. Confirm their program schedule with their Student Advisor.

One three-credit elective is available to all Associate Degree students, and two three-credit electives are available to all Bachelor’s Degree students. See program information pages for course options available for each major. The elective course may be selected at time of enrollment or no later than the semester prior to the elective course. Students may contact their student advisor to make or change their selection.

All students are expected to start their programs on a timely basis. In order to start, a student must submit at least one graded exercise/discussion during their first week of scheduled assignments each semester. Students who are non-starts will be dismissed within 10 calendar days of the start of term.

Add/drop period occurs during the first five days of the semester. During this period, students may add or drop classes, subject to advisor approval, without academic or financial penalty. No new student will be admitted after the add/drop period.

Students in degree programs generally enroll on a full-time basis, earning a minimum of 12 credits in each semester. Students who wish to pursue an accelerated schedule may request permission to take up to 18 credits per semester.
Part-time schedules are available for students with busy work commitments. Part-time programs are completed over a longer time frame. Per-credit tuition is higher for part-time programs and tuition must be paid by semester.

Associate Degree example:

• Three-quarter time (3/4) students take 9 credits a semester and complete in under 3 years.
• Half time (1/2) students take 6 credits a semester and complete in 4 years.

Students wishing to change their status from full-time to part-time or vice versa will be assessed a status change fee of $150.

The program of study is delivered in 15-week semesters. Each week, students are expected to complete a scheduled academic assignment in each class. Academic assignments in classes are categorized as Exercises, Discussions, or Critiques. These assignments are due by midnight, 11:59AM on Friday, Arizona time. Additional points for discussions/critiques can be earned by posting earlier in the week. Assignments will be evaluated by instructors and grades will be posted within seven days from the assignment deadline. Students can access a detailed schedule of assignment due dates in their online courses at the beginning of each semester.

Students are considered “attending a class” if they participate in assigned Discussions/Critiques or post assigned Exercise on a weekly basis. If a student repeatedly fails to participate in class by not posting their exercises or participating in discussions/critiques, they can be dropped from that class. Being dropped from a class due to lack of participation results in a grade of AF (Administrative Failure). This counts as a failing grade and will affect the student’s GPA and could result in financial implications.

There are two scenarios that could lead to a student being dropped from a class or classes due to non-participation:

Scenario 1: Student does not post/submit a scheduled academic assignment (Exercise, Discussion, or Critique) for three consecutive weeks.

Scenario 2: Student fails to submit three Exercises (not submitted and are overdue).

If a student faces challenges that interfere with their ability to actively and consistently participate in class, we strongly recommend that the student contact their Academic Advisor or the Student Services department as soon as possible.

In order to complete the Bachelor’s Degree program, students must:

• Complete a total of 120 credits of course work.
• Complete 30 credits of general education course work.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
• Have resolved all financial obligations to Sessions College for Professional Design.

In order to complete the Associate Degree program, students must:

• Complete a total of 72 credits of course work.
• Complete 18 credits of general education course work.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
• Have resolved all financial obligations to Sessions College for Professional Design.

In order to complete the Undergraduate Certificate program, students must:

• Complete a total of 24 credits of course work.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
• Have resolved all financial obligations to Sessions College for Professional Design.

Any questions about graduation requirements can be directed to your Student Advisor.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is applied equally to all students enrolled in Bachelor’s Degree, Associate Degree, and Undergraduate Certificate programs. Satisfactory academic progress is determined by cumulative grade point average (GPA) and progress made through the program. Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of every semester.

All students must meet the following requirements for satisfactory academic progress:

• Achieve a GPA of 1.5 or higher in the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all subsequent semesters. (AOS and BFA program)
• Achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all semesters. (Undergraduate Certificate program)
• Complete at least 50% of all credit hours attempted each semester up to the program midpoint.
• Complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted each semester from program midpoint to graduation.
• Be able to complete the program within 150 percent of the published length of the program, measured in credit hours.

All transfer credits that apply toward a student’s current program will be counted as hours completed and not towards hours attempted. Undergraduate Certificate students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA during the first 1-12 credits attempted.

Grade point average in degree courses is calculated by the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Non-passing grades are figured into satisfactory academic progress in the following ways:

• Incomplete (I) or Withdrawal (W): Not calculated in a student’s GPA, but counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, only the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, but both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Administrative failure (AF): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, both the AF and the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Failure (F): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, both the F and the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Repeated (R): If a course is repeated the original course will be marked R when the student passes the repeated course. The original attempt will count towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework but not towards his or her GPA.
• All transfer credits that apply toward a student’s current program will be counted as hours completed and not towards hours attempted.

Students may enroll in any incomplete, withdrawn, or failed course the following term. Students who are dismissed from the program may re-apply to Sessions following the standard admissions process and are not guaranteed admission.

If a student receives a passing grade (D grade or better) and the student retakes the course to obtain a better grade, that course can be counted for the enrollment period. However, a student may only take one repetition of a previously passed course or any repetition of a previously passed course due to the student failing other coursework and still receive Title IV aid.

Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements will receive official notification from the Student Services Department within 2 business days of the end of term. A student who fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress will receive a notice of academic warning. Any student receiving an academic warning is expected to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester. A student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the semester may face dismissal from the College.

Any Federal Student Aid eligible student on Academic Warning may continue to receive assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs for one semester only. If the student does not meet SAP at the end of the Academic Warning period; he or she will lose Title IV, HEA eligibility; with the right to appeal. The student will be placed on an Academic Development Status, with a loss of Title IV, HEA funding, and will be required to meet specific criteria of an improvement plan to assist them in regaining SAP and Title IV, HEA eligibility.

During this period the student will not be eligible to receive Title IV, HEA funds but he/she may continue on a cash-pay basis with an approved institutional payment plan. Arrangements for payment must be approved within 10 school days of notification of development status.

A student who fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements after a semester on Academic Warning and who successfully appeals may be placed on Academic Probation. A student on Academic Probation is notified that he/she is expected to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester. Any  Federal Student Aid eligible student on Academic Probation may continue to receive assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs for one semester only.

An Academic Probation student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester may face dismissal from the College. The student may re-establish satisfactory academic progress by meeting SAP requirements, by meeting a personal learning plan established for the student by the College, or by appeal. See Appeals Process below.

Any student may appeal an academic progress decision by submitting a written appeal letter explaining the mitigating circumstances that hindered academic progress. Appeals must be in writing and sent to the attention of the Academic Appeals Committee at appeals@sessions.edu within five (5) business days of receiving the SAP notification.

Mitigating circumstances may include death of a relative, unexpected injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstance for which there is documented proof. The College may request such documentation when reviewing the appeal.

The College will review the appeal within five (5) business days of receipt. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the academic decision will stand. If the appeal is successful, the student will be permitted to continue subject to meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements or the requirements of a provided personal learning plan at the next evaluation point.

As a result of not meeting SAP requirements, a student who was previously eligible for Federal Student Aid may wish to reestablish financial aid eligibility while continuing their program on a self-funding basis.

A student receiving Federal financial aid who loses financial aid eligibility may continue to attend the program subject to meeting the general satisfactory academic progress policy, but during a period without financial aid, the student will be responsible for all expenses associated with attending the program.

A student wishing to re-establish financial aid eligibility must agree to meet the requirements of a provided academic plan and fulfill that plan. The student may regain eligibility by securing a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and/or resolving other SAP requirements by completing courses with satisfactory grades in a defined time period. The student may then be approved to receive aid for the aid period after re-establishing eligibility.

Students are expected to adhere to the published schedule of their program and maintain satisfactory academic progress. If a student needs to take off a semester but wishes to stay enrolled, he or she must submit a leave of absence request.

By filing a leave of absence, a student requests permission to withdraw from classes for a semester and be readmitted in the following semester. A leave of absence for any semester cannot be granted any later than the end of the first week of that semester. A student who withdraws from classes after week one will be subject to the withdrawal and refund policies for that semester.

In order to be granted a leave of absence, a student must:

1. Have completed at least one semester of coursework.
2. Be meeting the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
3. Have tuition account paid in full at the time of request.

Leaves of absence requests must be made using a Leave of Absence form and are subject to approval of the Student Services and Bursar offices. The fee for a leave of absence is $150. Students are expected to return to classes at the beginning of the next semester and may return without a re-enrollment fee.

If a student does not return from a leave of absence, the student will be considered unofficially withdrawn on the date of last attendance before they leave, or officially withdrawn on the date that the student informs the College that they do not expect to return from their leave.

To change a program, a student must:

1. Communicate with their Student Advisor,
2. Submit a “Program Change Request” document – request from advisor@sessions.edu. 

The Program Change Request and the student’s academic/financial standing with the college will be reviewed by the Director of Student Services, a member of the Finance Team, and a member of the Education Team. Upon approval of this change, the student is required to sign a new enrollment agreement which will be filed in the student’s academic file.

If a student is at the point of dismissal for Satisfactory Academic Progress in the first major, that student must be put on Academic/ Financial Aid Dismissal, appeal the dismissal, have the appeal granted based on mitigating circumstances before transferring to the new major. Under no circumstances can a request to change majors circumvent a dismissal of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

In cases in which a student has graduated from one program in the College then subsequently begins work in a different program, grades earned in the first program, if applicable to the new program, will be recorded as transferred credit and will not be included in the Cumulative Grade Point Average. Only courses in taken in the new program will be added to the Grade Point Average.

Students are expected to adhere to the published schedule of their program and maintain satisfactory academic progress. If a student needs to take off a semester but wishes to stay enrolled, he or she must submit a leave of absence request.

By filing a leave of absence, a student requests permission to withdraw from classes for a semester and be readmitted in the following semester. A leave of absence for any semester cannot be granted any later than the end of the first week of that semester. A student who withdraws from classes after week one will be subject to the withdrawal and refund policies for that semester.

In order to be granted a leave of absence, a student must:

1. Have completed at least one semester of coursework
2. Be meeting the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
3. Have tuition account paid in full at the time of request.

Leaves of absence requests must be made using a Leave of Absence form and are subject to approval of the Student Services and Bursar offices. The fee for a leave of absence is $150. Students are expected to return to classes at the beginning of the next semester and may return without a re-enrollment fee.

If a student does not return from a leave of absence, the student will be considered unofficially withdrawn on the date of last attendance before they leave, or officially withdrawn on the date that the student informs the College that they do not expect to return from their leave.

Students who received a failing grade in a course or who wish to repeat it may retake the course at standard tuition. Upon third attempt of a course, a $100 retake fee is required in addition to standard tuition.

Federal Student Aid: Please note that students eligible for Federal Student Aid may only receive aid for a single retake of a course that has already been passed.

VRRAP Program: Students in the VRRAP program can be eligible for up to 12 months of tuition and fees in order to complete a program, and a monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates. In order to assist students with achieving their educational goals within that timeframe, a VRRAP student will be entitled to retake a maximum of two courses at no tuition charge. A student who fails more than two courses will not be permitted to continue the program under VRRAP funding. Under VRRAP program rules, all students must complete their programs within the allocated 12 months and complete their program by 12/11/22.

Students who have voluntarily withdrawn from the college and are in good standing, may re-enroll in the program and will be subject to a $150 re-enrollment fee.

Students who were on Academic Warning, or Academic Probation at the time of their voluntarily withdrawal, will be placed back on their warning or probation status and same requirements will apply, upon successful re-admission and will be subject to a $150 re-enrollment fee. The students who were on Academic Probation will be conditionally accepted with the understanding that the student will submit a revised personal learning plan, approved by their Academic Advisor and uploaded to the student’s academic file to complete the enrollment process. Any student who returns a year after leaving the program is required to re-apply for a program.

Students who were academically dismissed must wait one year after leaving the program before they re-apply. Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the college.

A “Non-Start” student is an individual who repeatedly (more than once) enrolled in a Sessions College degree level, matriculated into a program, but did not officially start the program.  A “Withdrawal” student is an individual who has previously started a semester and withdrawn after the “drop add” period.

Any student who has repeatedly become a non-start or withdrawal from a degree level program (Undergraduate Certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree) will be required to submit a Returning Student application for Acceptance Committee review, in addition to submitting all the required materials per admissions and financial aid. Returning Student applications will be evaluated to assess whether the student is academically prepared to enter the program, with answers evaluated for logic, critical thinking, and quality of written communication.

A student applying to the degree program must pay a non- refundable application fee of $75. Upon acceptance to the program, a student registering for a program must pay tuition plus a registration fee of $200.

A student who cancels a degree program within five days of the beginning of orientation is entitled to a full refund of the registration fee and tuition. After five days, if a student cancels this contract, the school may retain the application and registration fees plus a percentage of tuition based on the number of weeks elapsed in each semester not to exceed the following amounts.

Refundable tuition due to the student in each semester:

For example, a student canceling after the 2nd week of a semester would be entitled to a refund of 70% of the tuition for that semester. A student withdrawing from a course or program may notify the school of cancellation in any manner, by email, fax, phone, or mail:

Email: bursar@sessions.edu
Fax: 1-602-354-9436
Mail: Sessions College ATTN: Bursar Main Campus
404 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, AZ 85281

Within 30 days after withdrawal or dismissal, Sessions College shall tender to the student any refund that is due. Any questions regarding the refund policy may be directed to bursar@sessions. edu.