This page covers:

• General information about taking time away from CCA
• NEW: Temporary increase in transfer credit maximum

We know that the global pandemic has impacted our students and their families in profound ways. There is no substitute for the connections that you make with your instructors and classmates at CCA, but for undergraduate students who have made the difficult decision to take time away from CCA, we want to make it as easy as possible to come back to us. The best way to do so is by:

1. Making sure that you have completed the official Leave of Absence process. If you have not done so or are not sure, contact the following offices:
   • International students: contact ISAP
   • Domestic students: contact Academic Advising

1. Staying in contact. Ask your chair or program manager to let you know about any upcoming all-program meetings.
   
   
2. Completing the Transfer Credit Approval Request (TCAR) process prior to enrollment in any courses outside of CCA. (Note: the updated TCAR process is described on the Student Records Forms Portal page)

If you have general questions about courses to transfer to make your return as smooth as possible, or if you want to learn about some transfer credit options that are only available for the 2020-21 academic year, please see below.

Please be sure to have your potential courses pre-approved by Student Records in advance of enrollment. Otherwise, courses you take may not receive credit at CCA. If you cannot access the new approval form that will be available in Workday in March 2021, or if you have questions about the approval process, please review the Student Records Forms Portal page and contact studentrecords@cca.edu.

For summer 2020 and the 2020-21 academic year only, CCA will temporarily increase the maximum number of transfer credits that undergraduate students can complete while on Leave of Absence (LOA). This policy change will not extend beyond coursework completed after summer 2021.

Normally, students returning from LOA can transfer a maximum of 6 or 12 units, depending on how many they transferred when they matriculated. During summer 2020 (technically part of the 2019-20 academic year), fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021 terms, students can complete a total maximum of 30 transfer units while on LOA without seeking a policy exception so long as they meet the following conditions:

• Students should be on official Leave of Absence. Those who have not completed the LOA process should initiate the process immediately by contacting the following offices:
  • International students: contact ISAP
  • Domestic students: contact Academic Advising

Students should also update their leave status (return semester, etc.) if plans change.

• It is critical that students complete the Transfer Credit Approval Request (TCAR) process prior to enrollment in any courses outside of CCA (the updated TCAR process is described on the Student Records Forms Portal page). Those who have already begun classes should submit approval forms, transcripts, and portfolios as soon as possible. Prior approval is the only way that CCA can assure students that they will be able to achieve the 30 unit maximum and that courses will transfer to CCA as anticipated.
• Standard policies regarding grade minimums, pre-approval, and final approval processes for Humanities & Sciences vs Studio credits, international vs domestic credits, etc. all apply. Concurrent enrollment (enrollment at CCA and another institution at the same time) continues to be prohibited during fall and spring terms, other than the standard exceptions for cross-registration at Mills College and Holy Names College, etc.
• Students should remain in regular contact with their academic advisor and/or program chair while on LOA. Attendance at program-wide meetings is strongly encouraged; students should contact their program chair or program manager for dates.
• Because increased transfer credits can radically impact course sequencing, students should submit transcripts and/or portfolios as soon as credits are complete. A submission of a partially-complete transcript prior to registration for their re-entry term will prevent incorrect course sequencing.
• At the very latest, students must submit final transcripts for classes taken outside CCA to the Student Records office before the end of their first term back at the College and must meet with their academic advisor for a portfolio review of work completed in studio courses before the units can be applied to their CCA requirements.

Those who have completed more than 30 total units can select their preferred 30 units to count towards degree requirements. Please contact Student Records with any general questions.