The current Academic Catalog in effect at the time of admission to the CIA describes the academic requirements, policies, and responsibilities obligatory to both students and the college. Should academic requirements change during a student's uninterrupted course of study, the student is not required to abide by the changes unless it is specifically stated otherwise. The catalog at the time of admission will serve as the guide.
Students experiencing an interruption of study lasting a year or more must request readmission. For the full policy on readmission to The Culinary Institute of America, please see the Readmission Policy. Undergraduate students who have been away from the CIA for more than ten (10) years will be held to the requirements of the academic catalog in effect at the time of readmission. Graduate students who have been away from the CIA for more than five (5) years will be held to the requirements of the academic catalog in effect at the time of readmission.
Students requesting readmission into degree programs that began prior to 2002 (the year of the CIA's accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education) will be required to complete College Writing (LITC-100) , request transfer credit for the course taken at another accredited college or university, or score 50 or higher on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Composition Modular (no essay). See Transfer Credit for more details.
A student who has successfully completed all courses, maintained the minimum cumulative grade point average required for graduation (2.0 for undergraduate programs; 3.0 for graduate programs), and met all attendance requirements will be considered an eligible candidate for the earned degree or certificate. Degrees and certificates are conferred at the conclusion of the student's final semester regardless of the end date of the final course.