Academic Advising

Academic Standings (Clear, Probation, RTW)

The university will assign your 'Academic Standing' at the end of each term.   You standing is based on your cumulative grade point average.  

If you find yourself on Probation or Required To Withdraw, you will be notified. Don't panic!

Read the detailed FAQ's regarding academic standings (Clear, Probation, Required to Withdraw).  Trust me, it wil help.

As always, if you have any questions, just ask (CRIadvising@ryerson.ca).

Appeals

You must notify your instructor(s) or the teaching or program department as soon as circumstances arise that can impact your academic performance. It is also your responsibility to try to resolve all course related issues with the instructor as soon as they occur and then, if needed, with the Chair/Director of the teaching department/school. Failure to do so may jeopardize an appeal.

Steps to take before submitting an appeal:

1. Informal Resolution
   • During a semester, you may encounter issues that impact your academic performance. Whenever possible and prior to initiating a grade appeal, you should attempt to resolve all grade-related issues informally through communication with your instructor(s). If you are unable to resolve the situation with your instructor(s), or if you are unable to reach them, contact the Chair or Director of the department/school that offers the course (the teaching department/School). 
2. Grade Reassessment (for issues related to individual assignment grades)
   • You can request to have a graded course component reassessed if you believe that the grade does not reflect the academic merit of your work, or you can request a recalculation if you believe an error or omission has been made in the calculation of grades. Your requests for a grade reassessment must be based on sufficient academic grounds and be supported by evidence and documentation (e.g. from the course outline, course notes, textbooks, assignment grade rubric). 
   • To request a grade reassessment, you should contact your instructor within ten (10) business days of the date when the graded work in question is returned to the class, or when the grade on the work is posted. Grades not questioned within this period may not be reassessed.
   • For work graded during the final week of classes, or during the exam period, there might not be an opportunity to review the work with the instructor prior to the assignment of a final grade in the course. In that case, you should contact the instructor about the work as soon as possible, and usually within ten (10) business days from the date that grades and standing are available to students on RAMSS.
   • For detailed information on grade reassessment procedures, refer to Policy 162 on PDF filePDF fileGrade Reassessment and Grade Recalculation.
3. Appeals:

There are two types of appeals:

1. Grade Appeals: must be submitted to the School that offers the course being appealed (the teaching department/school). All grade appeals for Chang School courses must be submitted to The Chang School. 
2. Academic Standing Appeals: must be submitted to your program/School. 

Grounds of Appeal:

• Extenuating Circumstances
• Prejudice 
• Procedural Error
• Course Management (may be considered as grounds for grade appeal but not Academic Standing appeals). 

Refer to PDF filePDF filePolicy 168: Grade and Standing Appeals for detailed definitions of these grounds.

There are three levels of appeals:

1. Department Level: Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Department/School must do so to the Dean of the Faculty. 
2. Faculty Level: Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Faculty must do so to the Senate Appeals Committee.
3. Senate Level: Decisions of the Senate Appeals Committee are final and may not be appealed.

Appeals forms, instructions, Policy, and Code of Conduct are available from the Senate.

It is recommended that you seek assistance and advice when filing an appeal. For advice on your appeal, please contact the following:

• Academic Advocacy at the Ryerson Students’ Union
  , external link, external link416-979-5255, ext. 2322
• The Centre for Student Development and Counselling
  416-979-5195 
• Office of the Ombudsperson
  416-979-5000, ext. 7450

For advice concerning an appeal on the grounds of discrimination:
Human Rights Services
POD-254-A
(416) 979-5349

Effective the Winter 2020 term, undergraduate students enrolled in an undergraduate program wishing to appeal their standing in their program, and/or to appeal a grade received in courses taught in any Faculty (with the exception of Faculty of Law and Graduate Studies), are to use the online appeals system to submit their request. 

Once you submit an academic appeal through the online system, the relevant decision-maker, Student Records and the Senate Office will receive a notification through their Ryerson e-mail. The decision-maker will be able to assess the merits of your appeal and submit their decision through the administrative online system. When their decision is issued, you, Student Records, the Senate Office and other relevant stakeholders will be notified through their Ryerson email of the decision.

Detailed instructions regarding submission, resources on academic appeals and access to the submission portal can be found here.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact criadvising@ryerson.ca., opens in new window

External Links:

• PDF filePDF filePolicy 168: Grade and Standing Appeals
• Senate Office: Appeals Student Information

Taking courses through The Chang School for Continuing Education

Any course that fulfils a lower or upper level Liberal Studies requirement indicates that right in the course description on The Chang School website.

Example:"This course examines the development of societies in the Caribbean from the intrusion of European explorers and settlers c.1492 to the dismantling of the slave systems in the 19th century, and beyond to issues, such as independence, affecting the region in modern times. (Lower-level liberal studies elective)"

You can also check the various tables to see if the Chang school course you plan to take can be used to satisfy that specific area. 

 If it's listed, it fulfills that area! 

• Open Elective Table
• Liberal Studies Tables

Note: Courses take through the Chang School start with a ‘C’.  For example, PSY 999 becomes CPSY 999.  

Use the images below to help you search for courses.

How to search for Chang School, opens in new window courses

Course full?

Here's some advice on what to do if the course you want is full.

Remember that, once the enrollment period begins, you have the exact same access to courses that we do. There is no magic backdoor; if a course is full, we cannot get you in. It's not that we don't want to help you, it's that we can't help you.

So here is what we suggest you do:

Select a Backup Course

Look to see if there is an alternative course you can take. If it's a Liberal Studies, Open Elective, Table I (CRI), Table II (Module), or Table III (Business) course, look to see what alternative course options are running in that term. Be as flexible as you can.

It is always best to get into a backup course and then switch out if a space opens up in the course that you want, rather than run the risk of being left with no course at all. 

Waitlists

Not all courses offer a waitlist option, but a lot do! If there is a waitlist, get yourself on to it, and as people drop the course, you will move up the list.

Make sure you understand how waitlists work, as every year people try to put themselves onto a waitlist for a course that they are already in!

Waitlists are not for swapping sections - they are there to help students get into a course they are NOT yet in. 

Double counting courses with in the B.A Creative Industries degree is not allowed. 

What this means is you cannot try to use a course towards more than one table within the degree. 

Example 1)

If you have taken CRI 550 for your Table II > Publishing and Printing Module, you cannot also use this course to satisfy a Table I (CRI) requirement.  

Example 2) 

If you are taking CMN 315  as part of your Table II > Communication Studies Module, you cannot also use CMN 315 to satisfy an Open Elective Table requirement.

The easiest way is to think of your B.A Creative Industries it in terms of total courses.  

Of the 42 credits required for your degree, you need,

• 16 required/core courses (CRI100, BSM200, ACC340  etc)
• 3 x Lower Level Liberal Stuides courses 
• 3 x Upper Level Liberal Stuides courses 
• a minimum of 2 x Table I courses, 
• 4 x Table I or Open Elective courses,
• 12 x Table II (Creative Content Module) courses. (Six from Module A, and six from Module B)
•  2 x Table III (Business courses), by the time you apply to graduate.   

You can refer to the full 2021/22 Undergraduate Calendar, opens in new window degree requirements for details.

Don't know your "Advanced Standing" from your "Academic Standing"?

Can't quite figure out what "Departmental Permission Required" means, or the difference between a "Prerequisite" and a "Corequisite"?!

That's okay, you are not alone!

Any student that wishes to take a language class at Ryerson for the first time must take a placement test, opens in new window

You can also contact Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Faculty of Arts, opens in new window.

Lecture vs. Tutorial: Class formats explained!

LECTURE: Depending on the size of the program you are in, there could be anywhere from 15 to 500 students in a lecture. The instructor may incorporate presentations, guest speakers, group participation and many other classroom techniques that encourage student engagement.

TUTORIAL: Many lectures may have a tutorial scheduled at a different time than the lecture. This breaks down the larger class into smaller groups and encourages discussion and participation. Tutorials may be run by the instructor or by a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Assistant (GA).

LABORATORY (labs): Some programs may have labs where you work either individually or in a small group to learn and experiment with the course material in a hands-on environment. In many cases labs are mandatory. Please ensure that you check the course outline or speak to your instructor for details.

SEMINAR: These are often used in graduate courses and are small in nature to encourage a great degree of class participation and class presentations.

STUDIO: Some programs may have studio classes in which you execute a design or production related to your field.

Having trouble adding a liberal studies course you know is being offered?

Unfortunately, just because a course is listed on the Liberal Studies Table, or the Open Elective Table does not guarantee that you will be able to take it.

Some courses are "flagged" (i.e. off limits) for some programs.  For example a PSY course may be restricted to Psychology or Nursing students. The university will make sure all programs requiring the course, have first refusal.  

Only once those students are all in, will any remaining spots become available for general enrolment. This typically happens during the ‘Open Enrollment Period’.

TIP! My advice, add a "back-up" Liberal Studies/Open Elective. You can then 'swap' out if the back-up course if the one you really want becomes available.

Does this course satisfy a Liberal Studies requirement? 

If you wish to know whether a course satisfies a Liberal Studies requirement, you can simply look to see if it is listed on the Lower, opens in new window and Upper Liberal Studies Tables, opens in new window. 

All Chang School courses that fufill Liberal Studies requirements say so right in the course description, which can be found on the Chang website. 

Example:

"....by the end of this course, students will be able to read and write simple sentences and to talk about subjects related to family, studies, and social environment". (Lower-level liberal studies elective)

For more information regarding Liberal Studies courses, please visit the Faculty of Arts, Liberal Studies page, opens in new window.

Minors

You can view a full list of Minor options, as well as the policy governing them (Policy 2) in the 2021/22 Undergraduate Calendar, opens in new window.

Note: There are a number of rules regarding Minors. Make sure you read over the rules and requirements carefully as you are responsible for its successful completion.

There are also FAQ's on the Curriculum Advising Office, opens in new window website which you will hopefully find useful.

There are a ton of resources availible here at Ryerson.  This powerpoint presentation will help you begin to identify the variety of options available.  

PDF fileStudent Resources at Ryerson Powerpoint, opens in new window

Below you will find an extensive list, all with clickable links.  

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at CRIadvising@ryerson.ca and we will help guide you.

Academic Support Resources at Ryerson

Student Life & Learning Support

Student Life & Learning Support is a group of services and programs aimed at helping students engage more effectively in their academic studies. We teach essential academic skills and study techniques that help students to more effectively express their intelligence, apply their knowledge and communicate their ideas.

Support Areas:

• Academic Accommodation Support,
• English Language Support,
• Study Skills & Transition Support,
• Writing Support,
• Test Centre

Tri-mentoring program

The Tri-Mentoring Program, opens in new window is a centralized model that offers mentorship opportunities to students of all identities across all faculties.  The program matches 1st year students with upper year students in the same program or with similar interests in order to help incoming students successfully transition into their 1st year at Ryerson.  Mentors then have the opportunity to be matched with an industry professional & will gain guidance and encourage students to progress towards their goals. We facilitate student's learning, leadership and employment through mentoring, getting students involved and having them meet other people. 

Academic Accommodation Support

Academic Accommodation Support helps students with single or multiple disabilities (such as learning disabilities, sensory impairments, acquired brain injuries, ADHD, and mental health, medical, and mobility issues). The Centre helps students secure academic accommodations so that they can fully participate in their academic experience at Ryerson.

Mental and Physical Wellness Resources

Ryerson Mental Wellbeing

Centre for Student Development and Counselling

The CSDC offers free, confidential counselling services for students in a professional and friendly environment. Services are provided by our team of psychologists, counsellors, and masters and doctoral interns.

Ryerson Medical Centre

Ryerson’s family doctors can help you take care of your physical and mental health.

Ryerson Health Promotion

Ryerson Health Promotion is a group of peer health promoters dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing on our university campus. They can provide you with information, resources and referrals to community agencies.

Student Support Resources

International Student Services

International Student Services, supports international students by offering individual assistance, orientation programs, information sessions, and networking events.

Aboriginal Student Services

Aboriginal Student Services,, opens in new window provides support for all First Nations, Aboriginal, Inuit, Metis, status and non-status students can balance academic learning with traditional teachings.

Centre for Women and Trans People

The Centre for Women and Trans People, external link, opens in new window is a safe and inclusive place for all self-identified women on campus. It provides educational pamphlets, referrals and resources on issues that include racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, eating disorders, housing, sexual assault, pro-choice resources, violent relationships, support programs, and women’s health. Men are welcome to use the Centre’s resources, but need permission to enter.

Ryerson Safe House

ThePDF file Ryerson Safe House provides free and confidential emotional support and assistance to Ryerson students who:

Are at immediate risk of physical, sexual or emotional abuse
Are fleeing unsafe or intolerable living conditions
Have been made suddenly homeless as a result of compelling or extreme circumstances.

Security and Emergency Services

Ryerson Security and Emergency Services, opens in new window aids in crime prevention, personal safety and physical security awareness/education provided. Twenty-four hour emergency response, including crisis intervention/emergency management and referral.

Human Rights Services

Human Rights Services, opens in new window offers support for the Ryerson community, promoting a study, work, and living environment free of discrimination and harassment based on prohibited grounds (e.g. race, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion etc.).

Ombudsperson Office

The Ombudsperson Office is a confidential information, advice and assistance resource for those who wish to address what they believe to be unfair treatment at the University.

Ryerson Students’ Union Legal Advice and Referral Services

Ryerson Students’ Union Legal Advice and Referral Services, external link, opens in new window offers legal advice related to family and criminal law, debt, landlord and tenant conflicts, corporate law, real estate, intellectual property, legal procedures and documents, dealings with lawyers, immigration, and difficulties with government agencies.

Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education

The Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education, opens in new window works from the premise that consent comes first. We believe that survivors should guide the process and we are here to provide options. We provide referrals to counselling and medical services, academic and workplace accommodations, self-care resources, advocacy and navigating resources. We can also help you in making an informed decision about next steps should you decide to report to university authorities or the police.

Ryerson Students’ Union (Equity Service Centres)

Good Food Centre

The Good Food Centre, external link, opens in new window provides free, non-perishable food items so you don’t have to study on an empty stomach. We also advocate for healthier, more affordable food on campus, and host events and campaigns on food (in)security and anti-poverty initiatives.

BIPOC Students' Collective

The BIPIC Students’ Collective, external link opposes all forms of racism and works towards community wellness for students. Through education, campus and community organizing, and our commitment to struggle across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve self-identified racialized and indigenous students.

RyeACCESS

RyeACCESS, external link recognizes that students with disabilities have a diverse range of experiences both on and off campus. However, one experience that is consistent is disempowerment. As students with disabilities, it is our time to reclaim our bodies and minds, take control of the services we use, and work with our allies to achieve the freedom and autonomy we deserve.

RyePRIDE

RyePRIDE, external link, opens in new window seeks to create a positive and inclusive campus that is safe and welcoming for people from across the spectrum of sexuality and gender, including but not limited to: gay, lesbian, bisexual, two spirited, trans, intersex, queer and questioning students.

Trans Collective

The Trans Collective, external link, opens in new window main goal is to advocate for trans and gender non-conforming people by challenging oppression, creating space for community care, and educating those outside and within our community.

Peer Groups

SMASH (Students for Mental Awareness, Support, & Health)

SMASH, opens in new window increases mental health awareness and support for students through peer-to-peer support and advocacy for policy change within Ryerson University.

Other Resources

Ryerson Athletics and Recreation

Ryerson Athletics and Recreation, opens in new window offers group fitness and mind/body/spirit classes, including yoga and meditation

SHARP: Student Health Assistance and Resilience Program (Health Promotion)

The Student Health Assistance and Resilience Program (SHARP) is designed to help students develop lifelong skills for managing their health and well-being.

PDF filePDF file

Short-term vs. Permanent Withdrawal

A student may wish to (voluntarily) temporarily withdraw from their program of studies for either the current academic term or for future academic term(s) due to financial, health, personal, academic or other reasons. This is callled a 'Short-term Withdrawal'.

Students can withdraw for up to 12 months at any one time.

The final deadline to submit a Short Term Withdrawal Request can be found in the Significant Dates, opens in new window section of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

If you no longer would like to remain in the Creative Industries program, please submit a Permanent Withdrawal request. Note: Once a permanent withdrawal has been submitted it cannot be reversed.

PDF fileStudent Handbook

Instructions can also be found here:

How to Enrol on RAMMS, opens in new window

How to Enrol from My Classes Offered, opens in new window

RAMSS SUPPORT, opens in new window

RAMSS support offers step-by-step guides on topics such as how to,

• Search for courses, opens in new window
• Drop a course, opens in new window
• Search CHANG courses, opens in new window
• Request a letter , opens in new window
• Apply for Transfer Credits, opens in new window

 and much more!

The guides are comprehensive, and include screen caps.

Check them out if you have any concerns when it comes to navigating RAMMS.