Mission + Policies

MISSION

The Continuing Studies Department at Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) offers open enrollment programs to adults and youth. Our mission is to provide diverse members of the general public, access to professional quality study in the arts and professional development opportunities.

TO REGISTER

Students may register online at cs.meca.edu, on the phone at 207.699.5061, or in person in the Continuing Studies Office, Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress St., Portland.  Once registered, students will receive a course confirmation at the email address provided at registration. Supply Lists are available online at cs.meca.edu under specific course listings. As part of enrollment, please keep a printed course confirmation with you for the duration of the class.  

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:00pm.

THIRD PARTY PAYMENTS

If an agency, company, or school is paying for your course, an official purchase order, authorization or full payment must accompany your registration.

REFUNDS / WITHDRAWING FROM A CLASS (Updated April 12, 2023)

• 100% Refund: Issued when a student withdraws at least 6 business days prior to the start of class by emailing the CS Office at cstudy@meca.edu or calling 207.699.5061. 

  There are no refunds given after that time. Please note this does not apply to SALT workshops, Pre-College or Travel programs.

• If MECA&D cancels a course, all fees will be refunded to the student.

• Students will not be issued a refund unless a student has officially notified the office of the withdrawal.

• Special restrictions may apply to off-campus or travel programs. Please see the course description for details.

• A $30 fee will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.

REFUND POLICY FOR PRE-COLLEGE

No refunds after June 1.

WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS for SALT Intensives

Due to the considerable amount of advanced planning, no refunds will be issued for SALT Intensives. If MECA&D cancels an intensive all tuition and fees will be refunded to the student. 

CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY

Classes that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements will be canceled, typically one week before the class begins. Registered students will be notified and refunded in full. It is therefore imperative that students register with an email address and phone number that are up-to-date and checked regularly.  Please feel free to call the CS Office to inquire about class status before buying supplies, booking hotel rooms, etc.

In the case of inclement weather, please check for school closing notifications on local television or radio stations or at meca.edu. You may also call 207-775-3052 and press #5.

TUITION DISCOUNTS

Discount-eligible students should contact the CS office for verification and to register; we cannot apply discounts via online registration.  Full payment must accompany your registration. There are a limited number of discounted slots available per class and are applied on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, we are not able to issue discounts for classes that travel off campus or SALT intensives. 

For MECA&D graduates: Maine College of Art & Design degree-program alumni receive a 30% tuition discount on one Continuing Studies course per session. Some exclusions apply and all students must pay the Studio/Lab Fee. Please note that there are a limited number of discounted slots available per class and are applied on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, we are not able to issue discounts for classes that travel off campus or SALT intensives. 

For Visual Arts Teachers: Grades K-12 Visual arts teachers employed at least 20 hours/week on a regular basis during the school year receive a 50% discount on tuition for up to two Continuing Studies courses per session. Some exclusions apply and all students must pay the Lab Fee. Verification of current employment (on school letterhead signed by a school official) must accompany your registration each session. Please note that there are a limited number of discounted slots available per class and are applied on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, we are not able to issue discounts for classes that travel off campus or SALT intensives. 

ACCESS TO MECA&D STUDIOS 

MECA&D studios and classrooms are available to you only during your scheduled class. Please note that the back doors on Free Street are locked 24 hours a day and are only accessible to key holding students. All doors to 380 Cumberland Ave are locked 24 hours a day. Your instructor will let you into the building and issue keys for qualifying classes. Please maintain your registration confirmation to provide to security personnel if asked. As a rule, only the first and second floors of the Porteous building are open to the public.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS TO CS PROGRAM

Maine College of Art & Design respects and values people with disabilities. In addition, Maine College of Art & Design is required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 2008, to provide reasonable accommodations for people with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please contact Joanne Benica, Disability Services Coordinator, at jbenica@meca.edu at least three weeks prior to your scheduled course.

CONDITIONS

Adults 18 or older may register for Continuing Studies adult courses. Students under 18 require special permission by the Director of Continuing Studies. MECA&D reserves the right to cancel courses, substitute instructors, change course times, and limit enrollment. Students agree to abide by any and all rules of the College. MECA&D will assume no responsibility for any loss, personal or physical.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSENT

With enrollment, a student consents to being photographed in classes or at student activities on or off campus. These photographs may be used by MECA&D in future promotional efforts without specific written permission from the student.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUS) + TRANSCRIPTS

In our Adult programs, credit for completion of a Continuing Studies course is offered in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs). One CEU is issued for ten hours of class participation. Students may request a statement of CEUs earned after completion of a course by emailing cstudy@meca.edu. CS students do not earn CEUs or credit in youth program classes, with the exception of students who complete the Pre-College program for 3 academic credits. Credit-bearing BFA courses are available to the public through MECA&D's non-degree program.

LOCATION AND PARKING

The majority of classes are held in the Porteous building at 522 Congress Street or at 380 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME. Addresses for courses taking place at an offsite location will be indicated in the course description and on the course confirmation. Parking is the responsibility of the student. Hourly parking is available at the City of Portland’s Spring Street Parking Garage at 45 Spring Street, or at the Holiday Inn Garage. We recommend that you do a Google search on parking available in Portland to find a spot that works best for you. More info on parking is available in our FAQs.