Location and Parking
The majority of Continuing Studies classes are held in MECA&D's main Porteous Building (522 Congress Street, Portland, ME), but some are held at our second building (located at 380 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME) and a few others are offered online only. MECA&D is a locked campus, so please know that your instructor will let you into the building on the first day of your class and issue you a keycard (for qualifying classes only). If you're registered for a class offsite, arrival information will be indicated in the course confirmation.
Parking is the responsibility of the student. Hourly, paid parking is available at the City of Portland’s Spring Street Parking Garage at 45 Spring Street. This garage is located directly behind the Porteous building with exits/entrances on Spring Street and Free Street. More info on parking here.
Refund Policy for Continuing Studies Classes
If you need to withdraw from a Continuing Studies class, please call the CS Office at 207.699.5061 or email us at cstudy@meca.edu.
- Cancel more than 14 business days before the start of the class: 100% refund.
- Cancel less than 14 business days: No refund given.
- Please note this Cancellation Policy does not apply to Pre-College or Travel programs.
- If Maine College of Art & Design 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 in accordance with the 14 business day policy.
- Special restrictions may apply to January Intensives, off-campus, or travel programs. Please see the course description for details.
- A $30 fee will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.
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.
Refund Policy for Salt Intensives
Due to the considerable amount of advanced planning, no refunds will be issued for Salt Intensives. If Maine College of Art & Design 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, your instructor will reach out to you via the email you provide. 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 inquire about course availability via cstudy@meca.edu or 207.699.5061. 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.
Some exclusions apply. Students must pay the Studio 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.
For MECA&D Alumni: Maine College of Art & Design degree program alumni (BFA, MFA, & MAT) receive a 30% tuition discount on one Continuing Studies course per session.
For K-12 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. Verification of current employment (on school letterhead signed by a school official) must accompany your registration each session.
For Current MECA&D Students (BFA, MFA, MAT, & Salt), Staff, & Faculty (includes PMA employees): Receive a 100% tuition discount on one Continuing Studies course per session.
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 Maine College of Art & Design’s non-degree program.
Access to Maine College of Art & Design Studios
Maine College of Art & Design studios and classrooms are available to you only during your scheduled class. Please note MECA&D is a locked campus and only accessible to key-holding students. 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.
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 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 2008, to provide reasonable accommodations for people with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please contact our Disability Services Coordinator, at disabilityservices@meca.edu at least three weeks before your scheduled course.
Conditions
Adults 18 or older may register for Continuing Studies Adult Courses. Students under 18 require special permission from the Director of Continuing Studies to enroll in Adult Courses. Maine College of Art & Design 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. Maine College of Art & Design 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 Maine College of Art & Design in future promotional efforts without specific written permission from the student.