Graduate Council: Graduate Orientation

1. Graduate Council: Graduate Orientation Spring 2013-14

2. Graduate Council • Purpose, Role, and Position • Current Undertakings • Important Reminders • Latest Undertakings • Conclusion

3. Institutional Purpose • Facts • AUB offers more than 50 Master’s and 9 PhD programs • 1261graduate students in academic year 2012-13 • 37%graduate assistants • 16%of the student body • The expansion of graduate education at AUB and the growing number of new graduate programs require enhanced graduate governance. • The Graduate Council has been established to elaborate, build, and carefully operate graduate governance structures in order to enhance academic and research processes.

4. Institutional Role Facilitate and coordinategraduate education in the following ways/areas: • Follow up to ensure the uniform implementation of policies governing graduate work • Support graduate recruitmentprograms • Provide information about graduate admissions • Encourage the development and successof students • Provide mechanisms for quality controlfor all aspects of graduate education

5. Institutional Position • Report to the Provost • Implement policies approved by Board of Graduate Studies (BGS) and the Senate • Operate in consultation with Faculty Graduate Studies Committees (GSC) • Work alongside other units at AUB • Office of Admissions • Office of the Registrar • Faculties • Office of Student Affairs (SAO) • Office of International Programs (OIP) • Others

6. Current Undertakings • Monitoring and Coordinating Graduate Admissions • Improving GA Allocations, Financial Aid and Fellowships • Addressing Graduate Student Issues

7. Graduate Student Issues • Actively participate in recruitment and orientation programs • Provide helpful information through web site • Help oversee annual publishing of Graduate Catalogue

8. Graduate Student Issues • Advise students on general university graduate policy • Otherwise, serve as a general reference point • Academic Advisor and Department Chair are the primary reference in matters related to your program of study • In matters not within our scope of operation, refer students to the appropriate individuals and entities

9. Graduate Student Issues • Through reminders, help students to • Comply with regulations • Meet deadlines • Propose enhancements to graduate student life • Based on own analysis • Based on feedback of students, faculty, and staff Never trash our emails We never trash yours

10. Important Reminders • Degree Progress • Maximum Residency/Leave of Absence • Change of Major • Transfer of Credits • Thesis Deadlines

11. Degree Progress We encourage students to complete their degree as early as possible and to be registered every semester. Master’s students are encouraged to be enrolled full-time and to finish within 2 years. Maximum Residency: • Master’s: 4 years • PhD Regular Track: 5 years • PhD Accelerated Track: 6 years Going beyond maximum residency requires an extension.

12. Leave of Absence (LoA) • For special/extenuating circumstances that require students to put their studies on hold. • Absence is excused (i.e. not part of maximum residency) • Legitimate reasons and documentation required. • Can apply for a maximum of 2 regular semesters at a time • Allowed a total of 4 regular semesters of LoA • Absence of four consecutive semesters (including Summer term) requires student to re-apply for admission. Acceptable Joining the traveling circus for a year? Unacceptable DOCUMENTED MEDICAL CONDITION?

13. Change of Major Within the Same Faculty • Petition the Department to which you want to transfer • Abide by the admissions deadlines To Other Faculties/Schools Within AUB • Undergo the Admissions process

14. Transfer of Credits (Master’s) Into a Master’s Degree Program From One Master’s Degree to Another Approval of department/academic unit concerned • Beyond requirement of Bachelor’s degree • GPA of 80 in undergraduate courses of major/related field In Both Cases… • No more than 9 credits are transferable* • Grade of 80 or above • GSC Approval • Internship, thesis, and practicum courses excluded • *Kindly check with faculty for exceptions.

15. Transfer of Credits Into a PhD • Beyond requirement of Master’s degree • GPA of 85 in graduate courses of major/related field • Grade of 85 or above • No more than 6 credits are transferable • GSC Approval • Graduate Council Approval • Internship, thesis, and practicum courses excluded

16. Master’s Thesis Deadlines • Summer 2013-14 datespublished in 2014-15 Graduate Catalogue. • Latest deadlines always available at: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf EMAIL REMINDER WILL BE SENT

17. PhD Thesis Deadlines • Summer 2013-14 datespublished in 2014-15 Graduate Catalogue. • Latest deadlines always available at: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf EMAIL REMINDER WILL BE SENT

18. Latest Undertakings 2nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB • Opportunity to familiarize potential candidates with • Master’s and PhD degrees currently offered at AUB • Available student scholarships • Application process • Consisted of presentations, reception, Q&A, and faculty tours • Around 200 attendees from local, regional, and international universities and companies • Held in the 2nd or 3rd month of each Fall semester

19. 2ndAnnual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

20. 2ndAnnual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

21. 2ndAnnual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

22. 2ndAnnual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

23. 2ndAnnual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

24. Latest Undertakings Enhancing Graduate Life • Assisted in the establishment of a student-led, student-run Graduate Student Society • GSS is now functional • If you are interested in joining, please pass by the GSS “Ask Me” Booth in Common Room, West Hall • Proposed enhancements to graduate academic life: • Research forums and events • Workshop series • Graduate space • Graduate Student Life Working group has been established to get a pilot underway in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

25. Latest Undertakings Partnering with University Libraries • Research is especially relevant to your graduate experience. • Graduate Council informs graduates regarding useful workshops and related activities. • Latest offering from University Libraries: Search & Cite Workshop • Location: Jafet Library/E-Classroom

26. Conclusion The Graduate Council exists to enhance AUB graduate studies and graduate life. • Coordinate, facilitate, and advise • Introduce uniformity to graduate studies governance • Serve as a point of reference to graduate students • Propose enhancements to the graduate experience • Open to input from the AUB community

27. Welcome to AUB! Please feel free to visit us at College Hall 432/434 and on the Web at http://www.aub.edu.lb/graduate_council This presentation will be in the “Student Resources” section of our site: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Pages/resources.aspx

28. Team Members Contact Info/Biographies: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Pages/team.aspx