1. Graduate Council: Graduate Orientation
Spring

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
1261 graduate students in academic year
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 coordinate graduate education in the following ways/areas:
Follow up to ensure the uniform implementation of policies governing graduate work
Support graduate recruitment programs
Provide information about graduate admissions
Encourage the development and success of students
Provide mechanisms for quality control for 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 s
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) Acceptable Unacceptable
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.
Joining the traveling circus for a year?
Unacceptable
Acceptable
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
Beyond requirement of Bachelor’s degree
GPA of 80 in undergraduate courses of major/related field
Approval of department/academic unit concerned
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
REMINDER
WILL BE SENT
For Master’s candidates Graduating in
Summer *
Fall
Spring
Deadline for approval of thesis topic and committee
June 3, 2013
September 9, 2013
January 3, 2014
Deadline for thesis defense
September 30, 2013
May 9, 2014
Deadline for thesis deposit at library
October 11, 2013
January 15, 2014
May 21, 2014
Summer dates published in Graduate Catalogue.
Latest deadlines always available at:

17. EMAIL REMINDER WILL BE SENT PhD Thesis Deadlines
For Master’s candidates Graduating in
Summer *
Fall
Spring
Deadline for approval of thesis topic and committee
February 4, 2013
May 10, 2013
September 9, 2013
Deadline for thesis defense
September 30, 2013
January 3, 2014
May 9, 2014
Deadline for thesis deposit at library
October 11, 2013
January 15, 2014
May 21, 2014
Summer dates published in Graduate Catalogue.
Latest deadlines always available at:

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. 2nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

20. 2nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

21. 2nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

22. 2nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

23. 2nd Annual 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
Date
Time
Option 1
Wednesday, February 5th
10:00 AM
Option 2
4:00 PM
Option 3
Thursday, February 6th
Option 4
Option 5
One-on-one session
(call ext. 2621/2629 or

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. Please feel free to visit us at
Welcome to AUB!
Please feel free to visit us at
College Hall 432/434
and on the Web at
This presentation will be in the “Student Resources” section of our site:

28. Team Members
Contact Info/Biographies: