Regis College. Graduate Student Handbook. Your potential is infinite. Free it.

Transcription

1 Regis College Graduate Student Handbook Your potential is infinite. Free it.

2 Your potential is infinite. Free it. i

3 Table of Contents Welcome Overview iii iv Graduate Facilities & Services 1 Student Community & Life 8 Graduate Policies & Procedures 10 Graduation Procedure 11 Important Contact Info & Numbers 13 ii

4 Welcome! On behalf of the Regis College community, I congratulate you on your acceptance into one of our graduate programs. Your decision to continue your education is the first step toward advancing professionally and personally. We know that you will be challenged as a student at Regis and that you will grow. Regis College itself has been growing by meeting contemporary challenges. In the last year alone, we welcomed our first co-education undergraduate class (after eighty years as a women s college) and launched the Boston area s first Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The DNP is also Regis College s first doctoral program, and it got off to a running start with overwhelming positive response from the regional nursing community. Also in the academic realm, Regis recently developed five new graduate certificate programs. Certificates in Non-Profit Administration, Public Policymaking, Clinical Research, Product Regulation, and Health Care Administration are now available to our current and non-matriculated students. They can be completed in as few as three courses and can be counted toward completion of a Regis College graduate degree. Please remember that as a Regis graduate student you are welcome to participate in many social and athletic offerings on campus. Our beautiful athletic complex and swimming pool are free to graduate students and their families, and the Office of Student Activities serves as a great resource for discounted movie, play, or T passes. The Office of Graduate Admission and Office of Student Activities are ready to receive any of your questions or concerns this year. We look forward to working with you as you complete your graduate studies at Regis and realize your infinite potential. Welcome to Regis College! You are a big part of our future, and we hope to be a significant part of yours. Mary Jane England 59, MD President iii

5 History Regis College is a Catholic liberal arts and sciences institution founded in 1927 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. After eight decades as a women-only residential college, Regis admitted undergraduate men to the incoming class in fall About 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students attend classes on our beautiful 132-acre campus. Located on a former estate in the leafy suburb of Weston, Mass., Regis is only twelve miles away from the vibrant professional, educational, and cultural life of downtown Boston. Graduate students can pursue one of nine master's programs, ten graduate certificates, or a doctoral degree in nursing practice. Regis is a global community of learners that seeks to make the world a better place through our commitment to the development of the whole person. By linking classroom learning with real-world experience through internships, research, community service, and independent studies, students achieve success here and beyond. Mission Statement Regis College, through education in the arts, sciences, and professions, empowers women and men to challenge themselves academically, to serve and to lead. A Catholic college, Regis is a diverse and welcoming community guided by the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. iv

6 Graduate Facilities & Services Housing On-campus housing is available for full-time graduate students. Students have the option of living on campus throughout the entire year or the academic year (fall and spring semesters only). For more information regarding on-campus graduate housing, please contact the Office of Residential Life, or Dining Whether you want to grab a quick meal between classes or have a sit-down dinner with friends, Regis College offers a wide variety of dining options to all graduate students. Graduate students have the option of registering for a commuter or on-campus meal plan. On-campus dining facilities include a full cafeteria and two cafes that are open throughout the week. To obtain more information about dining services and campus meal plans, please visit Career Development and Placement The Experiential Learning and Career Center can provide assistance in the form of a guidelines sheet, action verb list, and samples for you to review. The office also provides career counseling, including individual counseling sessions, to help graduate students define and explore possible career paths. Career assessment complements the career counseling process and may include some or all of these elements: Identifying your interests, abilities, preferences, and work values Meeting with a career counselor to facilitate the self-assessment process Recommending and helping you to intepret assessments such as the SIGI 3 Career Planning Software, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and Self-Directed Search (SDS). The Experiential Learning & Career Center is located on the third floor of College Hall, Room 346. For additional information, please contact John Conway, at: john.conway@regiscollege.edu,

7 Student ID Card Campus Police will provide you with a Regis College Student ID Card. This card will grant you access to the library, athletic facility, and qualify you for student discounts. Once you have enrolled in a course, please stop in to Campus Police to pose for your ID picture and pick up your ID card! Regis College Bookstore The Regis College bookstore offers all textbooks and school supplies needed to succeed as a graduate student. Stop in the bookstore, located on the first floor of the Student Union, to pick up a textbook or a last-minute snack before class. If students are unable to get to campus during bookstore hours, call the staff anytime, , and they can put aside a book at Campus Police for pick up. You may also order textbooks online at Library Facilities The Regis College Library provides ample research resources to the Regis community. The library resources are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week online at library/. Reference librarians are always available for assistance with obtaining access to all resources, both print and electronic. The library also hosts a Book Discussion Group on the second Thursday of every month, in the Carr Room, which is located on the second floor of the Library. The group welcomes all members of the Regis College community and Weston residents. All of the books are available in paperback and will be available in the Regis College Bookstore. Athletic Facility Regis College athletic facilities are open free of charge to all Regis graduate students. The gymnasium, renovated in 2002, is a multipurpose space that features basketball, volleyball, and an indoor batting cage for softball. The Mary Carr Simeone Fitness Center provides an excellent opportunity to 2

8 unwind from the demands of graduate coursework. The center includes a weight room with Nautilus equipment and free weights. The cardiovascular room has treadmills, bikes, Nordic Tracks, steppers, ellipticals, and rowing ergometers. All students also have access to the Dance Studio which hosts instructional studio dance classes as well as access to aerobics, dance, yoga, and self-defense classes, and intramural sports activities. The Regis competition-sized swimming pool features an outdoor patio and sun deck, Jacuzzi, and sauna (women's locker room only). Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that the pool and gymnasium are usually closed from 3 to 8 p.m. for varsity team practice. This schedule is subject to change. Regis College reserves the right to close any or all athletic facilities without notice when necessary. For more information about hours of operation, please call or athletics@regiscollege.edu. Directions & Parking Regis is accessible and convenient from almost anywhere and everywhere in New England, located near the Mass Pike, Route 95, and Route 9: If traveling north on Route 95/128, take Exit 24 to Route 30 west. Continue approximately two miles and make a right turn onto Wellesley Street. Regis College is on the left. If traveling south on Route 95/128, take Exit 26 to Route 20 west. Continue approximately two miles and make a left turn onto Wellesley Street; bear right at the fork in the road. Regis College is on the right. 3

9 If traveling east on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), take Exit 13 to Route 30 east. Continue approximately five miles and make a left turn onto Wellesley Street. Regis College is on the left. From Route 9 in Wellesley, Continue north on Weston Road which becomes Wellesley Street at the Weston/Wellesley town line. Stay straight on Wellesley Street and go across Route 30. Regis College is on the left. If traveling west on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), take Exit 15 to Route 30 west. Continue approximately two miles and make a right turn onto Wellesley Street. Regis College is on the left. Parking on campus is free and convenient for all students and visitors. Once you have begun taking classes in a Regis graduate program, you are granted a parking pass. Please visit campus police, first floor of College Hall, , to pick up a parking pass. 4

10 Registra- tion Registration Students may register for courses online or in person, by telephone, by mail, or by fax using our registration form. Online: Students may register for courses online once they have a Regis account and their original account letter available. If you need a Regis account or a copy of your account letter, please contact the ITS Help Desk at helpdesk@regiscollege.edu or Once you have a Regis account set up, you can register through Regis Access at Phone: Registration may be completed by calling: , Monday through Friday, 9AM to 6PM. FAX: A completed registration form may be faxed twenty-four hours a day to Do not forget to include credit card payment information. 5

11 In Person: Applicants may register in person at College Hall, Room 207, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 6PM. Course information will be available. Auditing a course: Individuals who do not wish to earn academic credits may enroll in Summer Session courses as auditors. Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Schedule for auditing fees. Financial Aid The process of financing a college education can be challenging, and the Office of Financial Aid is committed to making this process as manageable as possible. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must be accepted into a degree program at Regis and should file a FAFSA at (school code ). Students must also complete the Financial Aid Application for Graduate Students, which is available online at: GraduateStudents. Upon receipt of the FAFSA, the financial aid office may require additional information. Please submit the information as soon as possible to expedite your award. Read the Student Aid Report (SAR) comments and immediately correct any errors on the FAFSA. The awarding process is rolling, there is no deadline. Students must be enrolled in at least 2 classes, minimum of 6 credits, to be eligible for graduate student loans. The current loan maximum for graduates is $8500 subsidized, $12000 unsubsidized. Furthermore, the Graduate Plus is also available for students to apply for as a supplement to the financial aid award package. The first award letter notification is mailed; all revised award notices are sent via Regis and are available to view on Regis Access. Early evening appointments may be arranged upon request. Questions should be directed to finaid@regiscollege.edu. Health Plan Graduate students health plan is provided through United Healthcare Insurance Company. Eligible students who do enroll may also ensure their dependents. Eligible dependents are the spouse and unmarried children 6

12 under nineteen years of age who are not self-supporting. Dependent eligibility expires concurrently with that of the insured student. Dependent coverage must be applied for by filling out the Dependent Insurance Enrollment Card, and by paying the required premium. Please contact for additional information. Technology As part of an ongoing effort to provide efficient and accessible classroom technology to our students, Regis has been continually improving its online programs and resources. The current three major online programs that the Regis community utilizes are Blackboard, RegisAccess, and Smarthinking. When first signing up for Blackboard, students use their network user ID and password to access the program. Once registering for Blackboard, students may change their user ID and password specifically for Blackboard. It is important to note that the network user ID/password remains the same, only your Blackboard User ID/Password changes. This also applies to all other programs including RegisAcess. As for RegisAccess, students are able to view their grades, transcripts, account summaries, and course schedules. Users may also register for classes online and make tuition payments. Furthermore, faculty members may review current and past class rosters, enter grades and contact student advisees. Finally, Smarthinking offers 24/7 online tutors for both undergraduate and graduate students. The online tutors are typically professors who work all 7

13 over the country. Students may access online tutoring services every semester for a certain amount of hours. Once exceeding the time limit, students are recommended to seek additional support from our Student Success Center. If students find that they are having difficulties with the online programs, they should contact ITS Help Desk for technical support at Student Community & Life Graduate Student Organizations All graduate students are encouraged to become part of the Graduate Student Organization, a larger group on campus made up of both the GSNO (Graduate Student Nursing Organization) and students, class officers, and faculty liaisons from all graduate programs. Students in these organizations serve as tour guides for prospective graduate students, promote leadership and organize events on campus for current graduate students. Additionally, the GSNO organizes service projects, networking opportunities, and provides informational programs for graduate nursing students. Monthly meetings for graduate organizations are usually held in the Graduate Student Lounge, on the first floor of College Hall. For additional information, nursing@regiscollege.edu Things to Do, Places to Go Regis College is located twelve miles outside of Boston, just a short train or car ride away to many fabulous attractions. Traveling to the downtown area is a breeze. Regis College offers free shuttle service from the Regis campus to the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association) Green Line, Riverside D train location in Newton. 8

14 Local Attractions (Boston and the Metro West Area) Parks and Sights Boston Common Public Gardens Freedom Trail Duck Boat Tours Franklin Park Zoo Longfellow s Wayside Inn (Sudbury) Garden in the Woods (Framingham) Restaurants Natick and Framingham (Route 9) Legal Seafood Olive Garden T.G.I. Friday s Cheesecake Factory Owen O Leary s Wellesley The Berkeley Grille (steaks, fish, pasta, seafood) Vela Restaurant (Italian) Davis Museum and Cultural Center Waltham Watch City Brewing Company (American) Erawan of Siam (Asian) Chateau Restaurant (Italian) Margaritas (Mexican) Solea Restaurant and Tapas Bar Museums, Music and Theater Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Science Omni Theater New England Aquarium John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Boston Institute of Contemporary Arts Concerts at the TD Banknorth Garden Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston Ballet Huntington Theater Company Shopping Newbury Street Faneuil Hall Marketplace Copley Place Natick Collection Atrium Mall (Chestnut Hill) Hotels Hampton Inn, Route 9 & Speen Street, Natick Marriott Hotel Courtyard, Newton Courtyard Marriott, Waltham Check out the following links to learn more about Boston: 9

15 Graduate Policies & Procedures Enrollment in graduate programs is on a part-time or full-time basis contingent upon the academic background and career goals of the student. Nonmatriculated students will be accepted for individual courses on a space available basis. All requirements for the master s degree must be completed within five years (for programs requiring less than thirty-seven credits.) Programs requiring thirty-seven or more credits must be completed within seven years. Graduate students who have been provisionally accepted must maintain a B or better in their first two registered courses and satisfactorily fulfill their selected program s application requirements in order matriculate into their program of choice and/or waive the GREs.* If a student does not meet their admission application requirements, their acceptance is rescinded from their desired program of choice. * This is dependent on individual graduate program application requirements. Once fully accepted, each student is assigned an advisor upon acceptance as a matriculating student. The advisor will help the student to plan a study program and choose courses for each semester. Transfer Credits: Transfer of credit from another approved institution of higher learning will be allowed if it is for graduate work done within five years prior to enrolling in Regis College and the grade received for the work is not less than B-. No more than two courses (six credits) may be transferred with exception to our RN to MSN graduate nursing program. Since graduate programs are standard-based, only those courses will be accepted that correlate with standards for the particular component of the program in which the student is enrolled. Students applying for transfer credit are required to submit to the appropriate graduate program director a requesting transfer credit. 10

16 Course Competency Equivalence Procedure: In some graduate programs and in a case when a graduate student believes that standards for a given course have been met, application may be made to demonstrate those standards or competencies through documentation and testing. Based on the requirements of the particular graduate program, a student may be required to select an elective in place of the course for which proof of the standards is demonstrated. The student should contact the graduate program director for additional information and assistance. Grades: Grades are issued at the close of each semester and after the summer session. The passing grade range is as follows: A, A-, B+, B, B-. The high passing grade of A is awarded for distinguished course work. The ordinary passing grade of B is awarded for course work that is clearly satisfactory. When a student has not met the minimum requirement of a B or better, they are eliminated from their program. Other College Policies: All general college policies are applicable to graduate students. Graduation Procedures Commencement Events Commencement Rehearsal Graduate Hooding Ceremony (nursing master s pins will be presented at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony) Baccalaureate Ceremony (nursing pins will be presented at this ceremony) Commencement Checklist for Graduating Students: All degree candidates must return the Information Questionnaire form to the Academic Affairs Office, even if you are unable to attend. Name Pronunciation Form also must be returned to the same office. 11

17 Frequently Asked Questions Q. How do I know if I am able to graduate? A: You must meet all academic requirements. You must be financially cleared. Contact the Bursar s Office and your advisor if you have any questions. Q. Do I need tickets for commencement? A: No, there are no tickets. You may invite as many guests as you would like, but seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Q. Where do I get my cap and gown? A: Cap, gowns, tassels, and hoods will be available in the campus bookstore. Q. What is the Graduate Hooding Ceremony? A: The master s hoods are conferred at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. The hood identifies both the College and the degree being conferred. This ceremony is to honor our master s degree recipients and is an opportunity for celebration with graduates, faculty, family, and friends. Hoods are then worn during the Commencement exercises. Q. I am unable to attend commencement. How will I get my diploma? A: Your diploma will be mailed to you at the address you provided on the Information Questionnaire form. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar s Office directly at

18 Important Contact Information Academic Support for Students with Disabilities Academic Services St. Joseph s Hall Admission Office of Admissions College Hall Athletic Facilities Athletic Department Athletic Facilities Billing/Tuition Bursar s Office College Hall Bookstore/Textbooks Campus Bookstore Lower Student Union Campus Safety/Student IDs/Parking Permits Campus Police College Hall Computer/IT Help ITS Help Desk College Hall Computer Lab Access Open 24/7 College Hall 133,135, 235 Financial Aid Financial Aid Office College Hall Food/Beverages College Cafeteria & Café Student Union, C3 Vending Machines 1 st fl. of College Hall & Science Building Grades/Transcripts Registrar s Office College Hall Graduate Programs Graduate Admissions College Hall

19 Library Servicesmic Regis Library Library Lockers for Commuter Students Office of Student Affairs College Hall Multicultural Programs/Services Multicultural Advisor College Hall Nursing Programs Nursing Department College Hall Registration for Continuing Ed & Graduate Courses and General Questions Office of Extended Learning College Hall Shuttle Services Campus Police College Hall Spirituality/Services Campus Ministry College Hall Information and Services College Switchboard

20 Regis College Office of Graduate Admission, RM Wellesley Street Weston, MA T: F: