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Student Newsletter

Welcome to the CCAS Graduate Student Newsletter! Designed to keep you up to date with news and events, policies and processes, and all things for CCAS graduate students!

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Latest Issue: April 2024

The Student Services Team is here to advise, guide, and provide you with resources to aid in your success, as well as help you navigate university policies and procedures. Our office is located in Smith 118, and we are open during normal business hours on Monday – Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. You can schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person appointment with your Student Services Coordinator and our Career Counselors.

For our April Newsletter, we have the following topics:

Thank you for making Graduate Student Appreciation Week a success!

The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences celebrated Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) by hosting several events from April 1 - 5. CCAS would like to thank all those who attended GSAW events, as well as those who submitted fantastic shout-outs for all the great things CCAS graduate students are doing! 

New 24/7 Virtual Health and Well-Being Service

In today’s ‘around the clock’ environment, GW students balance classes, work/internships, family/friends and activities. To help our students access medical and/or counseling services at times and from places that may be more convenient to them – during the day, at night or the weekend – GW has partnered with TimelyCare, a leading virtual telehealth provider to provide telehealth services at no cost to GW students. 

Visit GW’s TimelyCare portal or download the TimelyCare app on either your Android or Apple phone. Sign-in with your GW email address and create a profile to get started. Questions? Email [email protected] or view the GW TimelyCare FAQ page.

Join the Columbian College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council

Application Deadline: 5/17/2024

The CCAS DEI Council is actively seeking representatives to help fill this pivotal role in advancing DEI programming and activities, offering a unique opportunity to effect real change in our community. The council is seeking 1 Master’s and 1 Ph.D. student representative, who will join other students as well as faculty, staff, and senior leadership in creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community within CCAS. 

As a representative member of the council, you will play a crucial role in shaping and advancing DEI programming and initiatives across the college. This is your chance to leave a lasting impact on the community and contribute to the creation of a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. Take advantage of this opportunity to be a part of something significant. Please complete the CCAS DEI Council Self-Nomination form by Friday, May 17th, and join us in creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive CCAS community.

Upcoming Events

CCAS Research Showcase

April 16th, 2024 from 10:00am-12:00pm

The 2024 CCAS Research Showcase event will take place in the third floor ballrooms of the University Student Center. The CCAS Research Showcase is an opportunity for all graduate and undergraduate students in all CCAS programs to present their work to the broader CCAS community in a poster session. Everyone is encouraged, students, staff, and faculty alike, to come to the Research Showcase, interact with our early-career researchers, and learn more about the diverse and impactful work of our students and their research mentors.

2024 Commencement Celebration Dates

Mark your calendars for the following CCAS and GW Commencement Week events:

Celebration Date and Time
Doctoral Hooding Thursday, May 16 at 5:00 PM
Master’s Celebration Friday, May 17 at 8:30 AM
GW Commencement Sunday, May 19 at 10:30 AM
(Graduates and guests must be seated by 10:15 AM EDT.)

Visit the 2024 Commencement Week Schedule page for more information on Commencement Week event locations and permitted number of guests. 

Completing Your Degree in Spring 2024

If you are completing your Master's degree or Doctoral degree requirements in Spring 2024, you must apply to graduate for Spring 2024. If you have not already applied, you can do so through GWeb. Instructions can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website. Once you have applied to graduate, please follow these steps to ensure you are prepared for Commencement Week festivities:

  1. Graduation Survey: Please note that you will not be able to register for tickets to Commencement Week events until you have completed the Graduation Survey.
  2. Ticket registration: Registration for Commencement is open. Please follow the instructions in the email you received from [email protected] to complete registration for Commencement Week events.
  3. Name Pronunciation Form: To make your celebration even more memorable GW will be collecting your name pronunciation in advance to make sure we accurately read your name at the Master's Celebration. You should already have received an email from Commencement inviting you to record your name pronunciation and claim tickets to Commencement Week events. Please ensure that you complete these tasks by April 22. Also, please note that only gwu.edu emails will be used in this process. Please note: CCAS will be using your diploma name in the printed celebration booklet unless you notify us that you have a preferred name which you would rather have listed in the booklet by April 18.
  4. (Doctoral Students only) Advocate Confirmation Form: Please let us know whether your dissertation director (advocate) will attend the doctoral hooding event to hood you by completing the Doctoral Hooding Advocate Confirmation Form no later than April 12th. 

ETD Deadlines Reminder

Please continue to be mindful of upcoming ETD deadlines for Doctoral Students and for Master's students.

The Electronic Theses and Dissertations Submission at GW page and the Master's Thesis ETD Submission page also offer helpful resources for formatting your thesis or dissertation correctly, as well as links to other tools you may find useful. 

Notice for New Students Admitted in Spring 2024

If you started your program of study in the Spring 2024 semester, please make sure that you have turned in all official documents and transcripts required as part of the admissions process. If you have not submitted your transcripts, you will notice a hold on your account and will be unable to register for Fall 2024 courses. If you have a transcript hold, please reach out to our Admissions team at [email protected]. They will work with you to ensure you have turned in all required documents. More information on holds can be found on the Office of the Registrar's Holds page.  

Fall 2024 Registration Information

Fall 2024 course registration is open in GWeb until August 21st, 2024. All CCAS graduate students are required to register continuously each fall and spring semester until the completion of their program. Please visit the Registrar’s Office website for instructions on course registration.

Key Registration Dates this Month:

April 8

Student Accounts Late Fee Policy

Tuition, health insurance charges, and other fees are due by the first day of the semester, or upon registration if the semester has already begun. This means that changes to your registration once the semester has started may impact your Student Account. 

Even if you paid your balance in full prior to the start of the semester, it is important to check your Student Account eBill in GWeb any time your registration changes. For example, if you choose to take an additional course or increase the number of credits you take for a course, you will automatically be charged additional fees and have an outstanding Student Account balance. Additionally, if you drop one course and pick up another course after the 100% tuition refund period has ended, you may have an outstanding Student Account balance even if the courses both have the same number of credits.

Any outstanding balance on your Student Account after the start of the semester may be subject to a late payment fee. The Student Accounts Office charges late fees for each semester in two rounds: a flat, $75 fee earlier in the semester, and a 5% fee based on the total amount owed later in the semester. In fall, the $75 late fee is charged in November, and the 5% fee is charged in December. 

More information on the late fee policy, as well as the full fee schedule, can be found in the Late Payments section of the Student Accounts Office website. Information on course exchanges can be found in the Adding & Dropping Courses section of the Student Accounts Office website.

Career Services & Upcoming Career-Related Events

Managing Job Search Anxiety

Apr 18, 2024 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm (virtual)

Let’s face it, job searching is stressful! Feelings of nervousness, overwhelm, and uncertainty are all natural parts of finding and securing employment. Learn from a panel of experienced career services professionals how to manage job search-related stress and anxiety so you can better navigate this process.

During this session you will gain techniques for minimizing stress and anxiety that come with the job search, understand how to calm your nerves before, during, and after an interview, and receive advice and hear stories from people who have been in your shoes!

Summer Enrichment Opportunities

GWSB AI Course Focusing on Economics, Data Science, Politics, Design, and Sociology

Global & Experiential Education at the GW School of Business is offering a 3-credit course this summer called SMPP 6218: Business & Society: AI (CRN: 71787). This interdisciplinary course explores the dynamic interplay between AI, business practices, and societal outcomes. By delving into the nexus of AI, business, and society, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the profound implications and challenges posed by AI integration in various sectors.

Over a 5-day period, this blended course integrates case analysis and trend examination conducted in lectures, discussions with guest speakers from industry leaders such as OpenAI, Humanitas AI, and Cohere.  The course will focus on case studies of how AI will shape the future of various industries or sectors.  The course will feature guest speakers who are thought leaders in AI and machine learning as well as business and policy leaders who are shaping this rapidly changing landscape. 

For more information on course content and format, as well as key dates, please visit the Business & Society: AI course page.

GSPM Summer 2024 Global Residency - EU Brussels

Application deadline: April 30, 2024

The Graduate School of Political Management’s Global Residency program offers a unique opportunity for students to delve into the politics of specific regions of the world. This 3-credit intensive elective course includes an immersive week in-country, providing first hand exposure to key stakeholders such as politicians, public relations firms, NGOs, and business organizations. Through this experience, students gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge that enrich their academic journey and prepare them for future endeavors in global politics.

During the Summer 2024 Global Residency in Brussels, students will gain unparalleled insights into the workings of the European Union, coupled with engaging sessions, site visits, and networking opportunities that promise to enrich your academic journey. The course runs asynchronously from August 12 - September 7, culminating in a week-long immersion program in Brussels from September 8-14. For more information on the program, application process, and a sample itinerary, please review the program brochure.

Funding, Fellowships, Internships & Employment Opportunities

Below are a number of great opportunities for funding, professional fellowships, internships, and employment. For information on other opportunities funded by CCAS, GW, and outside organizations that are available throughout the year, please visit the Funding Opportunities for Current Graduate Students page.

Reductarian Foundation Fellowship

Deadline: April 15, 2024

The Reducetarian Fellowship is for exceptional DC-area students who are eager to create a more sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. The fellowship includes both a curricular component as well as a summer internship with one of many exciting and impactful partner organizations. Each fellow receives a $7,500 stipend and one-on-one mentorship throughout the year.

Bryce Harlow Fellowship Program

Deadline: April 28, 2024

Since 1985, the Bryce Harlow Foundation has awarded fellowships to highly motivated students in pursuit of a career in professional advocacy through government relations and lobbying. The Foundation considers its Bryce Harlow Fellows to be the future of professional advocacy — those who are committed to practicing the art and science of lobbying with the highest level of integrity. Fellowships are awarded to individuals who work full-time and undertake graduate level studies on a part-time basis. Graduate programs may include, but are not limited to, public policy, law, and business. The $9,000 award will help defray tuition costs and will be paid directly to the university in two installments. Refer to the GW Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships page for more information on eligibility requirements and the application process.

Funding for Unpaid Internships: KACIF Application Now Open

Application deadline: April 30, 2024

The Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund (KACIF) Summer 2024 application period is here! Applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, April 30th.

The GW Career Services Council established KACIF to encourage GW students to pursue high-quality unpaid internships that foster career exploration and enhance their academic program, while reducing the financial challenges associated with unpaid internships. 

KACIF provides grants ranging from $750 to $3,000 to GW undergraduate and graduate students pursuing domestic and international internships that are necessarily unpaid. Interested students can go to the KACIF website to review more information, including eligibility requirements and application instructions. Please note, practicums or internships that are required as a part of a program curriculum are not eligible to receive grants from the KACIF fund. Past KACIF recipients are not eligible to reapply for future funding.

 

Updated April 12, 2024

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