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Student Newsletter - May 2023

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!

Graduate Student Newsletter Archive

May 2023

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 Career Counselor.

For our May newsletter we have the following topics:

Notice for New Students Admitted in Spring 2023

If you started your program of study in the Spring 2023 semester, please make sure that you have turned in all official documents and transcripts required as part of the admissions process. Students who are still missing documents will have a hold placed on their account and will not be able to register for the Fall 2023 semester until those documents are submitted.

2023 Commencement Week Celebrations

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

Celebration Date and Time
Doctoral Hooding Thursday, May 18 at 5:00 pm
Master’s Celebration Friday, May 19 at 8:30 am
GW Commencement Sunday, May 21 at 10:00 am

Summer Session 2023

Summer Session offers students a variety of courses designed to broaden the mind and enhance skills. You can fulfill program requirements, take in-demand courses that fill up quickly during the regular academic year, and get a leg up on prerequisites. 

Summer courses are available to graduate and non-degree seeking students. Working professionals and students from other universities can also take advantage of enrolling in GW's summer session. Visit the Summer Session website for more information on registration deadlines, special programs, tuition, and more. 

Fall 2023 Registration

Registration for Fall 2023 is open for all degree-seeking graduate students. All CCAS graduate students are required to register continuously each fall and spring semester until the completion of their program. For instructions on how to register, please refer to the Office of the Registrar’s website and our Registration page.

Choosing Between RTF & RTF-EZ

In most instances, students will be able to register online through GWeb. In some cases, a paper registration form is required. If paper registration is required, there are two different registration forms: the RTF and RTF-EZ. Refer to our Registration page for examples of when you should use the RTF and when you should use the RTF-EZ.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement

All students must be continuously enrolled while working toward a degree, except during the summer sessions (unless required by the program or if the student intends to graduate in the summer). 

Students who have completed all required coursework except for the final thesis or dissertation must register for 1 credit of Continuing Research (CCAS 0920 for master’s students or CCAS 0940 for doctoral students) in Fall 2023. Summer term potential graduates should contact [email protected] to be registered for Continuous Enrollment (CE) in Summer 2023.

Summer 2023 Ph.D. ETD Workshop, May 24, 3-4 p.m.

Students completing their dissertation in Summer 2023 or in the near future are strongly encouraged to attend this online Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) workshop. The ETD formatting requirements and submission process are a primary focus of the workshop. Our Student Services Team members will also discuss procedures and deadlines pertinent to Ph.D. graduation clearance. This workshop covers requirements specific to CCAS Ph.D. students only. 

Please register in advance to attend this workshop. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Career Services & Upcoming Career-Related Events

All CCAS graduate students have access to a dedicated career coach to help with resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, and many other areas. (Note: The Trachtenberg School and Data Sciences program have their own dedicated career counselors.) Paul Binkley is available to meet one-on-one by scheduling a time in the online career management system Handshake. More information on the services available to CCAS graduate students can be found on our Career Services website and via email at [email protected]. 

Starting Your Internship or Job Search After the Spring Semester?

The end of the spring term can be very stressful and exhausting. Along with final exams and completing class papers or projects, students may also feel the pressure to find an internship or a job. It’s never too late to start the search for internship opportunities or post-graduation employment. CCAS Career Services is here to help all graduate students wherever they are in their professional development journey. Current students and alumni have access to career-enhancing tools, resources, and services including one-on-one coaching sessions. 

Many employers are still looking to fill internship and employment opportunities using “just-in-time” hiring. Although many employers recruit students during the academic year (some as early as a year out), most have positions available immediately. Now is an excellent time to polish a resume and cover letter for positions available shortly after graduation and into the summer. This is also a good time to connect or reconnect with alumni and other professional contacts to learn more about organizations and the positions that may not be posted publicly.

CCAS Career Services is available to help graduate students find internship or job opportunities; write effective resumes and cover letters; build their network; prepare for interviews; and other topics. Students can find out more by contacting [email protected]. 

Upcoming Career Events

To find information on more events, simply access the Events section of Handshake and search by date, employer, or other filters.

Professional Head Shots Now Available at the Center for Career Services

All students can now get professional-quality headshots with the new professional headshot booth located in the Center for Career Services on the fifth floor of the University Student Center. A professional headshot is a window into your personal brand. It is often your first impression when featured on your social media profile and is a must-have on sites like LinkedIn. A professional headshot allows you to portray the professional version of yourself to prospective employers and can help you to stand out from other job seekers. For more information and to schedule an appointment to take your professional headshot, visit the Career Services Professional Headshot Booth page. 

Funding, Fellowships, Internships & Employment Opportunities

Below are a few 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 or the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) website.

NCLC Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Churchill Leadership Center (NCLC) supports the annual NCLC Graduate Research Fellowship Program. This fellowship provides $7,500 awards for short-term research projects focused on topics of relevance to Winston Churchill’s example of global leadership.

Grants will enable recipients to travel to special collections and archives around the globe in support of their research. Preference will be given to projects that emphasize the relevance of Churchill’s leadership to current affairs. The deadline to apply is July 31. For more information, visit the OGSAF website.

Fulbright Public Policy Fellowships

The Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship provides opportunities for U.S. early and mid-career professionals and practitioners to serve in placements in a foreign government ministry or institution around the world. Fulbright Public Policy Fellows build mutual understanding and contribute to strengthening the public sector while cultivating public policy experience in their area of expertise. The Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship also includes an independent professional project that provides fellows the opportunity to interact with the local community and further their career goals.  Professional projects may include workshops, public lectures, or other appropriate professional experiences.

The Fellows will build their knowledge and skills, provide support to partner-country institutions, and promote long-term ties between the U.S. and the partner country. The Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship also includes an independent research component that focuses on an issue related to the Fellow's in-country work. The Fellows have an opportunity to build their knowledge and skills, provide support to partner-country institutions, and promote long-term ties between the U.S. and the partner country. General information on the program can be found on the Fulbright website. Interested applicants are encouraged to sign-up for our MyFulbrighter newsletter for more information on future events as well as join our monthly Fulbright Public Policy Office Hours and view our most recent Webinar. For the 2024-2025 program year, the deadline to apply is September 15, 2023.

 

Updated May 10, 2023

Graduate Student Newsletter Archive