Sections
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences was formally established in 1953 when the university's Board of Trustees authorized graduate study in the departments of chemistry, music, psychology and Near Eastern and Judaic studies. The general direction of the Graduate School is vested in the Council of the Graduate School, composed of a faculty representative of each graduate program and four graduate student representatives.
The Council is chaired by the dean of the graduate school of arts and sciences or his designee. The functions of the Graduate Council, exercised in consonance with university policy, are to determine requirements for admission; provide programs of study and examination; establish and maintain requirements for graduate degrees; make recommendations for degrees; make recommendations for new areas of graduate study; establish such regulations as may be considered necessary or expedient for governing the Graduate School; and exercise a general supervision over its affairs.
The dean of the graduate school of arts and sciences is the chief executive officer of the Graduate School.
The underlying ideal of the Graduate School is to assemble a community of scholars, scientists and artists, in whose company the student-scholar pursues study, research, training and teaching. This objective is attained by individualizing programs of study, restricting the number of students accepted, maintaining continual contact between students and faculty and fostering the intellectual potential of each student.
The graduate programs are designed to educate broadly as well as train professionally, preparing graduates for successful careers in academia, government and the private and nonprofit sectors. Degrees are granted on the evidence of intellectual growth and development, rather than solely on the basis of formal course credits. Fulfillment of the minimum requirements cannot, therefore, be regarded as the sole requisite for degrees.
During the academic year 2010-11, graduate programs will be offered in the following areas:
Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Anthropology
Anthropology & Women's and Gender Studies
Biochemistry and Biophysics
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Comparative History
Computational Linguistics
Computer Science
Computer Science and IT Entrepreneurship
Education (Elementary)
Education (Secondary)
English
English & Women's and Gender Studies
Genetic Counseling
Global Studies
History
Jewish Professional Leadership and Management of Human Services (Heller School)
Jewish Professional Leadership and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Jewish Professional Leadership and Public Policy (Heller School)
Mathematics
Molecular and Cell Biology
Music
Music & Women's and Gender Studies
Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Sociology
Near Eastern and Judaic Studies & Women's and Gender Studies
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Premedical Studies
Psychology
Public Policy & Women's and Gender Studies
Sociology
Sociology and Social Policy (Heller School)
Sociology & Women's and Gender Studies
Studio Art
Sustainable International Development & Women's and Gender Studies (Heller School)
Teaching of Hebrew
Theater Arts
Women's and Gender Studies
The Graduate School also offers postbaccalaureate programs in computer science, mathematics, studio art and premedical studies, as well as a certificate in Ancient Greek and Roman studies. There are also joint degree programs for Ph.D. students at the master's and doctoral levels.
Only well-qualified applicants who have completed at least the normal four-year program leading to the bachelor's degree will be considered for admission to the Graduate School. Graduates of schools outside the United States and others who have completed the equivalent of a bachelor's degree program may apply, describing in detail the educational program they have completed.
Testing
Applicants should consult specific program requirements for testing information. Many programs require the GRE general test, and some may require the appropriate subject test. In the case where the GRE is not required, it is highly recommended that the applicant take the exam prior to submitting an application. In the case of certain programs, the GMAT, Miller Analogy Test, or the MCAT may be substituted for the GRE. Requirements may be found at www.brandeis.edu/gsas.
Applicants should take the GRE no later than six weeks prior to the program's deadline. GRE scores that are received after the appropriate deadline may not be considered. For more information, please consult the Education Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, www.gre.org.
Applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of the field of graduate study, are required to submit the official score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The minimum score for admission to the Graduate School is 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test), or 100 (Web-based test). Applications for admission to the test should be made to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, USA, www.toefl.org.
International applicants may substitute the IELTS exam (International English Language Testing Exam) for the TOEFL. The minimum score for admission is 7.0. For more information, visit www.IELTS.org.
Applying to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Specific requirements for each graduate program are to be found under the appropriate headings in this Bulletin and at www.brandeis.edu/gsas. Each applicant should consult these requirements before filing an application. Except in unusual circumstances, a student may apply to only one graduate program.
Applicants may apply electronically from the university Web site or they may download the application for admission from the Web site. The application for admission should be completed and returned to the GSAS by the specified deadline.
Some master's and certificate programs admit students in the spring. Consult www.brandeis.edu/apply for details. Applications for admission for the spring term should be filed by Nov. 15. Ph.D. candidates are rarely admitted at midyear, but those who do gain admission are eligible for financial aid. Master's degree candidates may be admitted and are eligible for financial aid.
All applicants must arrange to forward official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. In addition, they must submit letters of recommendation, preferably from professors with whom they have studied in their proposed area of study. Applicants who have engaged in graduate study elsewhere should request at least one of the recommendations from a professor with whom they have done graduate work.
Many programs also require the submission of samples of work as well as the materials described above. Applicants should consult www.brandeis.edu/gsas for details.
All applications must be accompanied by the application fee. No application will be processed until this fee is paid.
Applying Electronically (preferred method)
A $75 application fee is required of all candidates that apply online. Applicants may pay via credit card at the time of application submission or may mail a check or money order, made payable to Brandeis University, to the address below. Applications will not be reviewed by the graduate admission committee until the fee has been received and processed.
Applying via Hard-Copy/Paper Application
A $100 application fee is required of all applicants that apply via hard-copy or paper application. Applicants must mail a check or money order, made payable to Brandeis University, to the address below. Applications will not be reviewed by the graduate admission committee until the full fee of $100 has been received and processed.
Application Fee Waivers
The following populations are eligible for a fee waiver via the online application: current Brandeis undergraduate and graduate students; Brandeis alumni; full-time, benefits-eligible Brandeis employees; McNair Scholars; alumni of the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers; Fulbright Scholars; Peace Corp volunteers; AmeriCorps volunteers, City Year alumni, and DAAD scholars. All other applicants must submit an application fee.
Admission Procedure
All applicants are considered on a competitive basis. The number of students admitted each year in each program is limited so that the Graduate School may operate effectively under its distinctive principles of individualized study and apprenticeship. Consequently, admission may sometimes be denied to qualified persons.
Meeting the minimum standards of admission merely qualifies the applicant for a place in the group from which final selections will be made. Selections are based on the applicant's ability to do graduate work of high quality, as shown by the distinction of his or her previous record, particularly in the proposed area of study; the letters of recommendation submitted in support of the application; and his or her presumed adaptability to the particular graduate programs offered by Brandeis.
In addition, knowledge of foreign languages, relevant practical experience in the field, samples of work, the results of the GRE and indications of character are considered.
Each application for admission with all supporting records is first examined by the appropriate program committee. The committee recommends to the dean of Graduate School of Arts and Sciences which applicants should be selected for admission and financial aid. The dean reviews all applications in the light of the program's recommendations.
Acceptance
A student who has been accepted for admission to the Graduate School will be notified by a letter specifying the date by which he or she must accept the offer of admission and awards, if any. A matriculation fee of $300 must be filed by each master's degree or certificate applicant upon notification of acceptance. This fee reserves a place in the class and is credited toward the first semester tuition bill.
If the student fails to enroll or withdraws his or her application, the matriculation fee is not refunded. If a student selected for admission indicates that he or she does not intend to accept the offer or fails to reply by the date specified, the admission offer becomes void and another applicant may be accepted.
Brandeis subscribes to the "Resolution Regarding Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Graduate Assistants" of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States. The resolution states:
Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties. Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.
Students must provide the Graduate School office with an official, final transcript of their undergraduate record, and, if required by the graduate program, any graduate work in process at the time of acceptance. In addition, students who are accepted are required to complete and return a medical questionnaire and a health insurance form. Registration is conditional upon receipt by University Health Services of these required forms.
Admission Deferrals and Reapplying to the Graduate School
If, after having been admitted, a student cannot attend, he or she should notify the Graduate School as soon as possible:
1. Should a Ph.D. student wish to be admitted in a subsequent academic year, he or she must reapply in full.
2. Master's and certificate students admitted into a program may apply for a maximum one-year deferral of their enrollment. Students should submit a request, in writing, to the assistant dean for admission with a $300 tuition deposit to hold their spot. Confirmation of the deferral will be provided in writing from the Graduate School.
3. Doctoral students are not eligible to defer their enrollment.
Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply in a later year, particularly if they have had further training that would strengthen their applications or if they can submit additional letters of recommendation.
Academic Standing
Admission is valid only for one academic year. Graduate programs review students' academic progress annually. Satisfactory academic progress in a program also involves maintaining the professional and departmental standards expected in a particular discipline or program. Academic insufficiency or failure to make suitable progress toward the degree may require withdrawal.
A student's record is reviewed annually and recommendations for readmission are made by the graduate programs. However, programs may also review academic records at the end of each semester if a student is not making suitable academic progress. In these cases academic probation or withdrawal may result. Admission to the Graduate School does not imply that the successful applicant will be accepted as a candidate for a graduate degree. Superior performance at Brandeis is essential.
Graduates of international colleges and universities who have the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree and international students who have graduated from American universities may compete for admission and financial assistance at Brandeis, which is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
Entrance Examinations
All applicants whose native language is not English must submit the official score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Thorough competence in English is required for study at Brandeis. Applicants should consult specific programs for additional test requirements. For information concerning the administration of the TOEFL, write to the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, www.toefl.org. Applicants may substitute IELTS test results for the TOEFL.
Applicants may also take the IELTS exam (International English Language Testing Exam). The minimum score for admission is 7.0. For more information, visit www.IELTS.org.
Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships is available to outstanding Ph.D. students. Limited tuition grants are also available on the basis of need and merit to master's degree students. However, the total assistance offered usually covers only a portion of the student's expenses. Hence master's degree students, when applying for admission, must indicate a means of financial support.
Employment
The regulations of the United States Department of Homeland Security limit strictly the amount of paid work that a student from abroad may do. Additional information regarding employment regulations is provided to students by the International Students and Scholars Office.
The following general requirements apply to the awarding of graduate degrees in all areas of study. For specific program requirements students should consult the appropriate section of this Bulletin. Requirements for postbaccalaureate certificate programs are listed in the relevant program sections of this Bulletin.
Master of Arts and Master of Science
In order to qualify for a master's degree, the student must complete a minimum of one year's residency at Brandeis, ordinarily computed as eight term courses of approved study. Some programs require a two-year residency. Please consult the appropriate program for detailed information.
Programs offering master's degrees may require that the candidate demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language and pass satisfactorily a general or qualifying examination which, at the program's discretion, may be in one or more parts and may be written, oral or both.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, students entering graduate programs with a master's thesis requirement must electronically deposit their thesis to the Robert D. Farber University Archives. The master's thesis requirement will not be considered fulfilled and the thesis will not be published through the University Archives, until the Certification of Master's Thesis Acceptance form is submitted to the Graduate School. The signed and completed form must reach the Graduate School by the submission deadline listed in the academic calendar.
The master's degree must be earned within four years from the inception of full-time graduate study at Brandeis.
Master of Fine Arts
In order to qualify for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in music, the candidate must complete a two-year residency at Brandeis, ordinarily computed as 12 term courses at the graduate level, and must meet the specific requirements for the degree as set forth under "Music, Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree," in a later section of this Bulletin. Two copies of the thesis or composition must be submitted to the program chair in final form by the date specified in the current academic calendar.
In order to qualify for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in theater arts, the candidate must complete a three-year residency in design or acting, and meet the specific requirements for the degree as outlined under "Theater Arts, Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree," in a later section of this Bulletin.
The Master of Fine Arts degree must be earned within five years from the inception of full-time graduate study at Brandeis.
Doctor of Philosophy
In order to qualify for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a student must ordinarily complete a minimum of four years of graduate study, including three full years of residence and a fourth year devoted to the preparation of a doctoral dissertation. Under certain conditions, credit for advanced standing will be granted for work taken in residence in graduate schools of other universities. Each program reserves the right to require prospective candidates for the degree to perform work in excess of its minimum standards to assure thorough mastery of the area.
Prospective candidates may be required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language. In all areas of study, the student must satisfactorily pass a general or qualifying examination which, at the program's discretion, may be in one or more parts and may be written, oral or both. In addition, all prospective candidates must write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in a final oral examination.
Each student will have the opportunity to develop skills as a teacher through close supervision of progressive pedagogic experiences by assisting or teaching one or more courses, as appropriate. Participation in ongoing discipline-specific, as well as skill-specific training through department- and school-wide seminars during a student's teaching apprenticeship in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, is expected.
To be eligible for the Ph.D. degree, the student must (1) complete all course, residence and teaching requirements, (2) pass all language and qualifying examinations, (3) have written and successfully defended the doctoral dissertation and (4) be otherwise in good standing.
Students entering Brandeis with no previous graduate work must earn the doctorate within eight years from the inception of study. Students who are granted credit for a year of graduate work completed elsewhere must earn the degree within seven years from the inception of their study at Brandeis.
Students who have passed the terminal point for the degree must apply to the Graduate School for an extension no later than the final semester prior to the expiration of their time to graduate.
Language Requirements
There is no university requirement for foreign language competency at either the master's or doctoral level.
Each program determines which languages are acceptable as satisfying its foreign language requirement. Some programs may not require foreign language competency, while others may set requirements that will vary within the subfields offered by those programs. In programs where languages are required, students are expected to satisfy the requirement as soon as possible.
For specific requirements of each program, consult the program listing in this Bulletin.
Joint Degrees
Interdisciplinary in design, the joint M.A. degree in women's and gender studies and a discipline aims to give M.A. and Ph.D. students a solid grounding in their discipline-specific program while offering them the tools with which to incorporate women's and gender studies into their areas of research.
This joint master's option, which may be pursued as a terminal degree or along the way to the Ph.D., is available in several programs that are listed in the "Women's and Gender Studies" section of the catalog. Consult the relevant sections of this Bulletin regarding the joint Ph.D. degree programs in NEJS and sociology, politics and social policy, and sociology and social policy.
Students who are interested in designing a joint Ph.D. degree in two doctoral programs within the university may do so by petitioning the graduate school with their proposed program of study early in their graduate career. The admissions committees for both programs must approve the petition. It is understood that the student must satisfy all the requirements of both programs and defend one dissertation before a defense committee comprised of faculty from both programs. Students should consult the dean of the graduate school for more specific information about applying for a joint doctoral degree.
Degrees in Passing
Students enrolled in a Ph.D. program are allowed to apply for a master's degree within that program if they have satisfied all the requirements for the particular master's degree. Students are limited to only one master's degree in passing. Students may not apply for a master's degree in passing if they already hold a master's degree from the university, unless there is no overlap (double counting) in the terms used to fulfill the residency requirements for the two degrees.
Application for Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Certificates
Candidates for graduate degrees and certificates must file an application with the University Registrar per the specified dates in the academic calendar in the year in which the degree or certificate is to be awarded. Upon written recommendation from a candidate's program or committee that the application be approved, the record will be reviewed by the Graduate Council, which recommends the student to the university's Board of Trustees for the award of the degree or certificate.
Postbaccalaureate certificate candidates must have a minimum of a B- GPA to be eligible for a certificate. In case of failure or withdrawal from candidacy in any year, the student must reapply by filing a new application in a later year.
Under special circumstances, a student in the postbaccalaureate studio art program may be given permission to return for continued studies. In this instance, the student would receive the certificate at the end of his or her extended course of study.
Dissertation and Final Oral Examination
When a student is ready to write the doctoral dissertation, the chair of the student's program will appoint a dissertation reading committee of no fewer than three faculty members. Two of the committee members must come from the student's own department; one must be tenured; and one must come from another department or from outside the university. The student's principal adviser will serve as the chair of this committee, which will guide the research and preparation of the dissertation.
The student must provide each reader with a copy of the dissertation, along with an abstract of no more than 350 words, for approval. The style and format of the dissertation is determined by each program.
The dissertation, when approved by the readers as eligible for a defense, must be deposited in the program office, where it will be available for inspection by all interested members of the faculty for at least two weeks prior to the final oral examination.
The dissertation reading committee, with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the chair of the student's program, will appoint a dissertation examining committee to preside over the student's final oral examination and will notify the student of the time and place of the final oral examination at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the examination.
The program and the Graduate School office will publish the time and place of the candidate's final oral examination of the doctoral dissertation. The defense must be on the premises of the university; normally all members of the defense committee must be present, but in special cases (with approval of the Dean of GSAS) a video conference is possible. A conference call, however, is not acceptable.
The final oral examination is open to any member of the faculty engaged in graduate instruction and invited faculty members from other institutions. A student must be registered and enrolled in the term(s) in which the dissertation is defended and submitted to the Graduate School office.
The dissertation examining committee, approved by the program chair and the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, must comprise a minimum of three faculty members. At least one must be a tenured member of the Brandeis faculty; at least two must be faculty members holding an appointment in that program's home department; at least one must either be a faculty member outside the student's program or an expert in the student's field of study from another institution. Normally, all members of the committee must hold a Ph.D. degree, although the program chair, with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, may waive the requirement when a potential committee member has demonstrated a capacity to do research or be helpful in supervising a dissertation.
The examination may be restricted to a defense of the dissertation or may cover the whole field of the dissertation. The candidate will be notified by his or her program of responsibility for coverage prior to the examination.
A report, signed by the dissertation examining committee, certifying the candidate's successful performance at the final oral examination, will be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.
If the dissertation examining committee requires "major revisions" (involving significant matters of substance), the revisions must be reviewed and accepted by the entire committee, not just the dissertation supervisor. If these revisions are not made within six months of the dissertation defense, there must be a re-defense of the dissertation.
Deposit and Publication of Dissertation
No later than the dates specified for dissertation deposit in the current academic calendar for February, May and August degrees, the candidate must electronically deposit one copy of the finished dissertation in a state suitable for microfilm and digital scanning. The dissertation must have the signed approval of the dissertation supervisor and readers and must comply with the publishing guidelines outlined by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Submission of the dissertation to, and acceptance by, the Graduate School constitutes the completion of degree requirements.
All students will receive a digitally scanned, softbound copy of the dissertation; those wishing a hardbound copy of the original may order one through ProQuest. Softbound copies will also be distributed to the department and to the Library. The Library will receive a microfiche copy. All dissertations will be processed through ProQuest LLC Dissertation Publishing.
Bibliographic citations and abstracts will be published in Dissertation Abstracts International, online, CD-ROM and microform. Bibliographic information concerning these documents will also be made available through the UMI Dissertation Abstracts Database and to a worldwide network of online information providers including OCLC and Dialog®. The Brandeis Libraries make dissertations available to students and scholars for research purposes.
Detailed instructions for submitting dissertations are available from the Graduate School office or GSAS Web site under Resources for Current Students. See also the statement in this Bulletin, under "Fees and Expenses," on the final doctoral fee.
Registration
Every resident, post-resident and continuation student must register at the beginning of each term, whether attending regular courses of study, carrying on research or independent reading, writing a thesis or dissertation or utilizing any academic service or facility of the university.
Program of Study
Before enrolling, the student should plan a program of study in consultation with the chair or graduate adviser of the program.
Graduate students may not register for an undergraduate course (numbered below 100) for degree or certificate (except in premedical studies) credit unless they complete a special petition available in the Office of the University Registrar, which requires the signatures of the instructor of that course and their program chair or graduate adviser.
Credit will not be given for undergraduate courses taken to make up deficiencies in the student's preparation for a program of graduate studies. Ordinarily a student may not receive credit toward completion of degree or residence requirements for courses undertaken to aid in the completion of language requirements. Students wishing to drop a full-year course at midyear must complete a special petition available in the Office of the University Registrar, which requires the signatures of the instructor of the course and the chair of their program.
At the end of the registration period (see "Academic Calendar" for specific date), all course enrollments are considered to be final.
Auditing Courses
The privilege of auditing courses without fee is extended to all regularly enrolled, full-time graduate students except special students. Special students may audit courses by paying for them at the same rate as those taken for credit. No courses may be audited without the permission of the instructor and the student's program chair. Auditors may not take examinations or expect evaluation from the instructor. No credit is given for an audited course.
Change of Program
Students are allowed to drop courses after the end of the registration period. To do so, an add/drop form is obtained from the registrar's Web site, the necessary signatures are obtained, and the form is returned to the Office of the University Registrar. Courses must be dropped no later than the published deadline in the academic calendar.
Absence from Examinations
Students who are absent from a midyear or final examination without an accepted excuse will receive a failing grade for that examination. No students may be excused from such examination unless for emergency or medical reasons, nor may they be excused if they were able to notify the instructor in advance and failed to do so.
Cases involving absence are referred to the chair of the program who will decide whether a make-up examination shall be allowed and will notify the Office of the University Registrar of the decision. The examination must be taken within six weeks of the opening of the next term.
Grades and Course Standards
Graduate students are expected to maintain records of distinction in all courses. Letter grades will be used in all courses in which grading is possible. In readings or research courses, if a letter grade cannot be given at the end of each term or academic year, credit (CR) or no credit (NC) may be used.
NC and any letter grade below B- are unsatisfactory grades in the Graduate School. A course in which the student receives an unsatisfactory grade will not be counted toward graduate credit. Postbaccalaureate students must have at least a B- average to be eligible for the certificate.
Programs may review academic records at the end of each semester if a student is not making suitable academic progress. In these cases, academic probation or withdrawal may result.
Final grades are available to students through the registration system upon posting by the University Registrar after the end of each semester.
Incompletes
A student who has not completed the research or written work for any course may receive an EI (incomplete) or a failing grade at the discretion of the course instructor. A student who receives an EI must satisfactorily complete the work of the course in which the incomplete was given in order to receive credit for the course and a letter grade. An incomplete, unless given by reason of the student's failure to attend a final examination, must be made up no later than the date published in the academic calendar for the term. Students are required to submit work to faculty in a timely manner to ensure completion of courses.
When failure to take a final examination has resulted in an EI, resolution of that EI to a letter grade must occur within six weeks of the beginning of the next term. An EI that is not resolved within the stated time limits will automatically become a permanent incomplete (I). A student may petition the associate dean for graduate education for a change in a permanent incomplete, provided that the petition is signed by the instructor of the course and the program chair. All grade changes are subject to the approval of the University Registrar.
Credit for Work Done Elsewhere
Graduate-level courses taken prior to matriculation at Brandeis may not be applied to reduce a one-year residence requirement for the Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees, although a program may accept work taken elsewhere in partial fulfillment of specific course requirements for the degree. In that case, additional courses are designated to replace courses from which the student has been exempted. The postbaccalaureate programs do not accept transfer credit.
For the Master of Fine Arts degree and for master's degree programs that have a two-year residence requirement, a maximum of one term of residence credit for graduate-level courses may be counted toward fulfillment of the residence requirements.
Students admitted to Ph.D. programs may file an application to have graduate-level courses counted toward fulfillment of residence requirements at this institution. A maximum of one year of residence credit may be granted.
Applicants for transfer credit will not necessarily be granted the credit requested. Each program reserves the right to require of any student work in excess of its minimum standards to assure thorough mastery of the area of study. In all cases, courses being transferred must carry a grade of B or better and must have been earned at an appropriately accredited institution.
After completing one term of residence at a full-time rate or the equivalent at a part-time rate, students eligible to apply for transfer credit may do so. Forms are obtained from the Office of the University Registrar and submitted to the student's program for approval. The form is then returned to the Office of the University Registrar.
Graduate Cross-Registration
A full-time graduate student at Brandeis may enroll in one graduate course each term at Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University or the Graduate Consortium in Women's Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Information on courses for cross-registration at each of the host institutions is available at the graduate school office of each institution.
A student at Brandeis who wishes to enroll in a graduate course at one of the host institutions should obtain a registration permit from the Office of the University Registrar and should present this permit to the office of the registrar of the host institution. The student should consult with the instructor in the particular course and should expect to satisfy the prerequisites and requirements normally required for admission to the course, including adherence to the academic calendar of that course.
Academic Residence Requirements
Residence requirements for all full-time graduate degrees are computed by determining the amount of registration for credit and the tuition charges.
Master of Arts and Master of Science
The minimum residence requirement for most full-time master's degree students is one academic year in a full-time graduate credit program at full tuition. A few programs have a two-year residency requirement, so consult specific programs for this information. Transfer credit may not normally be applied to residence requirements for the M.A. and M.S. degrees.
There is no residence requirement for approved part-time master's programs.
Master of Fine Arts
The minimum residence requirement for all MFA students in music is four terms at a full-time rate, at the full tuition rate for each term. Residence may be reduced by a maximum of one term with approved transfer credit.
The minimum residence for students in design and acting is six terms at the full tuition rate for each term. Residence may be reduced by a maximum of one term with approved transfer credit.
There is no residence requirement for approved part-time MFA programs.
Doctor of Philosophy
The residence requirement for all students is three academic years in a full-time graduate credit program for each year, at the full tuition rate for each year, or the equivalent thereof in part-time study. A maximum of one year's approved transfer credit may be granted toward residence for the Ph.D. degree.
Full-Time Resident Students
A full-time student is one who devotes the entire time, during the course of the academic year, to a program of graduate work at Brandeis. Full-time students should consult with their advisers before taking on any outside commitments that might interfere with their academic progress.
A full-time program may include a combination of teaching and research assistance, other work leading to the fulfillment of degree requirements, such as preparation for qualifying, comprehensive and final examinations, supervised reading and research and Ph.D. dissertations, as well as regular course work.
A full-time resident student may take as many courses for credit in any term as are approved by the program chair, but no student may receive credit for, or be charged for, more than a full-time program in any term. Thus the minimum residence requirement for any degree may not be satisfied by an accelerated program of study or payment of more than the full-time tuition rate in any single academic year.
Part-Time Resident Students
A part-time student is one who devotes less than the entire time to a program of graduate work at Brandeis and is enrolled in fewer than 12 credits.
Students who wish to change their status from full-time to part-time residency, must file with the Graduate School office a request to change to part-time. Students are assumed to be full-time until such a request is made.
Many master's and certificate programs allow students to apply as part-time students at the time of admission.
Post-Resident Students
A graduate student who has completed residence requirements and who needs to utilize the full range of academic services and university facilities while completing degree requirements is a post-resident student and should register for CONT 500a (Graduate Research), or the appropriate courses required to complete their programs.
Continuation Students
A graduate student who has completed all degree requirements except the dissertation (and in some cases the teaching requirement) is eligible for continuation status. A student in this category enrolls on a full-time basis, and is eligible for university health insurance, borrowing privileges in the library, a computer account, use of gym facilities and purchase of a parking sticker. They are not normally eligible for fellowships or for leaves of absence, except for health reasons.
Continuation students must enroll before the end of the registration period each semester in CONT 500a (Graduate Research). For questions regarding these enrollments, please contact the Office of the University Registrar.
International students must enroll in CONT 500a (Graduate Research). Please contact the International Students and Scholars Office if there are special circumstances.
Graduate Summer Term
GSAS Graduate Summer Term exists for students in several categories.
Students in the programs listed below are required to register for summer term:
1. Ph.D. students in the life sciences, chemistry, physics or computer science program are required to be on campus or at a related lab for the full year while engaged in taking classes and/or doing research related to their field of study and should register for CONT 250b. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement.
2. Master's students in genetics counseling are required to participate in a clinical internship and in research and should register for BIOL 212a and BIOL 213a. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement.
3. Master's students in the MAT program.
Brandeis Summer School
Students who are pursuing a master's degree or postbaccalaureate certificate may choose to enroll in graduate level courses in the Brandeis Summer School. Some GSAS departments may choose to designate selected courses offered through the Summer School for credit toward a GSAS master's degree or postbaccalaureate certificate. Students may review course listings in the Summer School Bulletin on the Summer School Web site www.brandeis.edu/summer/index.
Please note that GSAS students who register for summer courses in the Brandeis Summer School, the Heller School or the International Business School will be expected to pay the appropriate tuition to that school. GSAS tuition scholarships and grants do not apply.
Postbaccalaureate Students
A postbaccalaureate student is a graduate student who is working in an approved course of study. Normal tuition charges apply; see the "Fees and Expenses" section for program-specific fees.
Postbaccalaureate programs may not be pursued concurrently with other formal degree work. Students who subsequently become candidates for graduate degrees are subject to the Graduate School's policy regarding transfer credit toward graduate degrees.
Special Students
Properly qualified applicants who wish to audit or to take courses without working for a degree may be admitted. Special students are normally not eligible for university loans, scholarships, fellowships or teaching or research assistantships.
Special students who later wish to change their status to that of part-time or full-time students working for a degree must apply for admission as resident students. They must also file a special petition if they wish credit to be accepted for any courses taken at Brandeis as special students. Credit for such course work may be granted in exceptional cases. Normally, no more than two courses taken for credit may be transferable if the student is admitted to either the master's or doctoral program.
Students must apply as a special student for each semester in which they wish to take a class. Details can be found at www.brandeis.edu/gsas.
Leave of Absence
Students may petition for a leave of absence. The petition must have the approval of the chair of the program and the Graduate School. Leaves of absence up to one year will normally be granted to students in good academic standing who present compelling personal reasons. Returns from leave may be subject to conditions established at the inception of the leave. Time spent on authorized leaves of absence will not be counted toward the maximum time permitted to complete degree requirements.
If, for any reason, a student must extend a leave of absence, he or she must request such an extension in writing before the leave of absence expires. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from the Graduate School. Students who extend their leaves of absence beyond one year may lose departmental funding. Should a student wish to return, the student will be considered for funding as part of the department's entering cohort of students.
Leave of Absence with Credit
Students enrolled in a Ph.D. or master's program with a two-year residency may apply to study abroad with credit. Although this option does not affect the current regulation concerning the maximum amount of transfer credit for work done elsewhere, it does allow a student to receive transfer credit after matriculation.
To qualify for transfer credit upon return, a student must submit to his or her program prior to studying abroad a list of proposed courses to be approved by the graduate program chair. The courses must be at the graduate level and constitute a full-time course load.
Because the University Registrar must certify full-time status for purposes of loan deferment and federal loan eligibility, the application must include documentation related to the formulation of full-time status at the host school as well as the name of the contact person at the host school. To receive credit upon return, a student must earn grades of at least B and submit an official transcript along with the Transfer for Credit petition to the Registrar's office.
Withdrawal
A student who wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the Graduate School during a semester must do so in writing to the program chair and the Graduate School on or before the last day of instruction in the term. Failure to notify the university in writing of a withdrawal may subject the student to loss of eligibility for refunds in accordance with the refund schedule outlined in the "Fees and Expenses" section. Permission to withdraw voluntarily will not be granted if the student has not discharged all financial obligations to the university or has not made financial arrangements satisfactory to the bursar.
Students who are obliged to register and fail to do so by the appropriate deadline or who fail to pay their bill will be administratively withdrawn. They may be readmitted (see below) for study in a subsequent term, but not for the term in which they were withdrawn for failure to register. Belatedly fulfilling financial obligations will not negate the effects of administrative withdrawal.
Readmission
A student who has not been enrolled in the Graduate School for more than one year and who did not obtain a leave of absence must file an application for readmission. The student's graduate program will determine in each case whether a student should be readmitted. If the program's requirements have changed during the student's absence or the student is not deemed current in his or her field of study, the program may require the student to repeat or supplement previous academic requirements, including foreign language or qualifying exams. When a student is reinstated, he or she will be informed of current status regarding credits and time to degree.
Payment of tuition and other fees is due on Aug. 13, 2010, for the fall semester and Jan. 7, 2011, for the spring semester. A student who has not paid such fees by the day of registration will be refused the privilege of registration. A late fee will be assessed to all student accounts with outstanding balances after the stated due date. The amount of the late fee will be $100, or 2 percent of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater.
The monthly payment plan allows the year's charges to be paid in 10 equal monthly installments. Tuition Management Systems has contracted with Brandeis to administer the monthly payment plan. The application and a nonrefundable handling fee of $70 must be returned to TMS by July 21, 2010. For any applications returned by July 21, 2010, the payment plan electronic withdrawals will begin on Aug. 1, 2010.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Services for additional information.
A student who defaults in the payment of indebtedness to the university shall be subject to suspension, dismissal and refusal of a transfer of credits or issuance of an official transcript. In addition, the university may refer the debt to an outside collection agency. The student is responsible for costs associated with the collection of the debt.
Such indebtedness includes, but is not limited to, an overdue balance owed to the university or the delinquency of a borrower in repaying a loan administered by the student loan office and the inability of that office to collect such a loan because the borrower has discharged the indebtedness through bankruptcy proceedings. If the student is a degree or certificate candidate, his or her name will be stricken from the rolls.
A student who has been suspended or dismissed for nonpayment of indebtedness to the university may not be reinstated until such indebtedness is paid in full.
Application Fee: $75 (online application), $100 (paper application)
Payable by all applicants for admission at the time the application for admission is submitted. It is not refundable. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Brandeis. No application for admission will be processed until this fee is paid. There is a one-time fee waiver for Brandeis students and alumni.
Matriculation Deposit: $300
Payable by a master's degree or certificate applicant upon notification of acceptance. This fee reserves a place in the class and is credited toward the first semester tuition bill. If a student fails to enroll or withdraws his or her application, the matriculation deposit is forfeited.
Tuition Fees
The fees for tuition in the Graduate School for 2010-11 are as follows:
Full-time resident students: $38,994 per year, or $19,497 per term.
Post-resident students: $2,438 per year.
Continuation fee: $1,220 per year.
Postbaccalaureate studio art students: $18,000 per year.
Master of Arts in Teaching students: $7,125 per term.
Master of Science, genetic counseling students: $29,244 per year.
Special students, postbaccalaureate computer science and premedical students, and part-time resident students: $4,874 per course, per term or $1,218.50 per credit, per term.
In view of the constantly increasing costs of education, students may expect one or more tuition increases during their academic careers.
Postbaccalaureate Program Fees
Medical school application processing fee: $100, one-time fee payable on entrance.
Graduate Activity fee: $66.
Orientation Fee: $42
A one-time fee payable by students entering for the first time.
Final Doctoral Fee: $235
This fee covers all costs for the year in which the Ph.D. degree will be conferred, including the costs for the full publishing services for the dissertation; publication of the abstract of the dissertation in Dissertation Abstracts; issuance of a Library of Congress number, appropriate library cards and deposit of the dissertation in digital format at the Library of Congress; three xerographic softbound copies (for the author, department and library); and a microfiche for the Brandeis library. The final doctoral fee also covers the cost of the diploma.
Note: All candidates for the Ph.D. degree must pay the $235 final doctoral fee at the Office of Student Financial Services before they file their application for degree with the Office of the University Registrar.Returned Check Fee: $25
A bank service fee will be charged to a student's account if a payment or a check negotiated through Brandeis is returned by the bank for any reason.
Transcript Fee: $5
Students, former students and graduates should request official transcripts of their records from the Office of the University Registrar. Students are entitled to 20 official transcripts of their academic work without charge. A charge of $5 may be made for each subsequent transcript. Requests by mail for transcripts must be accompanied by a check in the correct amount payable to Brandeis. Official transcripts will be issued only to those students whose university financial records are in order.
Student Health Services Fee: $636 (optional)
Entitles the full-time graduate student to use of Health Services.
Student Health Insurance Plan (single coverage): $1,607
All three-quarter or full-time students are required by state law to show certification of health insurance. Students without insurance of their own must purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan through the university. The fee is payable prior to registration and no portion is refundable. Student insurance is optional for special students. Additional insurance options, including family coverage, are described in A Guide to University Health Services, which is available from the Office of Health Services.
Parking Fee: $60-$250 per year
Payable annually at fall registration for the privilege of parking an automobile on campus. Fee varies with assigned parking area.
Monthly Payment Plan Fee: $70 (full year), $50 (one semester)
Late Fee: $100, or 2 percent of outstanding balance, whichever is greater
Refunds
The only fee that may be refundable, in part, is the tuition fee. No refund of the tuition fee will be made because of illness, absence or dismissal during the academic year. A student who is withdrawing must notify the Graduate School in writing; refunds will be based on the date of notification and calculated in accordance with the following:
1. Tuition
Withdrawal
Before the opening day of instruction: 100 percent of the term's tuition.
On or before the second Friday following the opening day of instruction: 75 percent of the term's tuition.
On or before the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: 50 percent of the term's tuition.
After the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: no refund.
Requests for refunds should be addressed to the bursar's office.
2. Scholarship
In the case of a scholarship student who withdraws, the student's account will be credited with the same proportion of the term scholarship as charged for tuition: 75 percent if the student leaves on or before the second Friday, 50 percent on or before the fifth Friday and no refund thereafter.
3. Federal Loans
In compliance with federal law, special refund arrangements apply to students receiving aid under Title IV. Contact the Graduate School financial aid officer for additional information.
Refund Policy for Dropped Courses
A student who drops courses on the per-course tuition charge basis is allowed a refund following this schedule:
1. Full semester-long courses
Before the opening day of instruction through the last day of the registration period (see the Academic Calendar): 100 percent of the dropped course's tuition fee.
On or before the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: 50 percent of the dropped course's tuition fee.
After the fifth Friday following the opening day of instruction: no refund.
2. Module courses
On or before the second Friday of module instruction (see the academic calendar): 100 percent of the dropped course's tuition fee.
After the second Friday of module instruction: no refund.
Housing
Ten-month living expenses in the Waltham area for a single individual on an economical budget are estimated to range from $9,000-18,261. Limited housing is available in the university's graduate residence halls. Costs for on-campus housing range from approximately $3,273-4,208 per semester for a single person. Graduate housing includes kitchen facilities, but students may also purchase university meal plans.
Title IV Cancellations
If you have been awarded a student loan (Federal Stafford or Grad PLUS) you have a right to cancel all or a portion of your loan or loan disbursement. To do so, please submit a written request to: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Mailstop 031, P.O. Box 549110, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
A request for loan cancellation or adjustment must be made before the end of the academic year or prior to leaving school, whichever comes first, and must state which loan(s) and what amount(s) you wish to cancel. Cancellation of your awarded student loan(s) will most likely create a balance due on your account. This balance would be due and payable upon receipt of the statement.
Fellowships and Scholarships
Students receiving financial aid from Brandeis, whether in the form of a fellowship or scholarship, are required to maintain a superior level of academic progress.
A fellowship is an academic award of honor to outstanding students to help them in furthering advanced study, research and training in teaching. A fellowship recipient must pay tuition fees unless the award includes a scholarship in an amount covering tuition.
A scholarship is an award on grounds of scholarly ability that will be used exclusively for remission of tuition fees. Full scholarships and partial scholarships are available. Scholarship students are liable for all but tuition charges.
All awards are granted and accepted with the understanding that they may be revoked at any time for undesirable conduct or poor academic standing.
Ordinarily, no student may hold a fellowship or scholarship for more than two years of study for the master's degree, more than three years of study for the MFA degree or more than five years of study for the Ph.D. degree. Priority in making awards is given to full-time students.
A student's tuition scholarship, fellowship and/or stipend are contingent on continued enrollment, as well as the conditions set out annually in this Bulletin, including, but not limited to, satisfactory academic progress. Changes in student status, such as leaves of absence, withdrawal, change of degree program, graduation or similar circumstances, will normally result in the cessation of university stipends and fellowships effective as of the date of any such change in status.
All students contemplating outside employment that would require a significant portion of their time should discuss their intentions with their program adviser.
Research and Course Assistantships
Research and course assistantships are available in several programs, especially the science areas. Application should be made to the chair of the graduate program.
Dean's Fellowship
Brandeis established the Dean's Fellowship in 1995. The fellowship was created to encourage students from groups whose underrepresentation in the nation's Ph.D. population has been severe and long-standing to pursue doctoral studies in the humanities, social sciences and creative arts at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis. The Dean's Fellowship provides five years of funding with a nine-month stipend, assuming satisfactory academic progress.
Factors considered in eligibility include financial need, first-generation status and/or membership in a traditionally underrepresented group. In order to qualify for the Dean's Fellowship, applicants must be nominated by one of the following programs: American history, anthropology, comparative history, english, music, Near Eastern and Judaic studies, psychology, politics or sociology.
Students who wish to be considered for the Dean's Fellowship should express their interest in the statement of purpose included with their application.
Tuition Grants
A limited number of need-based grants are available for master's degree candidates who are enrolled at least half-time. Students may apply for need-based grants by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the International Student Application for Aid.
Loans
Direct Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program and who demonstrate need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Graduate students may borrow up to $8,500 per year in subsidized money. Postbaccalaureate certificate students may borrow up to $7,000 per year. The maximum aggregate limit for the program (including undergraduate borrowing) is $65,500.
Postbaccalaureate certificate students may borrow up to $7,000 per year. The maximum aggregate limit for the program (including undergraduate borrowing) is $65,500.
Direct Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are available to students who are not eligible for subsidized Stafford Loans based on need. Applicants must still file the FAFSA. Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $12,000 a year ($5,000 for independent postbaccalaureate students) with an aggregate maximum of $73,000 in unsubsidized money. Eligible students may borrow from the subsidized and the unsubsidized Stafford programs, as long as the annual total does not exceed $20,500.
The interest rate on both versions of the Stafford Loan is a fixed rate of 6.8 percent.
Repayment of a Stafford Loan begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The standard repayment period is 10 years, during which time interest is charged. (Please go to www.studentloans.gov for information about alternate repayment plans.) There is no interest charged during the in-school period for subsidized loans. However, students are required to pay the interest during the in-school period or have it capitalized and added to the loan balance for the unsubsidized loan.
The terms for the above loan programs are subject to federal legislation, regulations and other guidance, and may change. Additional current information is available from the Graduate School.
Students wishing to apply for loans should contact the Graduate School for application materials.
The Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan that allows graduate students to borrow up to their total cost of education less any financial aid received. The student must pass an independent credit review. The PLUS Loan has an origination fee of 2.5 percent and the interest rate for the 2010-11 academic year will be a fixed rate of 7.9 percent. Go to www.studentloans.gov to apply for this loan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal assistance make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the university. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences delegates the responsibility to monitor academic progress to the individual graduate programs. Admission to the Graduate School is valid for one academic year. Graduate programs review students' academic progress and make recommendations for readmission annually. Any student who is readmitted for the following year is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and is eligible for financial aid from federal sources.
Students who enter the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences must earn the doctorate within eight years, the Master of Arts within four years, the Master of Fine Arts within five years and the postbaccalaureate certificate within two years from the inception of study exclusive of leaves of absence (pro-rated for part-time study). Students who have passed the terminal point for the degree may apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for an extension and, if approved, may be eligible for additional federal financial aid.