Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Last updated: April 1, 2020 at 12:42 PM

History and Organization

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 a minimum of one graduate student representative.

The Council is chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their 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.

Objectives

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.

Areas of Graduate Study

During the academic year 2019-20, graduate programs will be offered in the following areas:

Graduate School

Admission

Only well-qualified applicants who have completed at least the normal four-year program (or international equivalent) leading to the bachelor's degree will be considered for admission to the Graduate School. 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. Most programs require the GRE general test, and some may require the appropriate subject test. In the case where the GRE is 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, SAT I, ACT, or the MCAT may be accepted. Requirements may be found on the GSAS website.

Applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of the field of graduate study, are required to submit official English test scores: either the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score for admission to the Graduate School is 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test), or 100 (internet-based test). Test registration is done via TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, USA www.ets.org/toefl. International applicants may submit the IELTS exam (International English Language Testing Exam) instead of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score for admission is 7. For more information, visit www.IELTS.org. The Graduate School also accepts Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic with a minimum score of 68. More information on the PTE can be found at pearsonpte.com. Certain countries may be eligible for a test waiver, please see GSAS website for details.

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 on the GSAS website. Each applicant should consult these requirements before submitting an application. Except in unusual circumstances, a student may apply to only one graduate program in an academic year.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. The application for admission should be completed and submitted to GSAS by the specified deadline.

Few master's programs admit students in the spring. Consult GSAS for details and deadlines. PhD candidates are rarely admitted at midyear. Admitted PhD and Master's students will be considered for financial aid.

Unofficial transcripts for prior undergraduate and graduate work should be provided for admission review purposes. 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 the GSAS website for details.

All applications must be accompanied by the application fee. No application will be processed until this fee is paid.

Applying Electronically

A $75 application fee is required of all candidates. Applicants may pay via credit card, ACH or wire transfer at the time of application submission. Applications will not be reviewed by the graduate admission committee until the fee has been received and processed. If you are unable to apply via the online application, please contact the GSAS Admission office at gradschool@brandeis.edu.

Application Fee Waivers

Select populations are eligible for an application fee waiver via the online application. Please refer to the GSAS website for the most up-to-date list of eligible organizations and institutions. All other applicants must submit an application fee. Fee waivers based on financial hardship will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

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 the student's previous record, particularly in the proposed area of study; the letters of recommendation submitted in support of the application; and the student's 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 (if provided/required), 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 the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences which applicants should be selected for admission and financial aid. The Dean reviews 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 non-refundable enrollment deposit of $300 must be paid by each master's degree or post-baccalaureate program applicant upon notification of acceptance (unless otherwise indicated in the offer of admission). This deposit reserves a place in the class and is credited toward the first semester tuition bill.

If the admitted student fails to enroll or withdraws the application, the enrollment deposit is not refunded. If an admitted student declines 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.

Admitted students must provide the Graduate School office with official copies of all transcripts, including an official, final transcript of their undergraduate record. Admission offers may revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, material omission of fact, dishonesty, violation of University standards in the application for admission, violation of University academic standards, or any other pre-matriculation misconduct.

Students who are accepted are required to complete and return a medical questionnaire and a health insurance form. Registration is conditional upon receipt of these required forms. Additional information, including requirements to enroll, can be found on the Admitted Students Checklist.

Admission Deferrals and Reapplying to the Graduate School

If, after having been admitted, students who cannot attend should notify the Graduate School as soon as possible in writing:

1. Should a PhD student wish to be admitted in a subsequent academic year, the student must reapply in full. Doctoral students are typically not eligible to defer their enrollment.

2. Master's and postbaccalaureate students admitted into a program may apply for a maximum one-year deferral of their enrollment: Deferrals of admissions to master's and post-baccalaureate programs are not guaranteed. Students should submit a request, in writing, to the Graduate School and should provide a $300 enrollment deposit. Updates on the deferral process will be provided in writing from the Graduate School. Original financial awards (if any) are not guaranteed and will be reassessed if the deferral is granted.

Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply in a later year, particularly if they have had further training or new information that would strengthen their applications.

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. Brandeis University reserves the right to deny admission or permission to register or require the withdrawal of any student at any time for any reason it considers sufficient, including but not limited to character and personal conduct.

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 ultimately be accepted as a candidate for a graduate degree. Superior performance at Brandeis is essential. 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.

International Students

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 apply for admission and financial assistance at Brandeis, which is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Diagnostic Language Proficiency Test

If outlined as a requirement in the applicant's admission decision letter, an international graduate student must take a diagnostic language proficiency test upon arrival to campus. This diagnostic test aims to identify weaknesses in one's academic English language skills that may interfere with course work, teaching, and research at Brandeis. After taking this diagnostic test, students will receive the results, which will not affect one's status as an admitted graduate student, but may require a student to enroll in English Language Program (ELP) class.

English Language Program (ELP) Classes

Normally, courses in oral communication skills and written skills are offered in the fall and spring semesters (classes are listed in the University Bulletin). These ELP courses focus on English for academic purposes, integrated with graduate study skills needed at a major research university. Students receive credit/no credit, where credit is granted for satisfactory work and no credit is granted for unsatisfactory work. Credit is awarded if all requirements are met at an acceptable level and the student attends at least 90% of the class meetings.

Financial Aid

Financial aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships is available to outstanding PhD students. Tuition grants are also available on the basis of need and/or merit to master's degree students. However, the total assistance offered usually covers only a portion of the student's expenses, therefore master's degree students must be prepared to show proof of financial support upon admission to their program.

Employment

The regulations of the United States Department of Homeland Security strictly limit 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.

Requirements for the Degree

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 credit are listed in the relevant program sections of this Bulletin.

Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education

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 courses of approved study in the fall and spring semesters. 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.

Students serving as Course Assistants are considered responsible reporters under Title IX and will be required to participate in relevant training prior to serving as a Course Assistant.

Students entering graduate programs with a master's thesis requirement must electronically deposit their thesis to the Brandeis Institutional Repository.

When a justifiable and legitimate reason is presented, a limited-term embargo will be granted. In order to petition for an embargo, contact GSAS.

The master's degree must be earned within three 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 courses in the fall and spring semesters at the graduate level, and must meet the specific requirements for the degree as set forth under "Musicology and Music Composition and Theory, 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. Students entering graduate programs with a master's thesis requirement must electronically deposit their thesis to the Brandeis Institutional Repository.

When a justifiable and legitimate reason is presented, a limited-term embargo will be granted. In order to petition for an embargo, contact GSAS.

In order to qualify for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in theater arts, the candidate must complete a three-year residency in 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. Students serving as Teaching Assistants or Teaching Fellows are considered responsible reporters under Title IX and will be required to participate in relevant training prior to serving as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow.

To be eligible for the PhD 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 petition the Graduate School for an extension no later than the final semester prior to the expiration of their time to graduate. Petitions for extensions will be sent to eligible students in the last semester of their eighth year of study. These completed petitions must be returned to the Graduate School by the date specified on the petition. Students no longer eligible for additional extensions will receive a letter stating that they must finish their degree by the close of the summer term.

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

Joint degree programs allow students to pursue two courses of study and earn a single degree. Interdisciplinary in design, the joint MA degree in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a discipline aims to give MA and PhD students a solid grounding in their discipline-specific program while offering them the tools with which to incorporate Women's, Gender, and Sexuality 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 PhD, is available in several programs that are listed in the "Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies" section of the catalog. Consult the relevant sections of this Bulletin regarding the joint PhD degree program in 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.

The time to degree parameters for joint degrees remain the same—no additional time is granted for a student undertaking a joint degree course of study.

Dual Degrees

Dual degree programs allow students to pursue two courses of study and earn two separate degrees.

Our dual degree programs are: Dual Degree of Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts (Hornstein MA in Jewish Professional Leadership); Dual Degree of Master of Public Policy/Master of Arts (Hornstein MA in Jewish Professional Leadership); Dual Degree of Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Dual Degree of Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership; Dual Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership and Master of Education in Jewish Educational Leadership.

Consult the relevant sections of this Bulletin for more information about each program.

The time to degree parameters for dual degrees remain the same—no additional time is granted for a student undertaking a dual degree course of study.

Degrees in Passing

Students enrolled in a PhD 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 and if that program allows for a master’s in passing. Students are limited to only one master's degree in passing. A thesis may be required for the master’s in passing. Students should check with their department for requirements. 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. If a student leaves a PhD program, they can request a terminal master’s degree if they have fulfilled all the requirements for the particular master’s degree.

Application for Graduate Degrees

Candidates for graduate degrees must electronically file an application with the University Registrar per the specified dates in the academic calendar in the year in which the degree 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.

In case of failure or withdrawal from candidacy in any year, the student must reapply by filing a new application in a later year.

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 or program; one must be tenured; and one must come from another department or from outside the university. An emeritus faculty member at Brandeis may serve as one of the committee members from the student’s own department or, if this faculty member is emeritus in another department, the faculty member may serve as the outside reader. Both situations are subject to the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Should an inside reader, already committed to a dissertation reading committee, leave Brandeis for an appointment at another institution, this faculty member may be given a courtesy appointment in the department at Brandeis so that he or she may continue to serve on the committee as an advisor. However, this faculty member with a courtesy appointment cannot serve as the dissertation chair as the chair must be a current member of the faculty in the student’s department. The student's principal advisor 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. Students must also turn in their Dissertation Examining Committee Form to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at least two weeks prior to the scheduled defense.

The Graduate School will post to the online events calendar 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 physically present. If all committee members cannot be present at the defense, the student and committee need to contact the Dean of the Graduate School to discuss the situation and determine the best course of action for the defense.

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 PhD 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.

The PhD Dissertation Defense Form is to be brought to the student’s defense and 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. The committee will also specify on the Defense Form whether revisions to the dissertation are necessary before final acceptance.

If the dissertation examining committee requires "substantial 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.

If the dissertation examining committee requires "minor revisions" (e.g., stylistic changes, correction of typographical errors and re-formatting), the committee will indicate on the Defense Form whether the revisions may be reviewed and approved by the dissertation committee chair alone or require the full committee's approval. If these revisions are not made within three months of the dissertation defense, the dissertation is automatically reclassified as one requiring "substantial revisions" and subject to its six-month deadline (i.e., if after an additional three months the dissertation has not been approved by the committee and successfully deposited, there must be a re-defense).

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. The dissertation must have the signed approval of the dissertation supervisor and readers, and it must comply with the publishing and formatting guidelines outlined by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which may be different from department guidelines. Submission of the dissertation to and acceptance by the Graduate School constitutes the completion of degree requirements.

Bibliographic citations and abstracts will be published in ProQuest, online, CD-ROM and microfiche. 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. Students submitting their dissertations to the Brandeis Institutional Repository will see their dissertations published online once degrees are conferred. These dissertations will be made available to the academic community through Open Access.

Detailed instructions for submitting dissertations are available from the Graduate School office or GSAS website under Resources for Students section. See also the statement in this Bulletin, under "Fees and Expenses," on the final doctoral fee.

Academic Regulations

Registration

Every resident, post-resident, extended master's 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.

Students enrolled in full-time degree programs are required to enroll in and maintain a minimum academic load of 12 credits per semester. The maximum credit load is 20 credits per semester. If there is a justifiable reason for a student to enroll in more than 20 credits, they must contact GSAS and ask for an exception to this limit.

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 receive credit towards fulfillment of their graduate program for an undergraduate course (numbered below 100) unless the Petition to Receive Graduate Credit form has been filed with the Registrar's office.

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.

Auditing Courses

The privilege of auditing courses without fee is extended to all regularly enrolled, full-time graduate students. Part-time degree students and non-degree special students may audit a course but will be charged the same rate as a course 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.

The option of auditing courses is not available during the summer term.

Credit/No Credit Grading Option for Graduate Students

These policy changes for Brandeis graduate students are effective for Spring semester 2020 only.

Graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may elect to cover any number of grades from Spring 2020 that are a B- or higher with a CR once they have seen their grade in a particular course: CR would cover B- or higher and NC for anything lower. If a GSAS student elects to take the CR/NC option for a required course, we strongly encourage programs in GSAS to allow the course with a CR grade to satisfy the program requirements.
The deadline for covering a Spring 2020 grade with a CR are May 13th for graduating students; August 21st for students graduating in August; and October 15th for all other graduate students. Once a Spring 2020 grade has been posted, students may email registrar@brandeis.edu to request the grade be covered with a CR or NC.

Change of Courses

Students are allowed to drop courses, with permission from the instructor, after the end of the registration period. To do so, students obtain a consent code from their instructor and enter the code number when completing the online drop process in Sage. Courses may be dropped by the published deadline on the Academic Calendar found on the Registrar's website.

Examinations and Exam Absences

A detailed final examination schedule of all final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar is published each semester around the mid-term period.

Final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar must be given during the scheduled final examination period and may not be taken by any student prior to the scheduled time.

Students and faculty should confirm the date and time of final examinations, once the detailed schedule is published, prior to making any travel arrangements.

Students who are absent from a midyear or final examination without an excused absence will receive a failing grade on the examination. No students may be excused from an examination unless an emergency arises or there are documented medical issues. 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 no later than the make-up examination period at the beginning of the next semester.

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. However for the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Studies program letter grades of C+ and C are considered to be satisfactory. A course in which the student receives an unsatisfactory grade will not be counted toward graduate credit.

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 graduate student who has not completed the work (exams, papers, etc.) 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. All work for an incomplete must be submitted in the following term, no later than the date published in the academic calendar for the term. In exceptional circumstances, an instructor may request an extension of the deadline from the University Registrar.

An EI that is not resolved by the deadline in the Academic Calendar will automatically become a permanent incomplete (recorded as "I" on the transcript). A student cannot carry more than three EIs at a time. If a student has accumulated more than two permanent incompletes, their academic record will be flagged for review during the readmission process at the end of the spring term.

Credit for Work Done Elsewhere

Graduate level courses taken prior to matriculation at Brandeis may be applied toward the fulfillment of graduate course requirements and may reduce the residence requirement for programs with a 2-year or longer residency.

The Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees with less than a 2-year residence requirement do not accept transfer credit to reduce the residence requirement, 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. For the Master of Fine Arts, and other Master's degree programs with a two-year residence requirement, a maximum of one term of residence credit for graduate-level courses may be transferred toward fulfillment of the residence requirement.

The post-baccalaureate programs do not accept transfer credit.

Students in PhD programs may file an application to have graduate-level courses counted toward fulfillment of residence requirements at Brandeis. 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. The External Transfer Credit Form is available on the Office of the University Registrar's website in the 'Forms' section. This form should be submitted to the student's program for approval and then submitted the Office of the University Registrar.

Graduate Cross-Registration

Babson College, Bentley University, Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University, the Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies at MIT and Regis College participate in our cross-registration consortium. A full-time graduate student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may enroll in one graduate cross-registered course each term.

A Brandeis student who wishes to enroll in a course at one of these schools 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. The transfer of credit to Brandeis for work done elsewhere requires approval by the student’s program, the registrar and the Graduate School. A grade of B- or better is also required.

Any part-time graduate student in a degree program is allowed to participate in cross-registration. Students may only take one cross-registration course a semester, and are required to take at least one full-semester Brandeis course in addition to the cross-registered course. Students may only enroll in one cross-registration course per semester of residency.

Due to differences in academic calendars among the colleges in the consortium, it is not advisable for degree candidates to enroll in a cross-registered course in their final semester.

A course may also be taken without the expectation that credit will transfer because it complements a student’s program, is taught by outstanding faculty at the host institution or will advance a student’s graduate studies in some other way.

To enroll in a graduate course at one of the host institutions, obtain a cross registration petition from the Brandeis Registrar's office and present this petition to the Office of the University Registrar of the host institution.

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, Master of Science and Master of Education within four years, the Master of Fine Arts within five years, or complete the postbaccalaureate program 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.

Academic Residence Requirements

Residence requirements for all full-time graduate degrees are determined by the number of terms and credits required to complete the degree. Part-time residency is determined by the amount of credits required to complete the degree.

Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education

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. Programs with one or two year residency requirements may take an additional one or two semesters as an extended master's student. Transfer credit may not normally be applied to residence requirements for the MA and MS degrees.

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 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.

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 PhD degree.

Full-Time Resident Students

The expectation for a full-time student is that they are singularly focused on their program of graduate study during the course of the academic year. A full-time student is enrolled in at least 12 credits per term. 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 PhD dissertations, as well as regular course work. On-campus employment (any combination of instructional, research or administrative duties) is limited to twenty hours per week.

A full-time resident student may take up to 20 credits per term, 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 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. However, moving from full-time to part-time status can have significant loan or visa status implications, so students should consult with the appropriate financial aid staff and the ISSO before requesting this change.

Many master's and post-baccalaureate programs allow students to apply as part-time students at the time of admission.

Post-Resident PhD Students

A PhD graduate student who has completed residence requirements but still must complete other degree requirements before advancing to the dissertation stage. 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.

A post-resident student and should register for CONT 500a (Graduate Research).

Continuation Students

A PhD 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.

Continuation students must enroll in CONT 500a (Graduate Research).

Extended Master’s Students

A graduate student in a Master’s program who has completed the residence requirements and who needs to utilize the full range of academic services and university facilities while completing degree requirements is an Extended Master’s student and should register for the appropriate courses required to complete their program.

Students in this category may register for content courses and/or complete their thesis or research paper/project required for their degree. In most cases, students cannot exceed two semesters on Extended Master’s status. Summer term registration does not count towards the two semester limit.

A student who is completing a required thesis or paper/research project should register for CONT 200A. If the program requires a specific thesis or paper/research course the student will need to register for that course at some point during their career in order to receive a grade. A student who does not have a thesis or paper/research project may not register for CONT 200A but may register for content courses.

Graduate Summer Term

GSAS Graduate Summer Term exists for students in several categories.

Master's students in the programs listed below are required to register for summer and should complete registration through SAGE self-service:

Master's students in the Genetic Counseling program are required to participate in a clinical internship and should register for BIOL 212a and BIOL 213a. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement. The summer registration fee will be waived.
Master's students in the Biotechnology program are required to participate in an internship and should register for BIOT 212a. Contact Neil Simister for the instructor approval code. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement. The summer registration fee will be waived.
Master's students in the Ed.M. and MAT in Education programs as well as the AGS in Teacher Leadership should register for the courses determined by your program. Contact Manuel Tuan for the instructor approval code. Full-time MAT tuition will be charged.
Master's students in the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership program should register for courses in consultation with your program advisor. Half-semester tuition will be charged.

PhD students in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, or Computer Science are required to register for summer and will be enrolled by the Registrar.

PhD students in the Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science programs 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 will be enrolled in CONT 250b by the Registrar's office. Registration for Graduate Summer Term does not count toward the residency requirement. The summer registration fee will be waived.

Students who intend to complete their degree program for an August degree must be enrolled in the summer.

PhD Degree Candidates: You are required to register for CONT 250b and will be enrolled automatically by the Registrar's office upon approval of your application for an August degree. The summer registration fee will be waived for Ph.D. candidates.
Master's Degree Candidates: You are required to register for CONT 200a and will be enrolled automatically by the Registrar's office upon approval of your application for an August degree. Should your Master’s Program have a corresponding final paper/thesis/project course per degree requirements, you should simultaneously enroll in that course if you have not already taken that course. You will be billed as a Summer Extended Master’s student. Note that students who complete all program requirements for an August degree prior to the start of the summer term will be registered for CONT200a by the Registrar’s office but will be eligible for a summer tuition credit. These students should inform the graduate school of their plans in early May and must submit their thesis to the Brandeis Institutional Repository (BIR) at least 1 week prior to the beginning of the summer term.

Brandeis Summer School

Students who are pursuing a Master’s degree or Post-baccalaureate credit 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 towards their degree requirements. Students should register for Summer School courses by contacting Richard Cunnane in the Registrar's office and NOT enroll in courses via the Summer School website.

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.

Post-baccalaureate Students

A post-baccalaureate student is a student who holds a bachelor's degree and is working in an approved course of study in one of the following areas: pre-medical studies, mathematics, and studio art.

Post-baccalaureate 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 towards a degree may be admitted. Special students are normally not eligible for university loans, scholarships, fellowships, or teaching or research assistantships. Special students must have earned an undergraduate degree, conferred from an accredited university, prior to submitting an application.

Special students who later wish to pursue a degree on a full- or part-time basis must apply for admission as resident students. They must also file a special petition with their academic department if they wish to receive credit for any courses taken while a special student and have it apply to their graduate program. 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.

Leave of Absence

Students may petition for a leave of absence using the form available on the GSAS website. 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 as indicated on the leave of absence petition form. A student who has been granted a leave of absence is not considered an active student during the leave. Time spent on authorized leaves of absence will not be counted toward the maximum time permitted to complete degree requirements.

Should a student need to go on leave for medical reasons, he or she can petition for a medical leave of absence by completing the appropriate form and submitting the required note from a healthcare/psychological service provider. Medical leaves of absence are typically granted for up to one year and students must follow the required steps to return from medical leave one month prior to the start of the semester they are expected back at the Graduate School. These steps will be outlined in a letter to the student upon approval of going on medical leave.

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.

Withdrawal

A student who wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the Graduate School during a semester must do so by completing the change of status form and having it approved by 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 their 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, the student will be informed of current status regarding credits and time to degree.

Fees and Expenses

Payment of tuition and other fees is due on August 2, 2019, for the fall semester and December 13, 2019, 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 semester's charges to be paid in 5 equal monthly installments. Nelnet has contracted with Brandeis to administer the monthly payment plan. The application and a nonrefundable handling fee of $45 per semester must be returned to Nelnet or enrollment completed online by the published semester due dates. The payment plan electronic withdrawals will begin on July 15, 2019 for the fall and December 15, 2019 for the spring. Please note that the payment plan must be set up separately for each semester.

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 or dismissal. The university may refuse to transfer credits or issue an official transcript. Brandeis University may refer delinquent accounts to a collection agency. Students are responsible for paying the collection agency fee, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 40 percent of any delinquent account, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, necessary for the collection of any delinquent account. Delinquent accounts may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus.

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 debt to the university may not be reinstated until such debt is paid in full.

Every student is required to complete a Financial Responsibility Agreement at least once each academic semester. Any student who fails to complete this agreement prior to the start of classes will be denied the privileges of attending classes and using university facilities.

Application Fee: $75

Payable by all applicants for admission at the time the application for admission is submitted. It is not refundable. No application for admission will be processed until this fee is paid. There is a one-time fee waiver for Brandeis students and alumni, as well as members of other groups as outlined in the previous section, Admission; Applying to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Application Fee Waivers.

Enrollment Deposit: $300

Payable by a master's degree or post-baccalaureate applicant upon acceptance of offer of admission. 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 and Fees

The fees for tuition in the Graduate School for 2019-2020 are as follows:

Full-time resident students: $51,940 per year, or $25,970 per term.

Post-resident students: $3,248 per year, or $1,624 per term.

Extended Master's students: $6,492 per semester.

Continuation fee: $1,624 per year, or $812 per term.

Post-baccalaureate studio art students: $21,300 per year, or $10,650 per term.

Master of Arts in Teaching students: $8,646 per term.

Master of Education Teacher Leadership students: $6,226 per term.

Master of Science, genetic counseling and biotechnology students: $38,956 per year, or $19,478 per term.

Postbaccalaureate program in premedical studies students: $9,222 per term.

Special students, postbaccalaureate students in mathematics, and part-time resident students: $6,492 per course, per term or $1,623 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.

Premedical Post-baccalaureate Program Fee

Medical school application processing fee: $100, one-time fee payable on entrance.

Graduate Activity fee: $120, or $60 per term.

Orientation Fee: $44

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 PhD degree will be conferred, including the 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 and a microfiche for the Brandeis library. The final doctoral fee also covers the cost of the diploma.

Note: All candidates for the PhD 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: $30

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

Current and former students should request official transcripts of their records from the Office of the University Registrar. At this time, students can order official paper transcripts free of charge. Brandeis University has partnered with the National Student Clearinghouse to allow current and former students to obtain official electronic transcripts to be sent to themselves or a third party in a secure manner. The fee for an electronic transcript is $2.25 - $4.00. This fee is payable directly to the National Student Clearinghouse. Official transcripts will be issued only to those students whose financial records with the university are in order.

Student Health Insurance Plan (single coverage): $2,999

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. All international students at Brandeis University are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance. 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: $45 per 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 after the refund deadline has passed. 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:

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.
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.
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.
Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Funds

When a student withdraws during a period in which he or she is receiving Tuition Assistance funds, the amount of funds that must be returned to the program is based solely on the length of time the student was enrolled prior to withdrawing.

The amount of funds earned by the student is directly proportional to time enrolled, through 60 percent of the period of enrollment. After 60 percent, the student is considered to have earned all aid. Unearned Tuition Assistance aid must be returned to the program.

Refund Policy for Dropped Courses

A student who is paying per course is allowed a refund following this schedule:

Full semester-long course

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.
Module courses

On or before the 10th day of instruction for the module session: 100 percent of the dropped course's tuition fee. See the Academic Calendar page on the Registrar's site includes a link to the list of class meeting dates for a module session.

After the 10th day of instruction for the module session: no refund.

Housing

There is no graduate housing available on campus.

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, 415 South St, Waltham, MA 02453-2728 or email the Graduate School financial aid counselor.

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) would most likely create a balance due on your account. This balance would be due and payable before the cancellation is processed. We will not reduce loans if they create a balance due.

Financial Assistance

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 or financial need that will be applied directly to tuition. Full scholarships and partial scholarships are available. Students who receive scholarships are liable for any charges not covered by their award.

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 PhD degree.

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.

PhD students receiving full stipend funding from Brandeis will be limited to 20 hours per week of employment at Brandeis, including all employment completed as part of their PhD program.

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. Interested students should speak with their department administrator or chair of the graduate program about the availability of these positions.

Need-Based Scholarships

A limited number of need-based scholarships may be available for master's degree candidates and Mathematics post-baccalaureate students who are enrolled at least half-time. Students may apply for need-based scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a domestic student or the CSS Profile as an international student.

Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loans are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program and who demonstrate need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Only the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to graduate students. Applicants must file the FAFSA to qualify for this loan. Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 per year in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds. Dependent post-baccalaureate program students may borrow up to $5,500 for one consecutive 12-month period and independent post-baccalaureate students may borrow up to $12,500. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for federal loans beyond their first year of study. The maximum aggregate borrowing limit for the graduate students (including undergraduate borrowing) is $138,500, with no more than $65,500 in subsidized loan funds. The aggregate limit for post-baccalaureate students is $31,000 with a maximum of $23,000 subsidized for dependent students, and $57,500 with a maximum of $23,000 subsidized for independent students.

The interest rate on the Stafford Loan for the 19-20 academic year will be a fixed rate of 6.08 percent and the origination fee will be 1.062 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. (Please go to www.studentloans.gov for information about alternate repayment plans.) Students are required to pay the interest on the unsubsidized Stafford Loan during the in-school period, or have it capitalized and added to the loan balance.

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. For the 19-20 academic year, the PLUS Loan will have a fixed interest rate of 7.08 percent and an origination fee of 4.248 percent. Go to www.studentloans.gov to apply for this loan.

Borrowers of the Federal Direct Stafford Loan, and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, must complete the required promissory notes and entrance counseling online at the beginning of their entering semester upon receipt of correspondence from the Office of Student Financial Services. Anticipated credits on a student's account will be cancelled if all required steps are not completed.