Frequently Asked Questions: Academic Advising
When should I register for classes?
On-campus and online students should register as soon as possible after registration opens, as admission to classes is on a first-come, first-served basis. See the academic calendar for web registration and walk-in, mail-in dates, and drop/add periods. Off-campus students are registered automatically after the first course of their program.
What can I use the Lesley Online Information Service to do?
New students will receive a login and password for the Lesley Online Information Service (LOIS), which allows them to view course offerings for particular semesters and up-to-date course status information, register for courses (if you are an on-campus or online student; off-campus students will be automatically registered for all courses after the first one) and receive immediate confirmation of registration requests, view financial aid information, see grades, update personal profiles, see class schedules, and find the name of their faculty advisor, among other things. Students may contact the Registrar's office, at 617.349.8740if they have not received their login information.
Once I have registered for a course, what happens if the course time or location changes, or if I want to drop it and add another course?
Students should check the "my schedule" portion of LOIS for up-to-date course status information or to add and drop courses.
What happens if a course is closed when I try to register?
Students should add themselves to the waitlist by using LOIS or through the Registrar's office. Waitlists are reviewed throughout the registration period. Students will be contacted regarding their status on the waitlist sometime during this period. Students should also contact their assistant director to make an alternative plan for their coursework.
What should I do if I find there is a hold on my registration?
Occasionally, a registration will be held up due to payment or financial aid issues or because a student has not completed health insurance or immunization requirements. While there is a hold, you will not be able to register, so contact the Student Accounts Office as soon as possible, at 617.349.8760. For inquiries about immunization, contact the Office of Student life at 617.349.8543.
How do I withdraw from a class?
Students withdraw from classes through the Registrar's office. In addition, students should inform their assistant director and, for off-campus students, their site coordinator. See the University withdrawal policy for on-campus students and for off-campus students. See also the Tuition Refund Policies page, which provides the refund policies for on-campus, off-campus, online, and PhD programs.
What if I am unable to attend class due to emergency or illness?
See the School of Education attendance policy. In addition: if possible, please inform the course instructor before class.
How will I receive my final grade for each class?
Grades are available through LOIS. Grade reports are not mailed to students. See the academic calendar for grade deadlines.
What is a passing grade?
For graduate degree students at the Master's, CAGS, or PhD levels, a grade of B- or better in all core or required courses must be received in order to count towards degree requirements. A student must retake core or required courses for which a grade of C+ or below was earned. Graduate students may earn a maximum of three (3) credits of C+ grades in elective courses and have these apply toward degree requirements. A grade of C or below in elective courses is considered a failing grade and will not be applicable toward degree requirements. Elective courses may be repeated or another elective course may be added as a substitute. All grades will be recorded on a student's transcript. See the complete grading policy.
May I retake a course in which I did poorly?
Yes, a student may retake a course to improve a grade. Please note that while the grade of the first course will appear on the transcript, only the second grade will be counted toward the number of credits completed and will be used in computing the cumulative average. Students who retake a course are required to reregister and pay for the course.
What is the difference between full-time and part-time status?
For financial aid purposes, part-time status is considered to be at least three (3) credits per semester, and full-time is considered to be nine (9) credits or more (effective Fall 2009).
I am an on-campus student. How many credits can I take in a semester?
A typical course load for fall and spring is 12 credits. The maximum per semester for fall and spring is 15 credits, and for summer, 10 credits. Students should check with their assistant director for academic advising for specific academic guidelines regarding course load for their program.
What do I have to do to take a semester off?
If professional or personal circumstances preclude enrollment in classes, matriculating students must apply for a leave of absence, which extends the time allowed to complete a program and assures academic coherence. See the Leave of Absence policy. You will need to complete a Leave of Absence form and return it to your assistant director for academic advising.
Can I transfer in credits that I have earned at another university? What about taking courses at another college after I've been admitted to my Lesley program?
You may be able to transfer in credits earned prior to attending Lesley. Please read the Transfer of Credits policy. To complete the transfer process, complete a transfer form (available from the Registrar's office by mail or walk-in or from your assistant director), and submit it, with a syllabus, course description, and official transcript, to your assistant director for academic advising. Once admitted to a Lesley program, students may not take courses at other institutions for transfer credit without prior written approval from the appropriate school dean.
Can I waive courses whose content I have already covered in my previous studies?
You may be able to waive the course requirement, and then make up the credits with an elective of your choice. See the Course Waiver policy for more details, and contact your assistant director to initiate the process as well as to obtain a course waiver form (also available from the Registrar's office).
Are there merit-based or program-specific scholarships or graduate assistantships available?
A certain number of Dean's Merit Scholarships are available to full-time students beginning in the fall. You may also wish to consider a graduate assistantship. There is also a Timocracy Scholarship awarded to a successful applicant enrolled in a Massachusetts Initial licensure program in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. See the Graduate School of Education scholarships page, or visit the Financial Aid website.